Wednesday, December 30, 2009

French Onion Crock Pot Roast

I recently heard that a key to having happy kids is to make sure that you eat dinner together, as a family, at least 5 nights a week.

Up until about a month ago I worked until 8pm three nights a week. I realized that my kids are getting older and I needed (wanted) to be there for them during those important hours after school. My husband was always home with them and he does a great job, but I missed helping them with homework, eating together as a family and winding down with them before bed. So, for that and some other reasons, I decided to take another job. I am now full-time as a physical therapist assistant in a nursing home and I am done everyday around 4:30 pm. It is so different from what I am used to in an outpatient orthopedic setting, but I am learning so much and I am enjoying the challenge.

I've been wanting to use my Crock Pot more often on days that I work, so we can eat dinner together soon after I get home and then get the kids off to karate and do homework etc.

Here is a really good roast that I threw together with the odds and ends in my pantry and fridge.

French Onion Crock Pot Roast

1 (2-3 lb.) roast (what ever you have or like or that's on sale)
1 can French Onion Soup
1 can Cream of mushroom soup
carrots
red potatoes (quartered)
onions (quartered)

Heat some oil in a skillet and brown the roast on all sides. Place carrots on the bottom of the Crock Pot and add can of French Onion Soup. Do not dilute. Place roast on top of carrots and arrange quartered potatoes and onion around roast. Add can of Cream of Mushroom soup on top of roast and veggies. Place lid on Crock Pot and cook on low for 8 hours and high for 5 hours. I made gravy with the juices left in the Crock Pot to go over the meat and veggies. I made a flour and water mixture in a pot on the stove and slowly added the juices while whisking it all together. Bring to a boil and simmer until mixture is thickened. Season as desired.

P.S.-This little gadget is amazing. It is a meat tenderizer that can turn a tough, cheap piece of meat into a tender and expensive tasting piece of meat. You just stab that heck out of it with the knife like blades. It's hard to stop stabbing it's so fun! This really made the difference in this roast in my opinion. Check it out.

Crock Pot meals are never too thrilling, but this tastes great, your family will love it and it is a time saving meal. Enjoy!

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16 comments:

  1. Sounds like a delicious meal that is just PERFECT for this time of year! Love the gadget!

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  2. I have that same meat tenderizer...love cool gadgets! I've had roast this way and I have to agree, yum!

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  3. Wow, what a cool gadget, I have never seen one of those! HOw easy does this dinner sound? I love it! We used to have dinner on the table all the time, now over the past few months it has been an "every man for yourself" kind of deal...thanks for the reminder and the inspiration to get dinner back on that table!

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  4. Oooh, that looks delicious! Thanks for sharing! I think I need to start braising my meat like that. I never think to do that before starting. :)

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  5. This is so delicious and comforting looking! A great family meal.

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  6. That looks so good...and that gadget looks awesome. I might have to get me one!

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  7. I ama big believer in the Family Dinner Table. We eat together EVERY night as I did when I was growing up!

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  8. I am also a big believer of the family dinner. This pot roast recipe is the one that my mom makes and is a favorite of mine. Love that meat tenderizer. It looks really cool!

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  9. i love this, we try really hard to sit down to dinner too. the roast looks incredible. hope you had a great holiday!

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  10. Looks delicious! Crock pot meals are pretty thrilling at my house. ;)

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  11. This looks fabulous! I love using my crock pot--especially this time of year! I also want to look into that little gadget you were talking about--sounds like a "must have"!!!

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  12. Hey Melody! Pop over to my blog. I have an award for you!

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  13. You know I have a meat tenderizer and never use it! What a dummy I am. Thanks for reminding me and for the yummy crock pot recipes. I enjoy trying new ones.

    Happy New Year!
    ~ingrid

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  14. What a delicious, comforting meal! I'm definitely going to check out that gadget. I could really use on of them.

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  15. I love this recipe! Nothing is better or more important than family dinners. Take it from me. My kids are both in college and I soooo miss our time together around our kitchen table!

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  16. This meal is in the crockpot right now for a yummy dinner at the end of a cool, rainy day. Thanks for sharing!

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