BAVARIAN-STYLE CHUCK ROAST

3 lb boneless beef chuck roast

1 tbsp canola oil
3 cups sliced yellow onions
3 cups thick-sliced carrots
3 large potatoes, sliced thick
2 large kosher dill pickles, drained, chopped
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup beef broth
1/3 cup German-style or brown mustard
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 large bay leaves
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup tap water
1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Heat the canola oil in a large skillet; add roast and brown on both sides.  Remove roast to a slow cooker or crock pot (at least 4-quart size).

Add the onions, carrots, potatoes, pickles, celery, broth, mustard, pepper, bay leaves, cloves, and water.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low approximately 7 hours until meat and vegetables are tender.

Remove the roast and the vegetables to serving platter. Turn cooker to high setting.

Remove 1 cup of the cooking liquid and whisk in the flour until smooth.  Return broth to the cooker and cook on high, stirring, until the broth is smooth and thick.  Serve the broth over the roast.

TOH photo used for reference only

FIRE-ROASTED TOMATO AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE GRINDERS

10 uncooked hot or sweet Italian sausage links

2 (14.5-ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp dried basil, crushed

1 tsp dried oregano, crushed

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

10 French-style rolls or hoagie buns, split

10 slices provolone cheese, halved

3/4 cup roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into strips.

Place sausage links in a 5 to 6-quarta slow cooker. For sauce, in a large bowl stir together diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

To serve, preheat broiler. Place a sausage link on each roll bottom, reserving sauce in cooker. Place a half slice of cheese on each sausage link and half-slice of cheese on the cut side of each roll top. Place roll bottoms with sausage on a baking sheet. Broil 4 to 5-inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

To serve, top with roasted peppers and roll tops. Serve reserved sauce in individual bowls for dipping.

file photo of this recipe

CHILI SAUCE HOT WINGS

3 lb chicken wings 

1 1/4 cups bottled chili sauce

2 tsp your favorite hot pepper sauce

Ranch or Blue Cheese dip for serving

Preheat broiler. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut off tips of the wings and discard tips. Cut each wing at the joint to make 2 pieces.

Place chicken pieces on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5-inches from the heat for 12 to 15 minutes or until no longer pink. Turn once during broiling time. Place the chicken in a slow cooker.

In a small bowl, combine the chili sauce and hot pepper sauce. Pour over the chicken pieces, stirring once to coat with the sauce. Cook on low 4 to 5 hours or on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Serve immediately with the dip. May be kept warm by turning cooker to warm setting.

file photo of this recipe

SLOW-COOKED LAMB CHOPS

I love going through boxes and finding recipe clippings. This one is from Spring 1999. I am almost sure it is from a Reiman publication.

BROWNIE BOTTOM DESSERT

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup tap water
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups packaged brownie mix
1 pkg (2 3/4-oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2 large eggs
3 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup tap water

Lightly spray the interior of a crockpot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the brown sugar, the 3/4 cup of water, and the cocoa in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. 

Combine the brownie mix, pudding mix, chocolate chips, eggs, melted butter, and 1/2 cup of water in a small bowl; stir to form a batter.  Spread the batter into the bottom of the stoneware cooker and pour the boiling mix overall.

Place lid on cooker and cook on high 1 1/2 hours.  Turn heat off and let stand for half an hour then serve while warm.

Yield: 6 servings

Note: Delicious served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

 File Photo