Good Life | Braised Pot Roast Recipe

It’s September and Fall is upon us.  Nothing reminds me of Fall days more than the smell of a good pot roast simmering.  I’ve recently become a lover of Weight Watchers magazine (March/April 2013) and found a great recipe for a braised pot roast that I must try.  Even in Sunny-O Bakersfield I can see the leaves changing colors…okay well not in Bako but a little further up North.  Here’s the recipe and a few tips on the “braising” technique. 

Prep 25 Min | Cook/Bake 3 Hr 15 Min | Serves 8

Source

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Pat meat (3.5 lbs) trimmed lean beef dry with paper towels; sprinkle salt and pepper ¼ tsp of each.  Spray large Dutch oven with nonstick spray and set over medium high heat.  Add beef and cook, turning until well browned, 10 minutes.  Transfer beef to plate.  Spray Dutch oven with more nonstick spray.  Add 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks and 4 chopped garlic cloves; reduce heat and cook, stirring until veggies are soft about 5 minutes.  Add ¾ c ruby port and cook, scraping the browned bits, 1 minute.  Add 3 cups low-sodium beef broth, 4 thyme springs and 2 bay leaves; simmer.  Add beef, cover pot with lid and transfer to oven.  Bake until beef is fork-tender about 3 hours.

Nutritional Information
369 cal, 8 g total fat for 2 slices of beef with ¼ cup sauce from pan 
Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 8

Braising Beef tips

Use a Dutch Oven or get a heavy cast –iron pot with a tight fitting lid.  If you don’t have a tight lid cover openings with aluminum foil.  Make sure to pat the beef dry to remove excess moisture before cooking.  Brown the meet first and then cook slow on low heat.

Happy Eatin',

StyleDIVA

5 Questions | Chef Amadeus

Yep we have two guests again this week and this one is FAMOUS ya'll.  It's Chef Amadeus from Extreme Chefs on the Food Network.  Check out his 5 Questions below and learn more about him.

1.  What was your best moment on Extreme Chefs?

The best moment was when the host announced me as the winner! Not because I won, but I am a big believer in cooking with a passion and not ego. I tell my cooks to always chase happiness not money. Winning really added more fuel to my passion to continue to be creative. Winning also gave me the opportunity to help others as well my own business

2.  Favorite music to listen to while you cook?

My music like my cooking is whatever I am feeling at the time. I have been known to cook to Country, R&B, Dancehall, Ol Skool, Latin, whatever I am feeling at the moment.

3.  As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I just wanted to do something that did not need a height requirement and make me happy doing it.  I kind of just fell into what I do.

4.  If you could make a meal for Barak and Michelle, what would it be?

I would love to just hang out with both of them doing my famous Door Knock Sessions. Using fresh veggies from Michelle’s garden!

5.  Just how did you spend that 10K you won on Extreme Chefs?

The only thing I did buy is a watch, and the rest went back into my business, my salt free line of spices (Southern Passion) and other things related to my company.

Well we can't wait to hear more about The Extreme Chef experience, his line of seasonings including Lil' Bump and everything else in between.  Get your recipe cards ready, he's got a fantastic meal prepared for you as well as share some aphrodisiacs for that special day or night.  Join us this Saturday 8AM EST on Cocktails and Conversation, shaken never stirred. 

25 Days of Christmas | Day 20

25 Days of Christmas | Day 20

 

Here are some yummy candies you can make at home with the family are perfect to give out as party favors or special holiday gifts (there are perfect for all of the holiday parties you have on your social calendar).  These also make fun stocking stuffers for the little ones! 

Let me warn you they are delish, so you may want to keep quality control tasting to a minimum to avoid gaining unwanted pounds during the holiday season.  

  Source: bhg.com via Erika on Pinterest

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients

8 ounce package chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling, finely crushed

8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 pound white baking chocolate, melted

Directions

In large bowl combine crushed cookies and cream cheese. Beat with mixer on low speed until well blended. Form 1-inch balls by hand. Dip balls in white chocolate; place on baking sheet covered with waxed paper. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. To store, cover and refrigerate. Makes 50 truffles.

