Roast Beef

3-5 lb Rump Roast

Medium onion, chunked

Salt

Pepper

Brown roast in Dutch oven, placing meat with fat side up after all sides have been browned.

Add water to cover bottom of pan.

Add onion and salt/pepper roast. 

Cover dutch oven and cook meat as desired.

350 degree oven for 1.5 to 2 hours.

325 degree oven for 2.5 to 4 hours.

300 degree oven for 3 to 5 hours.

275 degree oven for 4 to 6 hours. 

Check water level in pan every hour and add more water if needed. 

To make gravy from the drippings, boil drippings after removing roast from pan. Mix flour and water to a runny consistency. Add thickening a little at a time, stirring constantly and returning liquid to a boil before adding more. Thicken to desired gravy consistency. 

Black Tie Brownie Cups

1 pkg (19-21 oz) Fudge Brownie Mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)
2 1-oz squares White Chocolate for baking
2 Tbsp Milk
1 8-oz package Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 C Powdered Sugar
1 C thawed, frozen Whipped Topping OR 1 C whipped Whipping Cream
1 pt small Strawberries, sliced (optional)
Orange Zest (optional)
Mint Leaves (optional)
Melted Semi-sweet Chocolate for baking (optional)

Preheat  oven to 325° F. Spray cups of mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray for baking. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies. Using small scoop, place 1 level scoop of batter in each cup, filling cups ⅔ full. Bake 14 minutes or until edges are set. Do not over bake.

Remove pan to cooling rack. Immediately press tops of brownies with mini tart shaper (from Pampered Chef) or a measuring cup that is slightly smaller than the mini muffin. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Loosen edges and gently remove brownies from pan. Cool completely. Wash pan, spray with cooking spray and repeat for remaining batter.

Microwave white chocolate and milk, uncovered, on high 1 minute; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In bowl, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar, mix well. Gradually stir in white chocolate mixture until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

Fill decorator tube fitted with closed star tip with cream cheese mixture. Pipe cream cheese mixture into cooled brownie cups. If desired, slice strawberries and arrange on top of brownie cups. Garnish with orange zest and mint leaves or drizzle with melted semi-sweet chocolate if desired. Place in airtight container and refrigerate 1-3 hours before serving.

Enchiladas Verde

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 onion, chopped
4 green onions
4 cloves garlic, minced
15 oz jar salsa verde
1 1/2 tsp cumin, separated
10 oz bag fresh spinach, chopped
8 oz cream cheese
1-3 lbs. chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
18 flour tortillas, taco size
10 oz fire roasted, diced tomatoes
8 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded

Spray baking pan with nonstick spray.
In large pan, cook onions and garlic in olive oil and butter until translucent.
Add 3/4 of salsa verde and 1 tsp cumin. Turn up heat and let reduce a little.
Add spinach, letting it cook down and wilt.
Turn heat to very low and break off pieces of cream cheese and stir until melted.
Add chopped chicken. Turn off heat.

Put a large spoonful of the filling into a tortilla and lay seam side down on the baking sheet. Cover and put into refrigerator until ready to bake.

In blender, add remaining salsa verde, 1/2 tsp cumin, and can of tomatoes. Blend until smooth. This makes enough for two recipes, so store half for later.

Bake uncovered at 350° for 30 minutes. Drizzle desired amount of sauce on each enchilada and sprinkle with pepperjack cheese. Bake 10 more minutes. 

Leftovers can be rewarmed in a 375° oven until hot. 

Chocolate Icing

1/4 C Butter or Margarine
2 Tbsp Cocoa
3 Tbsp Milk
1 Lb Powdered Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla
Nuts, optional

Boil butter, cocoa, and milk.
Take off heat and add powdered sugar, vanilla, and nuts, if desired.
Frost the cake while it is still hot from the oven, though you can still ice it after it cools.
Add 1/2 tsp powdered coffee for mocha flavor, if desired.

This icing makes box cakes taste like they were made from scratch.