French Dip Sandwiches

This is such an easy recipe that it doesn't really even need to be written down (though I probably should have gotten my act together and actually taken pictures. Oops!) My family loves these and it really is a easy meal that makes your whole house smell amazing! Your family will think you've spent all day in the kitchen!

Directions:

Buy a roast big enough to feed your family. Generously sprinkle it with sea salt and rub it into the meat. Then use your favorite steak seasoning (I like to use McCormick Steakhouse Seasoning Grinder) and VERY generously coat all sides of the roast and rub it into the meat. Your roast should look pretty dirty by the time your done with it (this is where a picture would have come in handy, right?! But my hands were dirty and I was too lazy to wash them and take a picture!) Don't be afraid to really season that sucker. Then brown all the sides of the roast before putting it in your crockpot. Add water until the roast is not quite covered. This will be your au jus dip so make sure you'll have enough for each person but not so much water that it is too diluted. Then cut up 2 medium or one really large onion and place the slices on top. Cook this on low for about 8 hours.

When the meat is cooked take out the roast and shred it. Butter hoagie style buns and toast them on a griddle. Put slices of pepper jack cheese on the buns and then hot roast pieces. You can also add mayo if you like but I usually don't. Give each person a small bowl of au jus to dip their sandwich in and enjoy!

Cucumber Salad

One of my neighbors gave me a bag of cucumbers this week so I decided to make this cucumber salad recipe that I'd seen on Pinterest.  I did it as the recipe called for but I have altered it a bit because I thought the vinegar was too strong.  This is my altered version.  I really liked it.  It's very crisp and "summery."  Though, admittedly, not for everyone.  It does have A LOT of flavor!

4 thinly sliced cucumbers
1 large  sliced red onion
1 large  sliced green bell  pepper (or color of your choice)
1 Tbsp salt
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tsp celery flakes
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp. minced garlic 

In a bowl place cucumbers, onion, peppers, salt, celery flakes, red pepper flakes and gently stir.  

Bring to a boil the vinegar,water,and garlic .  Then add two large handfuls of ice.

Pack vegetable mixture tightly into 2 quart jars (or 4 pints). Pour slightly cooled liquid mixture into the jars until they are full.  Keep in the refrigerator for up to two months.

Original recipe from Pinterest can be found Here.