Red Wine and Garlic Sirloin Tip Roast

I love when I walk into the meat market and the butcher tells me what's on sale because it provides such inspiration!  Plus, I like to save a buck or two!  Who doesn't, right?!

Red wine.  Let's talk red wine.  I needed an excuse to break open a bottle.   Truly, I did.  I used half for this roast and the other half?  Well, let's just say it was put to good use ;)

If you've never had a sirloin tip roast before, you're missing out.  They are super lean and cook up beautifully!  This recipe is fool proof.  I mean, seriously, it's one of my easiest recipes to throw together, so ANYONE can do this!

Let's talk garlic now.  I absolutely adore garlic.  Garlic and red wine make a mighty fine team, let me tell ya!  I left all my garlic cloves whole for this recipe, but I kind wished I had thrown them into my food processor and SLATHERED the yumminess all over my roast.  When I make this again, that's what I plan to do.  So, make this recipe as is below, OR do as I just mentioned.  I think you'll find the extra step totally garlicriffic! ;)

Servings: 4-6 

Ingredients:

24 oz. mini yellow potatoes
2.5 lb. sirloin tip roast
20 garlic cloves

2 cups baby carrots

1 head green cabbage, cut into chunks

2 cups red wine

salt and pepper to taste

Directions: (Use a 7 quart Slow Cooker for this recipe.)

Place the potatoes and half of the garlic cloves into the bottom of your crock.

Next. place the sirloin tip roast on top and salt and pepper well on both sides.

Place the remaining garlic cloves on top of the roast.

Place the carrots around the roast.

Place the cabbage on top and salt and pepper it.

Pour the red wine over the top.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

Enjoy!

Mexican Shredded Beef

After the "race to the finish line" with the cookbook, I was exhausted.  I literally took 2 weeks of from any cooking whatsoever!  My husband is a saint.  He took care of it all for me.  

When I got back to cooking (finally!) I decided something super easy was a great way to dip my toes back in ;)  So, I came up with this SUPER easy Mexican Shredded Beef!

You throw a few ingredients in your crock, shred the beef when it's done and dinner is ready!  This beef is so versatile you can eat it many different ways.  You can eat it on nachos, in tacos, burritos, on a salad, over rice, over quinoa, etc.

Did I mention it's only 4 ingredients????  Just sayin'!

Servings: 10-12 

Ingredients:
3-4 lb. boneless chuck roast
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies (hot or mild)
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 1/2 cups salsa

Directions: (Use a 3-4 Quart slow cooker)

Place the roast into your crock and pour the contents of the green chilies (juices too) over the roast and add the garlic.

Pour the salsa over the top.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, r on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

After the cook time is up, remove the beef and shred it between 2 forks.  Stir it back through the juices or for a lower fat version, just remove the beef, shred it and add in just a little juice. (That's what we did)

Serve this however you would like!

Enjoy!

Fiesta Lime Shredded Beef - Gluten-Free

As I was wondering around the grocery store, I came across the Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning.....the rest is history!

This meat becomes SO incredibly tender and just literally falls apart when it's done!  The flavor is amazing!  The Fiesta Lime seasoning is perfect.  It brings such great flavor mixed with the salsa.  Such simple ingredients...yet packed with so much flavor.  These are my favorite kinds of recipes!  Beware there is a lot of fat on the chuck roast, but it's really easy to separate from the meat.  I did it without a problem.

I served my beef over lettuce with lime infused Northern beans, fresh onions, salsa and sour cream on top.  It was seriously incredible!  This would be great in tacos, on enchiladas, on tostadas, in a burrito, on nachos, etc.

Servings: 10-12

Ingredients:

3-4 lb. boneless chuck roast

4 Tbsp. Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning

1/4 cup lime juice

1/2 cup minced red onion

3/4 cup salsa (fresh is best)

Directions:

Rub the Fiesta Lime seasoning all over both sides of the roast.

Add the onions and salsa on top.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

Shred the beef, separating the fat and discarding it.  Place the beef back into the crock and stir with all the juices.

Serve whichever way you choose and ENJOY!

Taco Chili - Gluten-Free

This darn Polar Vortex is brutal!  I mean, I've had more windchill days than snow days this year!  Actually, I've had more snow/windchill days this year than in my past 10 years of teaching!  As I sit here to type this, we're having our 6th windchill/snow day of the school year and it's only the end of January.  We still have to make it through February.  And I live in the Metro Detroit area, so the people North of me have used A LOT more snow/windchill days than us! 