Eggnog Marshmallows

                             
                            Source: bhg.com via Erika on Pinterest

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (4-1/4 tsp.)

3/4 cup cold water

2 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup light-colored corn syrup

1/3 cup refrigerated egg white product or 2 pasteurized egg whites*

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon rum extract

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Nonstick cooking spray

2/3 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

4 ounces white baking chocolate with cocoa butter or vanilla-flavored candy coating, chopped

White nonpareils

Directions

1. Lightly coat an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line pan with plastic wrap or line bottom of pan with waxed paper or parchment paper. Coat the plastic or paper with nonstick cooking spray; set pan aside.

2. In a large metal or heatproof bowl sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup of the cold water; set aside.

3. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan stir together remaining 1/4 cup water, 1-3/4 cups of the sugar, and the corn syrup until combined. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan (see Candy Thermometer, below). Cook, without stirring, over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 260 degrees F, (hard-ball stage) 12 to 15 minutes total. Remove from heat; pour over gelatin mixture in bowl and stir well to combine (mixture will foam up).

4. Meanwhile, in a clean large mixing bowl beat the egg whites and salt with an electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight), 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in rum extract and nutmeg until combined. With the mixer running on high speed, gradually add gelatin mixture to egg white mixture, beating about 7 minutes or until thick (like the consistency of thick, pourable cake batter). Quickly pour marshmallow mixture into prepared pan, spreading to edges of pan. Lightly coat another piece of plastic wrap with nonstick cooking spray; place, coated side down, over marshmallow mixture. Let stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours until firm.

5. Remove plastic wrap from top of marshmallows. In a small bowl combine powdered sugar and cornstarch; sprinkle about a quarter of the mixture evenly onto a large cutting board. Loosen sides of marshmallows, if necessary, and carefully invert onto the cutting board. Remove plastic wrap or paper. Sprinkle top with some of the remaining powdered sugar mixture. Using a knife that has been dipped in warm water, cut square into 20 marshmallows. Place squares, a few at a time, in a large resealable plastic bag. Add remaining powdered sugar mixture; seal bag and toss to coat all sides of marshmallows with powdered sugar mixture.

6. In a small saucepan, cook and stir white chocolate just until melted. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes or until cooled but not set. Spread in a thin, even layer over the top of the marshmallows. Top with nonpareils. Store marshmallows between sheets of waxed paper or parchment paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or freeze for up to 1 month. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Makes 20 large marshmallows.

Sandwich Cookie Pops

                              
                                 Source: bhg.com via Erika on Pinterest

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon Chambord or milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 Raspberry Buttercream, see below

1 1/2 pounds white chocolate or white candy coating, chopped

Red non pareils

Directions

1. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; set aside

2. In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until creamy and smooth. Beat in Chambord and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture.

3. If dough is too sticky, cover and chill dough for 30 minutes or until easy to handle. Divide dough into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a 12-inch-long roll about 1 inch in diameter. Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours.

4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the rolls into slices about 1/8 inch thick. Place 50 lollipop craft sticks 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Place one dough slice on the top portion of each stick. Bake for 6 to 7 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Bake remaining cookie slices without sticks. Cool on cookie sheets 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

5. Spread a slightly rounded teaspoon of Raspberry Butttercream on the flat sides of the cookies with sticks. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down.

6. Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 100 percent power (high) for 3 minutes until just melted, stirring after each minute; cool slightly. Holding pop by the stick; carefully dip and spoon melted chocolate over to coat; let excess chocolate drip off before placing on waxed or parchment. Sprinkle with nonpareils; cool. Makes 50 lollipop cookies.

Tip:

To store - Layer cookie pops between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month. Let come to room temperature before serving.

Raspberry Buttercream

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon Chambord or milk

2 tablespoons seedless raspberry preserves

Directions

In a large mixing bowl beat butter for 30 seconds. Beat in 1 cup powdered sugar; Chambord or milk, and raspberry preserves. Beat in 1-1/2 cups additional powdered sugar.