Monday, June 18, 2012

In a Pinch Quick Meal

Missy, here. Two days until d-day. Book deadline day. So I'm still in my mad dash to the finish of the re-writes I'm doing post-critique.

Sooo, today, you're getting a quickie post because that's the kind of meal my family will get tonight!



I bought a nice chuck roast. I recently heard someone (maybe a chef on the Food Network) say that's the best cut for crockpot...or maybe it was for grilling. Anway, I agree with both. It has so much flavor and is usually a good price.

I sometimes add an onion while cooking.  If so, I slice in chunks and toss in the slow cooker. Then add the roast. Then I sprinkle on a packet of seasoning. Usually, I use Au Jus seasoning. But I'm out. I grabbed the mushroom gravy packet.

Turn on the slow cooker on high a couple of hours to get hot. Then set on low until dinnertime! Quick and tasty.

I also discovered a new side dish we're going to try this evening. Stouffer's Corn Souffle. And in honor of the fact it's a "side" dish, I put in a sideways photo. LOL No time for photo editing while book editing!


Last but not least, here's my trusty helper chef. He knows when I'm serving beef!


22 comments:

  1. I'm with you, Missy - chuck roast in the crock pot is the best! I always add in a few potatoes, carrots, onion, and (my new favorite), parsnips.

    A quickie side-dish we've enjoyed a couple times lately is frozen sweet potato fries. I think they were mentioned here a couple months ago - -

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ruthy is laughing at Missy.... Jan, I love sweet potato fries! Oh my stars, those are addictive.

    And dipped in honey????

    :)

    BIG GRIN HERE!

    Missy, here's a Ruthy trick that helps. I make doubles of everything so there's always a freezer stash because there's always (well, maybe 2 nights a week that there isn't) extras for supper here. So if I cook for a crowd, I can freeze a meal in a gallon bag and be ready for that next deadline crunch.

    (Okay, Ruthy does not believe in deadline crunches, but there have been last minute edits that need a quick turnaround, so I'm coming from that POV...)

    No one should crunch on a deadline.

    But on edits, that's understandable, because they're often on a short time "leash".

    End of Ruthy lecture.... (I see Missy Tippens waving a rolling pin at me from 'cross the cafe...If I end up bludgeoned, blame the preacher's wife!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm skipping the whole carnivorous meal and getting to the main point of your post. WHAT AN ADORABLE DOG!!!! Where have you been hiding him? Love those two black eyes! And he looks so hopeful. You're going to include him your supper plans, right? Happy deadlining!

    ReplyDelete
  4. First, I'll address Ruthy. I'M SORRY I'M NOT AS PERFECT AS YOU ARE. (she says as she waves that rolling pin)

    :) Yes, we know you're a machine and somehow crank out books faster than anyone except maybe Mary. Great books at that!! I think you need to loan me your brain! I sit here and agonize over every little sentence, every word, as I'm making suggested changes from critique partners. Do you think I'll get better as I go along? More efficient???

    [big sigh]

    I sure am thankful I love writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good. The guilt button works!!!! :)

      Ah, critique partners. So you're incorporating their advice into the story....???? Well, that's a tough road. So I'll stop making fun of you in public...

      FOR TODAY. Finish up, I'm so anxious to read this one because the last one was two thumbs up BEAUTIFUL.

      Delete
  5. Jan, I usually add carrots and potatoes as well. But I'm out of both right now! LOL I'll look for parsnips next time. I love them and have never made them! Gosh, I probably won't even know what they look like at the store. :)

    Kav, yes! That's my youngest baby. About eight years ago, we went to the pet store to buy a guinea pig and happened to hit adoption day. Oh, my stars, no way could we leave behind the little pup with the black-circled eye! :) Forget the rodent! We brought home a precious puppy to join the family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's why my dear husband won't let me go to the pet store on adoption day...

      Delete
    2. Jan, we learned our lesson!! I've got to scan one of his baby photos. You'll all totally understand!

      Delete
    3. Aww, puppy baby pictures...I love 'em.

      Now, back to work! I reached the end of my first run through of my revisions. Next is to check the editor's notes again and do another read through.

      Delete
    4. Puppies. Sheesh. There ought to be law.

      Delete
    5. Jan, good job!!!! Happy dancing in upstate for you! Grinning ear to ear with my BIG TEETH.

      Delete
    6. Ruthy, how can I go wrong with a cheerleader like you?

      Delete
  6. By the way, the smell of the roast cooking is torturing me. I didn't set a timer for my cheese toast this morning. Scorched the living daylights out of it. It's a totally charred black mess, and I was so disgusted at myself I didn't even eat.

    Now I'm starving!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jan, you're doing great!! You have plenty of time left and are in good shape. I'm still so excited about your sale!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Missy, sometimes we just have to do what works, meaning what's easy and doesn't take a lot of time. Crock Pots are great for that. And the corn souffle sounds yummy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm the only mean friend.

      Why am I not surprised?????

      Delete
  9. roast HAS to have onion, potatoes and those chubby baby carrots - I can't imagine NOT having them! my dad differed though - he didn't like carrots and liked the roast juice made into gravy - think my mom used flour and thickened it in a skillet(never mastered this myself!) and mashed potatoes. she did the roast in a pressure cooker a lot or the oven - I like a crockpot myself!
    now I'm hungry...

    Susanna

    ReplyDelete
  10. that corn soufle is GOOD! coworker brought it to work a long time ago and got me semi-addicted! cute doggy- my girls won't leave the kitchen if meat or eggs or cheese are in use...I cant' leave the slowcooker out and going either since they can reach it...
    susanna

    ReplyDelete
  11. Susanna, when I was a kid, my mom used a pressure cooker. The thing scared me to death! I was always so sure it would explode and scald me. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm kinda scared of them too but I've used mine maybe 6 times LOL. nohthing like a roast in under an hour! but I'd rather it cook all day so I can smell it!
      Susanna

      Delete