roast with potatoes, carrots and gravy

There's nothing like walking into the house after church and getting ambushed by the amazing aroma of a slow-cooked roast. Mmm. Derek actually instigated this dinner. He let me sleep in, and when I woke up, I could already smell the roast cooking. It was a pleasant surprise. My husband is the sweetest.

We cooked the roast, potatoes and carrots in the crockpot for a long time, making it so tender it practically melted in our mouths! I whipped up a quick gravy just before we ate using the drippings, and the whole thing was delish. All three of us loved it. It was a hearty, cozy, wonderful family meal.



RECIPE: Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 lb. beef roast {this was chuck}
4 potatoes
1-2 handfuls of baby carrots
1/2 c. onion, diced
2 c. water
Lawry's seasoning
black pepper (freshly ground)

Directions:
Rub roast liberally with seasoning and pepper. Wash and cube potatoes. Place roast into crockpot, followed by potatoes, carrots and onions. Add water. Season veggies liberally with seasoning and pepper. Cover with lid (and I usually put a kitchen towel or two on top of the lid, to trap in heat even more). Turn crockpot on a) high for 3 hrs, or until roast is cooked through... or b) low for 5-8 hrs, or until roast is cooked through. {This roast we had alone - with just water - in crockpot on high for 2 hrs, then on low with veggies for about 3-4 hrs more.}

RECIPE: Roast-Top Gravy

Yield: about 1 1/2 c. (depends on drippings)

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. flour
roast drippings

Directions:
In a small frying pan over high heat, melt butter. Once butter is melted and starting to boil, add flour, a little at a time. Whisk quickly to combine. Let the roux boil for about a minute, to cook out the "floury" taste. Then add the drippings a little at a time, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue simmering/whisking until the gravy reaches desired consistency. Add more salt/seasoning/pepper if needed {ours was plenty tasty}. Serve warm, atop your meal, and enjoy!