Cajun Pot Roast

Happy Fat Tuesday all! 

This is great for Mardi Gras or anytime.

4 lb. beef roast
1/8 -1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper, dried parsley

Pinch each: cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, dried thyme
1 - 2 cloves fresh garlic crushed, chopped

1 capful each: red wine vinegar, worchesthire sauce

1 - 2 drops hot sauce
1/3 - 3/4 c. cold water
1 onion peeled and quartered
20 - 30 baby carrots

4 medium potatoes, quartered

Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat slow cooker to 350 F'.

Spray nonstick cooking spray in bottom of slow cooker.

Peel, rinse, cut carrots, onions, garlic.

Rinse and quarter potatoes.

Make some tiny slits all over roast. Stuff slits with sliced garlic.

Sprinkle half of the seasonings over roast. 

Pour half of vinegar and Worcestershire sauce over roast.

Turn roast over, repeat prior process with sliced garlic, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings.

Pour water in bottom of pan.

Add carrots, potatoes, onions to pan. 

Cook roast for 2 - 3 hrs. approx. or until desired doneness. 

Remove roast from slow cooker and cover with foil to keep warm. 

Let roast rest for a few minutes before carving.

Serves 8.

Hurry Spring Milkshake

Spring is coming in a few weeks, can't wait for warmer weather.

2 c. skim or low fat milk
2 - 4 peppermint hard candies
1 - 3 oz. dark chocolate (broken up)
1  1/3 c. reduced fat ice cream

1 drops green food coloring

Break chocolate into pieces.

Remove ice cream container from freezer and set on a clean counter.

Combine: milk, peppermint candy, food coloring chocolate and ice cream into blender. 

Blend well for 20 - 30 seconds.

Serves 4.

Award Night Spritz

This is great for watching the red carpet, award shows or anytime. 

Congrats to all the winners!

4 - 6 oz. gin or vodka

1 - 2 oz. vermouth

24 oz.  club soda

Ice

Place 4 clean martini glasses in freezer for a few minutes to chill.

 In a clean cocktail shaker combine gin, ice and vermouth. 

Shake for a few seconds.

Remove glasses from freezer.

Pour martinis into glasses.

Top off martinis with club soda.

Serves 4.

Easy Alfredo Sauce

Happy National Alfredo Sauce Day.

I'm not a big fan of alfredo sauce, but this was pretty good.

1/2 c. each: sliced fresh mushrooms, parmesan cheese

1 - 2 c. reduced fat milk

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

1 clove garlic crushed and chopped

1 - 2 T. each: flour, butter

Rinse and slice mushrooms.

Crush, peel and chop garlic.

Heat a saucepan over medium high heat

Reduce heat to medium low, add butter.

Mix flour in butter to make a roux.

Add milk, salt, pepper and garlic. Stir frequently and cook for 10 - 15 min or until done.

Halfway through cooking, add mushrooms cheese and continue cooking until thickened.

Serve over prepared pasta.

Serves 4.