2 for 1 On Gravy

One thing everyone should know about me is that I L O V E Christmas Ale! Like it's a little Kathy Bates, my obsessing. Great Lakes Brewery Company Christmas Ale. I'm kind of ride or die for the shit. Well last week was the official release at The Great Lakes Brewery. John and I of course went and of course it was packed as fuck. We had pizza. We made friends. We drank a lot of delicious Christmas Ale! It was awesome.

Anyway, we came home and the emotional drunk that I am, felt all "I love John and I want to spend the rest of my life with him." Blah, blah, blah! You know. Well I called his mother (Marcy) and invited her and his father (Erwin) over for dinner the up coming Sunday. The worst drunk dial ever, right?! And John, who wanted to teach me a lesson, wouldn't let me get out of it (I make the dumbest drunk dials).

So Sunday morning I had to wake up, clean the house, and cook a lovely meal. I decided on Cabernet-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Rosemary and let me tell you, they came out absolutely perfect. I did do a few modifications:

• I used beef broth instead of beef stock
• I left out the mushrooms (I HATE mushrooms, except on pizza)
• I used a teaspoon of dried rosemary
• And I always go extra garlic!!!
• I also let them cook bone-side up for 20 min (I had to go pick up John, my beetle needs a new alternator)
• Oh, and I cut my cook time short, I only let them cook an hour and 15 minutes  (John's parents came before the 2 full hours so I just went with it)
• Double oh, I poured the beef broth over after the ribs cooked for 30 minutes. I seemed to miss that step

They were absolutely perfect!!!!! I severed them with mashed potatoes, green beans and french bread. I was the perfect little host! And I followed it up with strawberry cupcakes. As John walked his parents out, his mom whispered in his ear, "She can cook!" Success!!!!


The next day. . .

Since I had a TON of gravy left over, I decided to use it for a pot roast. Another day of perfectly cooked beef, let me tell ya! This one I kind of made up on a whim. I didn't take exact measurements, but I'm a firm believer of food taste the best when you wing it.

1. Seasoned the pot roast with salt, pepper, rosemary and minced garlic. Then I rubbed it with half a pouch of Lipton onion soup mix. Pour 2 cups of beef broth and cook for 30 minutes on 350.
2. Pour leftover gravy over the pot roast. Continue cooking.
3. Boil diced potatoes and carrots until tender and drain. Add to pot roast.
4. Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Make your hubby a nice, big plate!

I mainly thank 2 great meals to the gravy. It's perfect for any beef dish.

Now it's time to get back to watching John play Arkham City and discussing the pay rate and benefits of being a goon. Possibly talking about putting an add on Craig's List