Crockpot to the Rescue

This week has been busy! Fun, but busy. Sunday is my day to usually do the food shopping and cooking for the week. I really love being prepared and knowing the I will something to eat for every meal. I know that more "ugh why did I eat that" moments happen when I am not prepared. My usual Sunday turned into a really fun creative day. My mom and dad have been changing and redoing rooms on and off with lots of DIY (do it yourself) projects. My sister and I headed over for this weeks project of updating photos and hang frames. I admit I left the designing to them, but helped with picking out photos. Like most projects once you start it's too fun to stop and it also turned into a fun family dinner when my brother in law came over to help too.

Beginning of the DIY photo hallway

Fast forward to Monday morning. I am in the kitchen having breakfast before work when I realize I only have enough cooked food for lunch. I was also supposed to have plans to meet up with Debbie for coffee later that night. Not leaving me much time to cook. And then I heard my crockpot calling my name from the cabinet. I pulled it out with a plan. I grabbed a chuck steak from the freezer and placed it in. No need to remember to defrost the extra moisture from being frozen just makes it that much juicers as it cooks. I cut up some garlic, sprinkled some salt and pepper, and put in a couple of teaspoons of butter. I know, I know, you are saying BUTTER? That's what I said to my mom when she first told me how to make this meal, but trust me it works and it's delicious! I put the lid on and set the crockpot for 8 hours on low.

I found neat garlic tip...
After you cut off the end, put the flat end of the knife on top and push down lightly.
This helps you peel the garlic so much quicker!! 

It is as easy as it sounds
Place chuck in crockpot/garlic/butter, cook, and enjoy

I came home for lunch and let me tell you my place smelled amazing. I was drooling just thinking about my dinner.

Lunch time check in...I didn't want to open the lid and release the heat
but you can see it getting delicious and juicy

Finally home after a busy Monday and was really happy I had remembered to use my crockpot. I roasted up some broccoli and had a complete, healthy, low carb dinner meal with enough for leftovers during the week. Thank you crockpot and my mom for teaching me her meal ideas.

Finished crockpot chuck steak!

My finished low carb/paleo dinner
The meat came out so juicy and tender.
I was full after eating, good thing Debbie and I only got coffee

More Grill Inspiration ... Ribs!

If you read my previous post Grill Inspiration you know I not only love grilled foods, but I also had a blast one night at my firehouse learning how to use the grill. I've been wanting to try it again, but also wanted to try making something other than hamburgers and hot dogs. My mom made pork ribs a few weeks ago and I fell in love with them, so I thought why not give it a shot. I picked up a pack of St. Louis style ribs and headed to my parent's house. 

Since I had never cooked ribs before I didn't even know where to start. My mom showed me how to cut the ribs in between the bones to get them into individual pieces and ready for cooking. I placed them in an aluminum pan (love easy cleanup), and with help from my niece Ashley, I brushed the ribs with extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkled some salt and pepper. I was surprised that was all my mom told me to put on them and wondered if it might taste a little bland, but she reassured me this is how she made it last time and they were delicious. 

Look to cut the ribs in-between the bones.
Use your fingers to feel for the bone before cutting

My assistant Ashley brushing the oil on the ribs.
You don't need to use too much just enough to cover them

Off to the grill!! My dad surprised my mom for Mother's Day this year with a new grill that has infrared technology. I'm not 100% sure how the infra-red technology works, but it was nice to grill without worrying about the flames shooting up and my eyebrows getting singed. 

Me using the grill!!
I just randomly placed the ribs across the grill 

My mom started the grill while I was cutting the ribs so by the time I was ready to cook them it was already nice and hot. I scattered them over the bottom rack and closed the lid. I checked about 15 minutes later and turned them so all sides cooked and got that crispy grill taste.  It was about 10-15 min later and they were ready to be taken off and drooled over. 

I'm drooling looking at the pictures
They came out juicy and delicious and so very filling

I let my dad have the first taste and knew I had done a job well done when he came in the kitchen with his plate looking for more. Score!! 

Where did all the meat go?!?
My dad definitely enjoyed them. 

My only question is, what should I grill next?!