Polar Vortex coldness calls for nice warm comfort food!  With the weather being this cold, we've been trying to use what we have in the house instead of rushing to the store for an ingredient or two.  I hate bundling the kids up and taking them in and out of the car when I don't have to.  So, this chili came from only things I had around the house.  I had actually bought about 2 1/2 lbs. of lean ground beef on sale a couple days before and I needed to use it up.  I cooked all 3 lbs. and cooked it.  I used only about 3/4 lb. for my chili (since I was going to use beans too) and seasoned the rest with my homemade taco seasoning, separated it into 2 freezer bags and froze it for nachos/tacos/taco salads.  Since I already had the taco seasoning out, I decided it would be the only seasoning I would use in my chili.  I mean, why not?  I know it's VERY LOW in sodium and VERY tasty.  The chili turned out PERFECTLY......way better than I thought it would be! 

My husband and kids ate this right up!  Actually, usually everyone complains about having to eat leftover the next day, but not this time.  Gavin (2.5 yo) told me "I need to hab dat chiwi momma."  That's what I like to hear.  He "needed" it.  LOL  It's a huge hit in my house and I know I'll be making it again soon!

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped

1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (you can use 1/2 cup raw kidney beans, but you have to soak overnight and boil....we only soaked and they were still crunchy.....and "gassy" LOL)

3/4 lb. lean ground beef or turkey, cooked
1 pkg. low sodium taco seasoning (or use my recipe for taco seasoning in this post, but halve it)

15 oz. tomato sauce

12 oz. tomato paste

2 - 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes

3 cups water

Directions:

In your crock, place the onion and ground beef.

Next, add in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste.

 Add in the taco seasoning.....

 and the water and beans.  Give it a stir.

Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (8-10 if using dry beans), or on HIGH for 3-4 hours (4-6 if using dry beans)

Top with a little bit of shredded cheese and maybe even a dollop of non-fat plain greek yogurt for some extra goodness!

Enjoy!

Homemade Barbecue Shredded Beef over Sweet Potatoes

Since I've been on this health kick, it's been a while since I've had anything barbecue at all!  I missed it!  Barbecue sauce is high in sugar and if I want to cut down on belly fat, I have to keep my sugar intake to a minimum.  I didn't feel guilty eating this barbecue sauce because I know EXACTLY what's in it and I could control it.  I'm here to tell you it doesn't lack flavor AT ALL!  It is equally, if not more delicious than using a store-bought barbecue sauce.  And honestly, it wasn't that hard.  It maybe took me a whole 5 extra minutes.  Maybe.  Without stopping to take pictures, it would have taken me less time.

If I can do this, YOU CAN TOO!  You know I'm going to walk you through it!  Take a risk and WOW your family with a homemade barbecue pulled beef!  We had guests over and they loved it too!  

I served this beef over baked sweet potatoes because honestly, I don't care very much for gluten-free bread.  Sweet potatoes are a very healthy alternative and are naturally sweet, making this even more delicious.  Pair this with a nice salad with 1/4 of an avocado sliced on top and a nice balsamic vinegar dressing and you have yourself one amazingly healthy and delicious meal!  

If you're not gluten-free, my husband suggests this over sub buns with some provolone cheese melted on top!

Servings: 10-14

Ingredients:

6 lb. beef roast (I had this giant guy in my freezer from my cookbook photo shoot-you can use smaller if you need!)

15 oz. can tomato sauce

12. oz. can tomato paste

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup organic maple syrup

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 Tbsp. garlic powder

1 onion, minced

Directions:( Use a 6-7 Quart slow cooker for this recipe)

In a bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion.

Place the beef roast in your crock.

Pour your homemade barbecue sauce over the top.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

Shred the beef with two forks and work it back through the sauce.

Serve over baked sweet potatoes.

Enjoy!

Italian Beef Stew - Gluten-Free

On Halloween, we went to our neighbors' house for dinner.  Tracy served us a delicious beef stew.  I ate two bowls.  It was perfect for a cold, wet night!

Well, I couldn't stop thinking about it.  So, of course I had to try and recreate it!  LOL  One of the things she did, I've never thought of.  She told me she left the roast whole as it cooked, then cut it up.  So, I tried it!  Wow!!!  The meat was so tender and juicy!!!  Let's face it, sometimes the beef in stew can be "tough."  This was FAR from tough!  The exact opposite actually.  I don't think I'll ever made been stew with "stew meat" again!

This recipe has very few ingredients.  I tried to stick with the very basics.  Meat, potatoes, onions, carrots and some spices.  The list of ingredients look long because of the spices.  Don't let it fool you.  It's not time consuming to dump a bunch of spices into your crock ;)

Now, gather up those few simple ingredients and get that crock a cookin'!!!!

