Slow-Cooked French Dip Sandwiches

Yes, it was a paper plate kind of night

Sometimes, you just want to eat a sandwich. And not just any sandwich, but something that really makes it worth the sodium, fat, and carbs you're getting. Ah, carbs, I love you. ANYWAY, this easy easy easy slow-cooked French dip sandwich was so flavorful that it was hard to stop myself from going back for fourths. Not only is slow-cooking such a simple way of making things because you literally set it and forget it for the day (and you can leave this roast in longer than 7 hours if you're going to work for the day), but it seems to make everything taste so delicious! As my husband watched me prepare the meat in the slow-cooker with the budget-friendly short ingredient list, he literally looked at me and said "That's it?" and I proudly chimed "Cooking a good meal isn't that hard, sweetie!" (hoping that he might take up the hobby).


What you need
3.5-4 lb bottom round roast
Garlic salt & pepper, to taste
1 can condensed french onion soup (check pantry for size)
1 beef broth (check pantry for size)
8-10 crusty rolls (depending on size)
American or provolone cheese (optional)

What you do
Trim fat. Season roast on all sides with garlic salt and pepper. Place in slow cooker. Pour french onion soup and beef broth on top. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Remove roast and cut into thin strips. Return meat to liquid to absorb more flavor. Assemble sandwiches and ladle liquid into a small bowl for dipping sandwich. Enjoy!

Wine pairing: Reds like Pinot Noir, Rioja

Sawyer usually leaves us alone when we cook but he was really hoping we'd drop a piece of that amazing smelling roast!

Simple & Delicious Panzanella Salad

After spending the last few months dealing with recovering for two broken wrists, I'm finally starting to cook again. I love my husband, but I can only take so many chicken patty sandwiches and frozen pizza nights. You may think it's nice to have a break from cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the house (not to mention working full time and attending grad school -- oh and the puppy is always a handful too), but I really missed cooking after a while. In fact, after about 3 weeks, I was trying to figure out how to clean this house again too. Being a type A sort is tough with two broken arms.

The colors of this dish are also pleasing for the eye

So, getting back into the swing of things meant making something simple but delicious. How do garlicky chunks of bread, fresh tomatoes & basil, tangy onion, and a simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing sound? Yeah, amazing. I thought so too. Panzanella salad is a classic Italian dish, usually enjoyed in the summer. While it's not quite summer yet, a girl can be optimistic.The simple ingredient list and fresh taste make it a light side that pairs well with almost anything. Make it as a dish for you and a date, a cookout, a potluck, a picnic - it's very versatile and not to mention quick and easy to make. I would pair it with a light Pinot Grigio, which perfectly suits the summer-iness of this meal.

Sweet & Tangy Veggie Kabobs

One of my favorite parts of grilling season is grilled veggies. Marinate them and grill 'em up til they get a nice light char - eating your vegetables has never been so easy. You can plan to spend a lot of prep time on any kabob dish so take this into account when preparing for dinner: you'll need to wash and cut your veggies, marinate them, and then the oh-so tedious task of skewering them. But when it's done, you'll be thankful for such a yummy feel-good dish.

Summertime makes me think of crisp, light white wines. Most of these will pair great with this veggie selection.  Reach for a bottle of Pinot Grigio, Muscadet, or Sauvignon Blanc ... or plan ahead the day before and make a pitcher of white sangria (so you can get your daily servings of fruit, too, of course).

Happy grilling!