As lazy summer days
approach, time in the kitchen is displaced by [sunblock-laden] fun in the sun. Meals should be quick and easy, and there is
nothing easier than what I put together for tonight. Hands-on time, including making the cornbread,
was about 12 minutes. I’m not
kidding. TWELVE!
The menu consisted
of boneless beef short ribs, carrots, and those delicious little potatoes from Melissa's Produce, slowly cooked in a
beef/wine broth, with a hunk of freshly-baked cornbread on the side. I used a 1.5 quart Crockpot, into which I
poured 1 cup of beef stock, 1 cup of red wine, a packet of onion soup
mix, a pinch of salt, and generous grindings of fresh pepper. The ribs (1 pound weight) went in next (I turned them to coat with the mixture), and simmered
on low for about 5 hours. At this point it was time to add the washed
potatoes that I nestled alongside the meat. I allowed them to simmer for 45 minutes, wherein I
dumped what was left of a bag of baby carrots, adding another 30-45 minutes of
cooking time (depending upon the size of your carrots, spear them with a fork to
test for doneness).
Clearly this has to
be assembled early in the day, but that’s the beauty of it. When you are freshly out of bed, having your coffee
and planning your day, this can be thrown together and you’ve finished the
dinner preparation for the day.
The cornbread is a
clone of Boston Market’s recipe. Nothing could be easier. It’s
sweeter than what you may be accustomed to, but it’s a favorite of mine; I found it
paired very well with the beef and vegetables.
Boston Market
Cornbread
2 (8.5-oz) boxes
Jiffy cornbread mix
1 (18.5-oz) box
yellow cake mix
5 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable
oil
Preheat the oven to
350F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix
all ingredients until combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the
preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes
out clean.
Here is our little dinner for two. Looks delish, no? It was!
Try it for yourself, and enjoy your day off.
This post is linked to:
Wow, a quick easy and totally satisfying meal. So interesting with the yellow cake mix added to the cornbread mix! I've used Jiffy cornbread mix many times :)
ReplyDeleteOh how I LOVE cornbread! Saving this one!
ReplyDeleteOh that does look soooooooo good. I have got to get my crockpot out and use it. I always forget. The cornbread recipe sounds amazing too. I will copy that one. Hugs, Mary
ReplyDeleteSoooo going to have to try this corn bread recipe... I've been looking for a good one... for ev er!
ReplyDeleteNo wonder Boston Market cornbread is so delicious with the cake mix! Thanks for sharing the recipe~ I love a one pot/crockpot meal!
ReplyDelete