French Dip Sandwiches

I found another recipe appropriate for two people. Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches! This recipe makes about 3-4 sandwiches. My husband and I had two sandwiches each. If you want to increase this recipe for a family of four, I suggest getting a 3 lb roast and increasing the cooking time to about 6 hours. A cool thing about this recipe is that the left over cooking liquid can be used to make French Onion Soup! Unfortunately, it is a little too hot for me to make right now. If I do end up making it, I will post the recipe here :)

Ingredients:

1 1.5 lb rib roast (Every 1.5 lbs of roast makes 3-4 sandwiches)
1 jar of Better than Bouillon Au Jus Base (amount depends on roast size and slow cooker size)
Sandwich Rolls (4 for every 1.5 lbs of roast)
Water (enough to cover roast)

1. Trim any excess fat off of the roast.
2. Add enough water to just cover the roast (measure the water as you add).
3. For every 3/4 cup of water, add 1 tsp of the au jus base. Stir the liquid until the base dissolves
4. Add the roast to the slow cooker.
5. Cook the roast on low for about 3 hours.
6. Take out the roast and check to make sure its internal temp has reached 145 degrees F.
7. Let the roast cool on a cutting board for a few minutes, or until cool enough to slice.
8. Slice the meat into thin pieces.
9. Add the pieces back into the slow cooker and continue to heat on low for about 30 minutes.
10. Make sandwiches with the meat, and serve the cooking liquid on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

I made the roast early in the morning because I didn't want to leave the slow cooker going while I was gone. After the meat was sliced, I put it back in the slow cooker and put the crock in the fridge. When it was time for dinner, I put the crock back in the slow cooker and heated the meat back up. So this recipe can easily be made ahead of time.

"Japanese-Style" Steak and Fried Rice

One of my biggest complaints about recipes is that so many of them are designed for families! I hate making a huge a mount of food because it always seems to go to waste. So I like recipes that can easily be altered for two people. I am not a great cook, but I do love to make food! Here is one of my favorite recipes that I got from my father. Warning: It is not the healthiest recipe out there. The secret ingredient is butter. But I am sure you could cut back on the butter by using a different cooking oil and/or a non-stick pan. I just don't think it would taste as good

Simple "Japanese-Style" Steak and Fried Rice For Two

Ingredients:

• Sirloin Steak (about 1-2 lbs of steak, or 1/2-1 lb per person)
• 1/2 cup of good soy sauce
• 1 tsp of fresh minced garlic
• About three tablespoons of butter

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1/2 cup of your favorite frozen or fresh chopped veggies (I like peas and bite-sized carrots for this recipe)
• 2 chicken eggs
• 1/2 cup of good soy sauce
• Garlic Salt (not the kind with parsley!)
• About 4 tablespoons of butter

1. Cook the rice in a rice cooker with 1 1/2 cups of water.
2. While the rice is cooking, cut steak into bite-sized cubes. 
3. Mix soy sauce, minced garlic, and steak into a large zip lock bag. Mix well and place in the refrigerator.
4. When the rice is cooked, heat a large pan to medium heat. Melt about 1/2 tablespoon of butter in the pan.
5. Scramble the eggs and add them to the pan. Season with a pinch of garlic salt (about 1/8 tsp).
6. After the eggs are cooked, add 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup of the soy sauce, and all of the rice to the pan. Cook for about five minutes (or until the vegetables are thawed), stirring occasionally.
7. Thaw vegetables (if frozen) in the microwave. Once thawed, drain well and add to the pan with another tablespoon of butter if desired (it helps to soften the veggies, but you can omit or reduce if you are watching calories). Stir well.
8. Taste the rice and add the rest of the soy sauce to taste. Add another pinch of garlic salt if desired. Cook for about three more minutes.
9. Set the rice aside and get the steak from the fridge. Heat another pan up to medium-high heat.
10. Melt a tablespoon of butter in the pan. Add a handful of the steak cubes (it is important not to crowd the pan!) and sprinkle with a little garlic salt.
11. Cook the steak for 1-3 minutes (depending on the size of the pieces and the desired doneness), turning the pieces to cook evenly.
12. Continue to cook the steak in small batches, adding 1/2 of a tablespoon of butter in between each batch. Sprinkle each batch with a little pinch of garlic salt.
13. Serve and enjoy!