Best Roast ever!

As I was walking through the meat department of a new grocery store in our area, this seasoned, delicious looking roast caught my attention.  It was just the right size for the our family and it was seasoned with herbs and stuffed with onions/peppers.  I couldn't resist purchasing it.  I typically like to season my own meat, but this looked really good.  When I got home, I had to figure out the best way to cook my roast (i.e. crock pot, stove top, oven, etc.). 

About a two weeks ago, I noticed there was a sale on the KC Marinades, so I purchased about three different flavors.  One of the flavors was Caribbean Jerk.  Since the roast was already seasoned, I decided to marinade the roast with the Caribbean Jerk marinade.  I don't have a picture of my roast (please believe it was beautiful), but I did find a picture online that resembled my roast once it was cooked. 

Today, Nick, the kids, and I went shopping at a new place (to us) called The Fresh market.  It was stunning inside.  All the fruit looked like it had been air brushed.  There was a great sale on the meat, so I bought two huge pork chops and some andouille sausage.  I am using the KC Tuscan Garlic and Herbs sauce.  I will post that recipe next week as well as my thoughts on the marinade. 

Recipe: Caribbean Jerk Marinaded Beef Roast over a bed of new potatoes. 

Ingredients:
Seasoned Roast
Caribbean Jerk Marinade
Potatoes
Seasoning (for potatoes)
Butter
Cooking Spray
2 tablespoons of canola oil

Directions:
Peel the potatoes (I used red potatoes). Then chop into quarters.  Next, season potatoes with season all, garlic and herbs powder/seasoning, and black pepper. 

Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray, place seasoned potatoes in pan.  Place to the side. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  The roast is already seasoned, so pour on some of the Caribbean jerk marinade on both sides of the roast.  Use a basting brush to cover both sides evenly.  In a large skillet, put a little canola cooking oil in the pan.  When oil is warm, cook the seasoned roast on both sides for about 2 minutes each.  This is just giving your roast a pretty brown color.  When you pre-cook the roast on each side, place on top of the seasoned potatoes.  Add teaspoons of butter in the pan (I put some in the corners and in the middle).  Cover and cook for one hour.  Then uncover and cook for about 20 more minutes. 

Serve with a salad and a vegetable of your choice.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Picture courtesy of Press Photos/Paul L.

Things I want to cook over the next couple of weeks:
Chicken Wraps
Honey BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Steak Kabobs
Chicken Salad
Spring pasta
Tuscan Garlic and Herb Pork Chops
Baked Tilapia
Shrimp tacos
Dirt Cake

End of the Year Teacher Gifts

It's the end of the school year and many people are wondering what to get their child's teacher as a gift.  I love ALL the gifts I receive from kids (personalized gifts, drawings, gift cards, etc.), but my favorite are the practical gifts.  Because I know how I am and what I like, I have been searching the web (Pinterest mostly) to find gifts for my kids teachers.  Each one of my children have two teachers (6 teachers total), so I want to find something that won''t break the bank, is cute, and practical.  Another idea that was brought to my attention is to find a couple of other parents in your child's room and go in on a gift together.  This is a HUGE money saver.

Because you took the time to create or buy something for your child's teacher, I am sure they will appreciate anything you give them.  Below are some of my favorite ideas for end of the year teacher gifts.  I know there are so many more, but these stuck out to me. 

Teacher Gift Idea #1: Cookie Jar with the teacher's favorite cookies.

 Teacher Gift Idea #2: Summer Time Themed Gift

 Teacher Gift Idea #3: Cup filled with sharpies: "Because of you, my mind is SHARP for next year."

Teacher Gift Idea #4: Starbucks Gift Card

Teacher Gift Idea #5: S'mores Gift

Teacher Gift Idea #6: Orange You Glad It's Summer?

Teacher Gift Idea #7: Simply the Best

Teacher Gift Idea #8: Tearrific Teacher

   Teacher Gift Idea #9: Polished Teacher

Hope these gift ideas help you! 

TWO Weeks Too Long

It's been two weeks and too long since my last blog update.  With the end of the school year quickly approaching, it has been very busy in our home!  I have missed blogging and I have done a lot of cooking since my last post, so I had to really think about what I wanted to post today.  I decided to post two recipes this week.  I have also included my weekly menu plan below.  Sorry I have been away for so long, but hopefully, these two recipes will make up for it :).

Because Memorial Day is next Monday, I am posting one of my favorite short ribs recipes.  I made these ribs about two weeks ago and they came out so tender and so delicious.  If you do not feel like taking out the grill, this is a great recipe.

Recipe: Oven Cooked BBQ Short Ribs

Ingredients:

• Garlic and Herb seasoning
• Black Pepper
• Mesquite seasoning
• Italian Dressing
• Your favorite BBQ sauce

Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Wash meat thoroughly.  Season meat with seasonings listed above. 

2. In a large bowl, add the Italian dressing.  Then add the seasoned meat to the Italian dressing (For best results, let meat marinade in this overnight).

3. Place seasoned/Italian dressing covered meat in a large baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

4. Add your favorite BBQ sauce all over the meat (you a basting brush).

5. Cook in the oven covered for about 1 hour (or until meat is cooked through and tender).  Uncover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.   Serve with your favorite side (I served with red beans and rice).  Enjoy!

        The second recipe was inspired this morning.  Everyday for breakfast my children eat pancakes or waffles.  Well this morning, I wanted something different.  I looked in the refrigerator and the pantry to see what I could make.  First thing I saw was cinnamon and I knew it had to be French Toast!  My kids love french toast, especially with powdered sugar.  I never knew how easy it was to make until I saw my friend Maritza make it when she came to visit.  If you are tired of pancakes and waffles, try making this simple, but tasty recipe. 

Recipe: Cinnamon French Toast with Powdered Sugar

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1/2 cup of milk

teaspoon of cinnamon

powdered sugar

6 slices of bread

Directions: 

1. In a large bowl, add eggs, milk, cinnamon.  Mix well.  

2. Heat a large pan over medium heat.  Then add butter to the pan.  Next dip your bread quickly on both sides in the mixture.   Add to the pot.  

3. Cook on both sides for about 2 minutes.  Very important that your heat is not too high, otherwise your bread will get brown quick but the middle will still be raw.  When you see a nice pretty brown color, then flip over and cook other side.  If the middle looks really soft (mushy), keep cooking).

4. When you take the toast out, butter one side and sprinkle powdered sugar on top.  Serve and enjoy!

Weekly Menu Plan for May 19-24

Monday and Tuesday: Lasagna with garlic bread (I know it seems like we eat lasagna a lot, but the kids love it and my lasagna recipe is really good!

Wednesday and Thursday: Baked Buttermilk Chicken with rice and butter beans

Friday: A Birthday Dinner Out

Saturday: Shells Shrimp and Garlic Pasta