It Feels Like Home Pot Roast
As I get older, the phrase "home is where the heart is" resonates with me more and more. Certain things in life just feel like home. I would say that the reason behind that is there are some things that bring true joy and make your heart happy. I am working each day to make sure that I surround myself everyday with at least one thing that feels like home. It might sound corny, or a little new years resolution-ish, but I think it's important to consciously choose joy each day. I've started walking at least 45 minutes each day, and there's just something about it that makes me feel great. Most people would say that it's the endorphins talking, but I think it goes beyond that. Personally, I think it's the one time in the day that I'm not attached or connected to something other than myself. Yes, sometimes I use that time to talk on the phone, but if I am on the phone, it's with someone I love, which always brings a smile to my face. Other times I use that time to listen to the latest episode of Serial, but a lot of the time I just walk, opening my mind, clearing my head, whatever you want to call it. Taking that time to find what feels like home.
In the past, I've been one of those people who uses the excuse of being "too busy" to do this, that, and the other. However, I'm learning, you have to make the choice to do things that are good for you. It's easy to put yourself on the back burner if you're the type of person that is striving for success in multiple areas of your life at the same time. How can you have true success if you're not even sure what your definition of success may be? Taking time to think about YOU, what are your dreams, and what do you need to do in your life to make YOU have joy?
Maybe a walk isn't the thing that helps you get to a point where you can focus and think about finding joy. Maybe for you it's something else. I think what's key is shutting off as much as you can the negative, and just sitting and finding that place where you can be joyful. What are you doing in your life to find that feeling of home?
I think one thing that we can all agree is that a very simple way to make your heart happy is with a comforting meal. For me, food is so tied to memories from growing up. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people who knew their way around a kitchen, and because of that, there are so many times that I think back on a great event in my life, and it's tied to yummy and delicious food.
My life was spent going to church, there were many, many weeks that we went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, and on Wednesday. Church was where my best friends were, many of whom I am still very close with today. Sundays were a family day. I have such fond memories of going to church, coming home and eating Sunday lunch, watching a movie (aka NAPTIME) and just spending the day together. Sundays were the one day a week that there was some calm, I wasn’t running around doing homework, I didn’t have a game or practice, I wasn’t hanging out with friends, I was home. Sundays at our house, from as early as I can remember, almost always included a lunch that would last you the rest of the day. There were a lot of staples, and a lot of favorites, however one always sticks out… Pot Roast.
My grandmother cooked for us on a lot of the time, and if you recall, she’s the one that’s taught me so much of what I know in the kitchen (ahi tuna and pork tenderloin), but anytime I think about roast I think about my mom. I’m not sure why, because I know Grandmother made roasts too, but for some reason my sweet mother always comes to mind. I think because mom always cooks the classics, roast, meatloaf, lasagna, etc. Grandmother always concocts something, there never seemed to be a recipe for her creations…like I said, I’m not sure why that’s how I remember it, I just do.
A couple of weeks ago I got the urge to make myself a roast. For one, it was FREEZING outside, so obviously I wanted something warm and yummy, but two, I thought it would be a great meal to share. There are several perks to a pot roast dinner: you can put it in the oven and do other things, it reheats great for lunch, and it freezes even better! I love having things that I can cook, eat, and freeze all in the same meal. side note: if you are going to freeze it, leave out the potatoes in the whatever you freeze, they are the only thing in this recipe that doesn’t freeze that great. I put a different little spin on this one, adding balsamic and Dijon. I think it makes it feel a little more upscale, and not so basic. If you’re trying to cook more at home, and you’re not sure where to start, start here. Making a pot roast is so easy, seriously even if you think “there’s no way I can cook something that looks like that”, you can.
It Feels Like Home Pot Roast
Step-By-Step Recipe
You only need a couple of ingredients for this scrumptious, simple meal... start by prepping the potatoes, carrots, garlic, and onion.
Next, prep the roast. Season, flour, brown, and set aside.
After you remove the pot roast, add a touch more oil, the onions, and a pinch of salt, and cook until they're translucent/slightly caramelized. Add the garlic and cook for a minute or two. Turn up the heat a bit and add the balsamic, dijon mustard, and seasoning. I like to use the whole grain for a little texture, but it's not necessary.
Add the pot roast back to the pan, top with some beef broth, and lay on the thyme. Pop on the lid and cook for 60-90 minutes depending on your roast size.
Once the pot roast has cooked for about 70 minutes or so, add the carrots and potatoes, and cook until tender.
Mmm. Could it get any better than this? This pot roast is sure to make you feel like you're home.
POT ROAST
INGREDIENTS
olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
flour
<3lbs. chuck roast
1 onion
4-5 cloves of garlic, pressed
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
fresh thyme
dried rosemary
1 1/2 cups beef broth
about 7 carrots
small yellow potatoes
salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
preheat the oven to 300 degrees
start by seasoning your meat and dredging it in flour
heat olive oil and a butter in a pan, once smoking, brown the chuck
brown the meat on all sides then set aside
add some more olive oil to your pan and turn the heat to medium low
add the diced onions and a pinch of salt
cook the onions until slightly caramelized
add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes
turn up the heat and add the balsamic, let it boil and reduce
turn down the heat, add the dijon and seasonings
cook this mixture for 2-3 minutes so that all of the flavors can merry together
add the meat to the pan, add the beef broth, cover and pop in the oven for 60-90 minutes (depending on the size of your roast)
add the carrots and potatoes, cooking until tender
serve with some fresh cornbread or alone, and enjoy!
NOTES
if you're going to freeze this, leave out the potatoes when you're freezing, they don't freeze well at all!