Week of Dec 20, 2015

Sun - Pot Roast
Mon - Hot Beef Sandwiches    
Tue - Stouffers Frozen Meal &  Baking Day
Wed - See Christmas Eve Dinner
Thur - Christmas - See Christams Breakfast
Fri - Ham Sandwiches
Sat - Scalloped Potatoes
Sun - Ham and Beans

Beef Pot Roast
Ingredients
3 lb chuck roast
salt and pepper
1 large onion, chopped
1 lb bag carrots, chopped or baby carrots
4 celery, chopped

Pot Roast Dinner

4 cloves garlic, pressed
6 medium red potatoes, quartered
1 tbsp thyme
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp browning liquid
5 cups beef or veggie stock
Directions
Brown roast in 2 tbsp oil on high heat preferably in the roasting pan or cast iron pot (Dutch oven) you will be using to roast meat in oven. Turning to brown on all sides. Remove meat. While still on high heat, add 1 cup of the stock, scrap pan. Add all other ingredients except potatoes to pan. Return meat and add enough stock so that liquid reaches about halfway up the side of meat. (Add more stock if needed) Bake covered with foil /lid for 3 hours at 350F. Turn meat over every hour. Remove meat. Add potatoes to pot, and return meat. the liquid should cover the potatoes. Add more HOT stock if need. Cover. Cook for one more hour or until potatoes are tender.
Roast should be fall-apart tender when done.
For Gravy:
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter
mix together, whisk into drippings from roast pan on high heat. Boil, whisking constantly until thickness is reached.

Crock Pot Roast`

NOTE: SLOW-COOKER directions: Add vegetables to bottom of cooker. Pour in stock and bay leaves. Put roast on top and add seasonings. Cook on high for 6 hours. At the last 2 hours, mix in the flour and butter mixture.

Hot Beef Sandwiches
12 slices white bread
Leftover Roast Beef (at least 1 cup)
Leftover Beef Gravy (at least 2 cups)
Heat beef and gravy together in a sauce pot until hot. Pour over bread. Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.
NOTE: If you do not have enough gravy, make more using a can of beef stock, 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce and 2 tbls flour. Mix together with any leftover gravy you  have (or alone, if you have no leftovers). Boil until thickness is desired. Taste, add salt and pepper as necessary.
Makes 4 large 3-piece servings

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

4 medium baker potatoes, thoroughly washed

1 cup cooked, diced ham

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

3 cups sharp/medium cheddar cheese

3 tbsp butter (not margarine)

3 tbsp AP flour

1 1/2 cups 2% milk

1 tsp each salt and pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp dried parsley flakes

1 tsp Dijon Mustard (optional; don't substitute yellow mustard)

2 tbsp chives, chopped and/or fresh parsley, chopped, for topping (optional)

Slice potatoes thinly, with or without skin, (I prefer using a Mandolin or food processor for this).  Place in "Microcooker" or other microwave steamer (you can also use a microwave-safe bowl partially covered with plastic wrap) with 2 tbsp water. Cook in microwave on high for 7 minutes, or until ALMOST done. You may have to do this in 2 batches.

To make sauce, melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in flour with a whisk (that is safe for non-stick, such as silicone coated). Reduce to low heat and let cook for about 2 minutes or until there is a nutty aroma. Increase temp back to medium-high, and stir in milk. Add 2 cups cheese, 1/2 cup at a time, letting each batch melt before adding more. After all cheese is incorporated, add in seasonings and parsley. Taste sauce, add salt and/or pepper if necessary. Take off heat. THIS WILL HARDEN/THICKEN UP QUICKLY! MAKE WHEN READY TO ASSEMBLE CASSEROLE!

To assemble, in a greased 9 in square baking dish or 2 qt casserole dish, layer potatoes, ham then cheese sauce, and continue until you run out of potatoes, about 4 layers. On the top layer, spread any remaining sauce and top with the other 1 cup of cheese. If baking immediately, bake at 375F for 30 minutes, or until cheese on top is browned and potatoes are completely cooked. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting. Serve with with chopped chives and/or parsley.

(NOTE: You can also let this cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months to cook later. Make sure to allow the casserole to completely defrost before baking, and allow to warm up with the oven, do not pre-heat.)

HAM AND BEANS

1 ham bone

1 pound navy beans, rinsed, picked over, soaked overnight and drained

2 32 oz boxes of stock (veggie, pork or chicken)

2 carrots, diced fine

1 celery, diced fine

1/2 onion, diced fine

4 cloves garlic, pressed

1 tbsp olive oil

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, on medium heat saute onion, carrot, garlic and celery in oil until fragrant. Add stock, heat to a boil (high heat). Add ham bone and bay leaf. Simmer for at least 3 hours on medium-low heat, stirring and checking liquid leave often. Add pepper and salt to taste when ready to serve.

If desired, you can put all ingredients in a slow-cooker for 8 hours on high instead of on the stove.