Servings: 8-10

Ingredients:

3-4 lb. chuck roast

5 potatoes, peeled and cubed

5-6 carrots, peeled, chopped

2 onions, halved and sliced

1 Tbsp. garlic powder

1 Tbsp. onion powder

2 Tbsp. oregano

1 Tbsp. salt

1 tsp. basil

1/4 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. celery seed

1/2 tsp. pepper

2 cups chicken broth (low sodium or no salt added)

6 1/2 cups water

Directions: (Use a 6.5 quart or larger slow cooker for this)

Place the roast in your slow cooker.

Add in the onions, potatoes and carrots.

Next, add in all the spices.

Lastly, add the broth and water.

Cook on LOW for 10 hours, or on HIGH for 5 hours.

Take the roast out and chop/shred it, then place it back into the broth and veggies.

Serve and Enjoy!

No Fail Barbecue Beef - Guest Post by 365 Days of Slow Cooking

This awesome 7 Ingredient recipe for "No Fail Barbecue Beef" comes from guest blogger, Karen Peterson of 365 Days of Slow Cooking.  With 7 Ingredients, you really can't go wrong!

Karen Petersen is a stay at home who began her slow cooking adventures in January 2009.  She decided to try 365 different slow cooker recipes over the course of one year.  She used her blog (365daysofcrockpot.com) to chart her progress and post the recipes, ratings and pictures.  After the initial year of slow cooking, she continued blogging and developing new recipes.  In March 2012, her cookbook "365 Days of Slow Cooking"  was published.  She enjoys thinking of new and innovative recipes for the slow cooker.  She plans to write another cookbook in the future.

No Fail Barbecue Beef

Doesn't that look delicious?!!!!  For this recipe, please head on over to 365 Days of Slow Cooking by clicking here.

No Alarm Chili - Guest Post

If you’re in need of new Chili ideas try this interesting Chili Recipe. It’s a hearty chili dish with a sweet tangy taste.  This recipe doesn't call for the slow cooker, but I would follow the directions as is, then let it cook 6 hours or so on LOW in your slow cooker!

No Alarm Chili

INGREDIENTS

·         1 pound extra lean ground beef (95% lean)

·         1 can (15 oz each) Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce

·         1 can (8 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce-No Salt Added

·         1 can (15 oz each) red kidney beans, drained, rinsed

·         2 teaspoons chili powder

·         1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

·         1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

DIRECTIONS

1.       Cook beef in large skillet over medium-high heat 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink, stirring occasionally; drain.

2.       Add all remaining ingredients; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Author Bio: James writes on behalf of Manwich. For other Ground Beef Recipes or Sloppy Joe sauce visit manwich.com. 

Kicked Up Crock Pot Pepper Steak - Guest Post from Mamma Maria's La Cucina

Personally, I love anything with sauce served over rice!  How can it be bad?!  LOL  This Pepper Steak from Mamma Maria's La Cucina looks scrumptious!  When you give it a try, come back and tell me how great it tasted!!!! And go give her facebook page a "like" and let her know I sent you!!!! ;)

A little bit about Mamma Maria......At the age of 10, Maria began cooking with her father and quickly developed a love for it!  She enjoys mix-matching different spices and ingredients in different combinations to make unique tastes. Maria is a work at home mommy who LOVES to cook!  Lucky for us, Mamma Maria has agreed to share several of her slow cooker recipes with us over the next few months!  I'm excited to share the first one with you!

Kicked Up Crock Pot Pepper Steak

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak, sliced very thin 
1/2 each of red, yellow & green bell peppers, sliced into julienne type strips * see photo 
2 medium onions, sliced in half then made into smaller slices * see photo 
1 8oz package of mushrooms, sliced 
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
salt pepper & garlic powder to taste to season the beef, not alot as you will be adding more 
1 teaspoon oil to coat beef
1 can or jar turkey gravy ( yup i said turkey ) 
1 beef bouillon cube
1 heaping teaspoon szechuan chili paste 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/2 cup tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce

Directions :

Turn your crock on for 8 hours on low ..... 
Slice your beef and set aside then chop the garlic, in a bowl mix the beef, oil, garlic powder s&p and set aside. 

Continue with cutting your vegetables. Once done with that, the crock will be slightly warm and add the beef into crock pot. Add the remaining vegetables, then seasonings and gravy & tomato sauce.

Mix well and cover and cook for 8 hours on low.

Serve with steamed rice * my suggestion for a side 

It has a very nice kick to it, so if you are feeding young children I suggest not adding the szechuan paste, unless they are accustomed to spicy foods. ** you can also add some to your own plate once you have served it up !!! 

For directions with step-by step pictures, click here.

Beef Stroganoff - Guest Post from "Just Short of Crazy"

Since I am busy writing cookbooks for all of you, I've invited some fellow bloggers and fans like you to help me out!  So, here is my first Guest Post from Deb Thompson of "Just Short of Crazy."

