Nicole King Pioneer Woman

When you have a large amount of time on your hands, like I do, you find yourself doing lots of funny things.  One time my mommy and I were making dinner and we decided to pretend we were on a cooking show! It was hilarious.  We were talking about each ingredient and announcing it as we added it to the bowl.  Although the best part of it was when my brother walked in the kitchen, I don’t think he said a word.  He just looked at us, shook his head and walked out. 

Last night I did a similar thing.  I was making dinner and decided to mix things up a bit by pretending I was Rhee Drummond, The Pioneer Woman!  Yes, I did.  It started out because I was using my Pioneer Woman Cook Book and my beautiful cast iron dutch oven.  (both gifts from my dear friend Kim) So as I was making my Perfect Pot Roast I documented each step in photographs.  Let me say it was quite fun.  And it also helped me keep my kitchen clean as I went.  J Who would want to have a messy kitchen in the background of their beautiful cooking photos?! Not me!

So on to the show!

Step one: Gather necessary tools

Step two:  Take 6-8 carrots, wash thoroughly but do not peel.  Chop into two inch pieces.  With about two table spoons of oil heated in your dutch oven add the carrots browning for about one minute each side.  This is not intended to cook the carrots all the way but just to give them a nice brown color.  Remove carrots.

Step three:  Peel onions lengthwise and cut in half.  Add to the same pot and brown each side for about one minute. 

Step four:  Add more oil to the pan and return to a high heat.  Take your roast and sprinkle with kosher salt on all sides.  Once the oil is hot place the roast in the oil and allow to brown on each side. 

Step five:  Next we will return the vegetables into the pot with the roast.  Pour enough beef stock into dutch oven to cover half of the roast.   Now put it in the oven for approximately 2 hours.  I did 2.5 and I think it was just a little too long. 

Step six:  GRAVY!!!!  I have not quite perfected my gravy skills and it is a very sad thing.  So for that reason I will not go into the directions.  As I type I realize I should have made the gravy in the dutch oven to make sure to get all of the deliciousness but I was using it to keep the roast warm.  Next time I will be one step closer to gravy perfection.

Step seven:  And lastly potatoes.  Wash, peel and chop the potatoes.  Boil until tender and then mash them in the mixer.  I added lots of half and half and butter because it was Matt’s birthday.

And what birthday meal is complete with out monster cookies? 

Hahaha isn't Red hilarious on this M&M package?  I'm not sure he is as ready for fall as I am.  :)

As I was making this dinner things kept reminding me of the people I miss.  The cook book and dutch oven both reminded me of Kim.  These were both gifts from her.  And they also reminded me of my sis in law Ashley because I gave both of them to her as gifts!  I love seeing things in my daily life that make me thing of these friends and family.   The other day I posted a similar thing about how different things were reminding me of my friends back home.  I was having a pity party for myself when I realized that yes I do miss my friends and family but how awesome is to have these daily reminders of the people that I love.  So, all that to say, if you want me to think of you and make me happy maybe you should send me a present! Hahahaha kidding.