Asian Inspired Spicy Barbeque Beef

On May 1, 2019 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Recipes4 Comments

We are always looking for meals that we can cook in a single pot and this one packs a lot of flavor. We chose a chuck roast, but it would be equally good with a beef brisket, but you need a meat with enough fat that it stays tender and juicy. Asian inspired meals can be found everywhere these days on menus throughout the world. We cooked this in a slow cooker, but it could have just as easily been cooked in a roasting pan or Dutch oven pot in the oven at 300 degrees in the same amount of time. It is simple, easy, and delicious.

INGREDIENTS

3 lb Chuck Roast (Pot Roast)
10 oz Package of Mushrooms – cleaned and stems removed
1/2 small Yellow Onion – thickly sliced
10 Fingerling Potatoes – medium to small
1 cup Ketchup
1 cup Light Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Soy Sauce – low-sodium
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/2 tsp Granulated Garlic
1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tbsp Olive Oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of garlic, and salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season the roast with salt, pepper, and the remaining garlic, being sure to season all sides. Brown the roast in the pan, about 4 minutes per side. Place the roast into a slow-cooker that has been sprayed with non-stick spray, add the onions and cover with the sauce. Add the red pepper flakes and cook on low for about 3 hours and then add the mushrooms and potatoes. Cook for another hour. Serves about 4 people.

Quick Weeknight Dinner

On April 13, 2016 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Recipes6 Comments

As hectic as our schedules are, we often look for quick and easy dinner options. Making tacos is definitely one of those types of meals that is tasty as well as easy. Tacos are a great option because you can use almost any type of meat such as pork, chicken, beef, or you could even do a vegan option. You can also cook the filling a variety of ways, cooked slowly and shredded, seared in a skillet like fajita meat, or ground meat simmered in a frying pan. We’re not really doing a recipe this week because, as we said, this was a fast meal made easy.

This was a childhood staple for both of us and we used to make it for our kids as well. We went with the simple solution of browning ground meat, we chose ground chicken to make a little healthier, and then adding water and taco seasoning. It doesn’t get much simpler. We shredded some lettuce, cut some tomato, added salsa, shredded cheese, jalapenos, and sour cream to complete the meal. We heated store-bought taco shells in the oven, but it works great with flour shells heated in the microwave if you don’t want a crunchy taco. Twenty minutes later and we had a dinner that was not only fast and easy, but really satisfies the taste buds.

Sometimes uncomplicated, unsophisticated, down right old-fashioned is the perfect solution for a weeknight dinner. People have been making this same meal since the sixties, but there is probably a reason that it has been around for so long. When it works, it works. We all have that “go to” dinner for when we just don’t have a lot of time or energy, but don’t want to order out or pick up fast food. Hopefully yours is as tasty as a weeknight taco dinner.

Bacon Wrapped Crackers

On November 18, 2015 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Recipes1 Comment

Needless to say, sometimes something super simple can be absolutely delicious, especially when it has bacon. This is the case with these bacon wrapped crackers. They don’t take much time, are simple to do, and are truly a crowd pleaser. They are perfect for a holiday or tailgate party and can be served warm or at room temperature. If they weren’t so decadent, we’d make them for a weekend afternoon snack while we’re watching sports, but these aren’t your everyday type of snack food. While you can probably make these with almost any type of cracker, we’ve found that rectangular crackers work the best. And don’t choose a saltine cracker, you need one with some buttery flavor to it, after all, you won’t find this in any diet books. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Ingredients

36 Buttery Crackers – Rectangular (such as Town House)
12 Slices of Bacon (not thick sliced)
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese – finely grated

Instructions

Cut the bacon strips into thirds, which should result in 36 slices of bacon approximately 3 to 4 inches in length. Wrap each cracker around the narrow side with a slice of bacon, being sure to overlap the edges where the strips meet. Place the bacon wrapped crackers, with the side where the bacon edges meet down, onto a baking sheet with a rack or parchment paper. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees. Cook the bacon wrapped crackers for 12 to 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Immediately upon removing the crackers from the oven, sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature.