Old Fashioned Pot Roast & Apple Bars

What is on the menu this Monday?

An Old Fashioned Pot Roast with Apple Bars

This is one of the most basic meals that every man will love and is a very nice family dinner as well.  It is easy and delicious.  Some of the most simple things tend to be forgotten and lost.  We tend to want fanciful feasts and meals made from gourmet goodness, when our men just want some meat and potatoes.  Yes, it is true.  Men love meat and potato meals.  It is no wonder when you think about how far back this recipe goes.  This has been a traditional meal that has graced the tables of farming families for hundreds of years.  Wild game roasted in a pot with potatoes and carrots.  Classic. At first I thought, why share such an easy meal?  Everyone knows how to make this.  No, this is not true.  The longer I live, the more I realize skills that have been passed down from generation to generation have been lost.  Moms are no longer teaching these skills to their daughters.  My grandmother taught my mother how to make this meal.  My mother made this meal about once a week in our home.  When ever I make this pot roast dinner, it feels like home.  The smell brings me back.Make this meal an old/new tradition in your home.

Old Fashioned Pot Roast

2-4 lbs. roast (beef, venison, lamb, or pork)
2 qts. water
6 carrots
6 potatoes
1 onion sliced
Season to taste (onion powder, garlic powder, salt, & pepper)

Put the meat into roasting pan (nesco or crockpot). We used one venison roast and one pork roast. Actually, when you add the venison and pork together, it takes the gamey taste away.  It makes the meat more flavorful and juicy adding the pork.  Slice onion and distribute around the pot.  Season meat.  I use 1 tsp each, onion powder, garlic, salt, and pepper.  Cook meat until really tender (cooking times will vary depending on if you are using an oven,a nesco, or a slow cooker).  Oven & Nesco – 2-4 hours depending if the meat is frozen or fresh.  Slow cooker/crock pot – 6-8 hours.  After the meat is cooked, add enough water to cover the meat.  Peel and cut up carrots and potatoes.  Add to the liquid and let cook for another hour.  Your pot roast is ready! Enjoy!

Make a side salad or some steamed green beans.  For dessert, I would like to share something Amanda (my apprentice keeper of the home 🙂 shared with all of us!

Grandpa Johnny Apple Bars

Dough:
2 1/2 c. flour
1 T. sugar
1/2 t. salt1 c. butter
2/3 c. milk
1 egg yolk

1. Cut in flour, sugar, salt, butter until crumbly. Form into a ball and divide in half.

2. Roll out flat on a floured surface.

3. Press into a greased 9×13 pan or 10×15 jelly roll pan.

Filling:
1 qt. sliced apples
1 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
2 T. butter

4. Mix apples, sugar and cinnamon (you can use a qt. of canned pie filling of your choice).  Spread on crust.  Dot with butter. We used my home canned apple pie filling.

5. Top with remaining crust rolled out.  Repeat the first couple steps.

7. Brush top with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sugar.

8. Bake for 30 minutes at 350˚F or until golden brown on the top.

You can add icing or glaze for an extra special treat!  Enjoy!