Deb is a professional travel and lifestyle blogger that calls northern Michigan home. Over a year ago she decided to pursue the things she loves and quit being a cog in a corporate wheel. To date, it has been one of her best decisions and she hasn’t looked back.When she’s not on a road trip, you’ll find her at home cooking, creating and enjoying the things she loves; social media, wine, reading, and photography. She has been married for 20+ years and has two teens (hence the semi-crazy). There is also 1 adorable dog and 1 fat cat living in this almost crazy house.  One thing is certain, life keeps her on her toes and she knows that change is inevitable. 

Deb has given me permission to share her recipe for Beef Stroganoff!  I can't wait to for you all to try it, so come back and comment and let me know what you think!

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

Looks good, huh?!  You can find the recipe by clicking here!

You can follow Deb's blog, "Just Short of Crazy" on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter as well. 

Caribbean Pot Roast Featuring Savory Pot Roast Crock-Pot Seasoning Mix

Yum, yum, YUMMY!!!!!  This was SO easy and SO good!  Besides the meat and veggies, there are only 4 other ingredients that turn this into AH-MAZing!!!!  You seriously can't ask for much more than that!

I am a huge fan of traditional Pot Roast, but I wanted to do something a little bit different this time!  I used the Savory Pot Roast Crock-Pot Seasoning Mix and just added a few other ingredients to make it  "Caribbean!"  I'll let you in on a little secret.....I was terrified to put Sweet Potatoes in with my roast.  TERRIFIED!  BUT, I will be the first to tell you, they were INCREDIBLE with the pot roast!  The sweetness of the Orange Marmalade with the Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix was the perfect balance!  There was plenty of sauce, and JUST the right thickness, to spread over my meat to add lots of extra flavor on my plate.  We were all members of the clean plate club tonight.....even the kids!  HALLELUJAH!

This is the last week to enter the Crockin' In the USA Recipe Contest!!!!  All the details are below!
I've now used all 3 Seasoning Mixes and they're all equally amazing!!!  I made a Pumpkin & Apple Stuffed Pork Loin with the BBQ Pulled Pork Seasoning Mix, Beef and Barley Stew with the Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix and now the Caribbean Pot Roast with the Savory Pot Roast Mix.  I can't wait for you to try them!

P.S.  Remember, I am THE JUDGE for this contest, so if you're recipe makes it into the top 10, I will be the one choosing the winner!!!!  I cannot wait to see what you all come up with!  Get Crockin'!

Crockin' In the USA is a recipe submission contest, where all you have to do is use one of the brand new Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes in a unique way, to create your own Slow Cooker recipe.  

The Seasoning Mixes come in 3 Flavors...

Hearty Beef Stew, Savory Pot Roast and BBQ Pulled Pork.

The contest runs from November 1 through December 17, 2012.  All of the details will be posted on the Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes Facebook Page on November 1, so be sure to "like" this page so you don't miss out!  The grand prize winner will receive 1 Year of Free Groceries, an $8,500 dollar value!  Who couldn't use that?!

The timeline for this contest is as follows:

• November 1-November 25 - Submit Your Recipes
• November 29-December 13 - Vote for your favorite Recipes
• December 17 - Winner will be Announced

Here's what you need to do:

• Step 1: Pick up some some of the Crock Pot Seasoning Mixes at Target nationwide (located near the Crock-Pot branded appliances) or in your local grocery store in the spices aisle.
• Step 2: Secure 1, or all 3 varieties of Seasoning Mixes
• Step 3: Create and AWESOME Crock-Pot Seasoning Mix Recipe with your Crock-Pot Seasoning Mix!
• Step 4: Submit Your Recipe
• Step 5: Get your friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, etc. to vote for your recipe submission.

Ingredients:

1.75-2 lb. Boneless Bottom Round Roast (or whatever kind of roast you like)

1 Large Sweet Potato, peeled and cubed into 1/2" pieces

1 medium onion, quartered then sliced

2-4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1.5" pieces

1 large stalk celery, cut into 1.5" pieces

1 pkg. Savory Pot Roast Crock-Pot Seasoning Mix

9 oz. Orange Marmalade

1 tsp. Soy Sauce

1 tsp. Cumin

Directions: (I used a 3 Quart Slow Cooker for this)

Place your sweet potatoes in the bottom of your crock.

Place your roast on top of that.

Surround it with the carrots and celery.

Top it all with the onions.

In a bowl, mix together the Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix, Orange Marmalade, soy sauce and cumin.

I love when she wants to help!!!

Pour your mixture over everything in your crock.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

ENJOY!