Hibernation preparations

Here are a few of my favorite cold weather recipes. They are simple, quick and very satisfying. Enjoy!

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Pot Roast and Vegetables in the Crock Pot

1 large piece of beef (rump roast, etc.)

4-6 large carrots, peeled

1 lb potatoes, scrubbed clean (I love the mini Yukon Gold ones, also small new potatoes)

1 large yellow onion, quartered

1 package dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix

1 quart beef broth

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Flour

Dried parsley

1. Heat 1-2 Tbsp olive oil in the bottom of a nonstick skillet over med-high heat, and season both sides of beef with salt and pepper. Place beef in skillet and sear each side of the piece of meat, only turning once after the side is nice and golden brown. This locks in the juices before the beef cooks in the crock pot.

2. If you have crock pot liners (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM and can only find them at Jewel...), line your crock pot. Place potatoes, onion and carrots in first, then place the beef on top of the vegetables.

3. Sprinkle the Lipton Onion Soup mix over the beef and vegetables. Pour the beef broth over all. Cover and cook on high 4-6 hours.

4. After beef and vegetables are done cooking, remove from crock pot and place on a serving platter. {*Get fancy tip: Sprinkle with dried parsley to make it pretty.} Remove the crock pot liner bag and pour the juices into a gravy boat or simple bowl. Add 1 Tbsp of flour to juices and stir, repeating as many times as necessary to achieve the desired thickness for gravy.

5. Serve meat, vegetables and gravy with a side of biscuits or cornbread and homemade applesauce. Yum!

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

1 C double strength coffee (I like to use Starbucks Espresso Roast)

1/3 C half and half

1/3 C milk

2 Tbsp pure pumpkin

2 Tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp pumpkin spice

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Brew coffee as usual. In a saucepan over med-high heat, combine all ingredients except for vanilla extract and bring to a simmer. Do not boil! Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour into a large mug and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or more pumpkin spice. {*Get fancy tip: add a stick of cinnamon to the mug for stirring!} Makes one serving.

**No picture, I drank it too fast this morning. :)