Three Packet Roast

Three Packet Roast - as seen on thenest.com


(Beef) Top round roast
1 pckg of dry ranch dressing mix
1 pckg of dry italian dressing mix
1 pckg of dry brown gravy mix
1-2 cups of water or beef broth (this depends on how much you feel comfortable putting in with your roast to keep it moist)

Pour the broth/water over the roast in the crock pot
Mix all the dry mixes together and sprinkle over the roast and the liquid.
Cook on Low for 6-8 hours (depending on the size of your roast) or High for 2-3 hrs
about 4-5 hours in I add small red potatoes, carrots, onions, celery...whatever I have on hand!

I serve with bread, green beans, or squash casserole....

French Chocolate Brownies

Recipe: French Chocolate Brownies

Published: April 11, 2007

Adapted from “Baking: From My Home to Yours,” by Dorie Greenspan (Houghton Mifflin, 

as seen on New York Times

Time: 1 1/4 hours

12 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, plus 1 teaspoon melted butter for brushing pan
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, in pieces
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup lightly toasted walnuts or hazelnuts (optional).

1. Place a rack just below center of oven and preheat to 300 degrees. Line an 8-inch-square pan with foil and brush with melted butter.

2. In a bowl, whisk flour and salt together. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt remaining butter and chocolate together. Stir often and remove from heat when a few lumps remain. Stir until smooth.

3. In a mixer, beat eggs and sugar together until thick and pale yellow. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla and mix at low speed until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix 30 seconds, then finish mixing by hand, adding nuts if using. Pour into prepared pan and bake 50 to 60 minutes, until top is dry. Let cool in pan, then lift out and cut into bars or wrap in foil. 

Yield: 12 to 16 brownies.