Way down here in Nova Scotia, Canada, we eat supper around 5:00 give or take….. I know in the states you guys eat Dinner. We all have different times we like to eat around the world but we probably have all the same problem. “What are we going to have for supper or dinner?” I think that’s probably something everyone has problems with so it’s always nice to have new recipes. So I’m going to share some of my recipes. My daughter who lives in Alberta will probably appreciate these as she’s just starting out in her new home and would like Mom’s recipes step by step. And my son also lives away and would like to see mom’s recipes too.
READ ALL DIRECTIONS FIRST AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!!!
Step 1. Get a roast….. I prefer one with a bone as the meat is more tender. A small roast will feed 2 or 3 people but you’ll need a bigger one for more people.
Step 2. Get a roast pan…… a medium size roast pan should do the trick.
Step 3. Place the roast inside the pan and sprinkle about 1 1/2 tsp. of salt on top of the roast.
The roast may be frozen or thawed, it doesn’t matter as long as you can get the styro foam and plastic off or whatever it’s packaged with.
Step 4. Turn your oven on to 400 degree f. and preheat. That’s till the red light goes off!!
Step 5. Place your roast and roast pan in the oven WITHOUT a cover for around 40 minutes to brown the top of your roast and give it some flavor. You can turn it down before 40 minutes or leave it longer if it’s not brown enough. Check it!…..
Step 6. Take the roast pan out of the oven (don’t forget to use your mitts) ;>)
Step 7. Turn down your oven to 350 if you are cooking it for 4 hours. If you want to cook it longer, lets say 8 hours…. turn your oven down to 200 degrees!!! NO HIGHER so good when it’s slow cooked!!!
Step 8. Pour water into the roast pan. Cover with water to about 3/4’s the thickness of the roast and add about 1 1/2 tbsp.'s of salt into the water. Sprinkle with pepper to taste
Step 10. Rub garlic on top of the roast. You may use real garlic or garlic power or both if you like. You don’t have to put it on top of the roast you may put it in the water.
Step 11. Add about 4 or 5 half slices of bacon and cover the roast with it…. optional but good!
TIP ----- smell your spices….. if you really like the smell of the spice use 1 to 2 tsps.…. if you don’t like it at all… don’t use it….. if you think it’s ok…. use only 1/2 tsp.!…
Add about 2 tsps. of onion powder, about 1 tsp. of ground basil or sweet basil. about 1/2 tsp. of savory. about 1 tsp. of fines herbes. about 1/2 tsp. thyme.
I also add about 2 tsps. of Bovril which is a bouillon concentrate for beef.
Step 12. Peel and cut in half 2 onions and place in water of the roast.
Step 13. Place pan back into the oven and continue cooking for 4 hours at 350 degrees f. or at 200 degrees f. for 8 hours. You will need to check the water level from time to time. If the water goes down too low you can add a bit of water to it. As long as you have a few cups of water left it should do the trick.
Step 14. Take out of the oven when done. Place your roast on a plate or platter. Roast will be very tender and may fall apart. Strain the water with a strainer to make gravy.
Step 15. Pour the strained water from the gravy into a small to medium sized pot or strain right on top of your pot.
Step 16. In a small bowl add 3 heaping tbsps. of cornstarch. Add enough water to wet the cornstarch and that it’s not too “hard” . You have to mix it until it softens without putting too much water in it. Should be the consistency of cream. Should feel just a bit of resistance when you mix it with the spoon.
Step 17. Heat your gravy on medium high heat till it starts steaming a bit and then slowly start adding your cornstarch while stirring the gravy. It may take a few minutes before it starts to thicken. You may add more cornstarch if 3 tbsps. isn’t enough. Just use the same consistency if you only use 1 more heaping tbsp. of cornstarch. Just enough water to mix it well.
Step 18. I add stuff to make my gravy browner when I make roast. It’s called Kitchen bouquet. It's not necessary but it does add a bit of flavor and looks better as a darker gravy.
Step 19. Give thanks for your meal and ask God to bless it. Serve with mashed potatoes and veggies. Enjoy your meal!!!
Making a roast is trial and error, so don’t give up if it doesn’t work the greatest the first time…… The weather effects how it will come out so don’t be afraid to check on it from time to time. Usually rainy days your roast will dry out really fast!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL OR YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO ASK!
