The Cooking Family

Savory Smoked Roast With Au Jus

Smoked roast served with our smoked macaroni and cheese.
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Savory Smoked Roast With Au Jus
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Resting Time
10 mins
 

We are always looking for new ideas of things to cook with our smoker. A friend recommended a roast. We tried this recipe last night along with our smoked macaroni and cheese and corn and were really pleased with the results. We hope you will be too!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: smoked roast, smoker recipe
Servings: 8 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 2 lb sirloin beef roast
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 cup Montreal Steak seasoning
Au Jus
  • 14 oz beef broth
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp flour
  • dash garlic powder
  • dash onion powder
  • dash pepper
Instructions

  1. Preheat your smoker to 230 degrees. Soak and add hickory smoking chips (pecan, applewood and mesquite also work well).

  2. Trim your roast of any excess fat.

  3. Rub your roast first with salt and then rub the roast with Montreal Steak seasoning.

  4. Pour your beef broth into the water pan and place inside your smoker.

  5. Place your roast on a smoker rack and smoke until an internal temperature of 140 degrees, or until desired doneness.

  6. Remove your roast from the smoker and let rest it for 10 minutes before slicing.

  7. After the meat is finished cooking make your au jus, Take your broth (along with the fat that dripped in the pan while smoking) and pour it into a sauce pan. Add your flour and a dash each of garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper (to taste).

  8. Slice your roast and serve with au jus.

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Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
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Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Cooling Time
20 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
 

Simple crockpot recipe that tastes great! Not recommended for cooking on low temperature.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken and gravy, crockpot recipe
Servings: 10 people
Author: Linda
Ingredients
  • 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (around 2.5 lbs)
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup (can use healthy type)
  • 1 14 oz can chicken broth (can use reduced sodium type)
  • 2 packs brown gravy mix
  • 4 Tbsp flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions

  1. Place the chicken in the bottom of a medium sized crockpot.

  2. Season with garlic powder and pepper.

  3. In a separate bowl, combine the soup, broth, gravy mix and flour and mix well. Pour the mixture over the top of the chicken.

  4. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours (until ready to shred). Not recommended for cooking on low temperature.

  5. Reduce to warm and shred the chicken into bite size pieces using two forks.

  6. Gravy thickens as it cools. Remove the lid once done and let it cool for about 20 minutes before serving. (Will still be hot.)

  7. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes or noodles.

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Apple Dump Cake

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Apple Dump Cake
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

Here’s a super easy, but great tasting recipe that is perfect for those family 4th of July gatherings. You can also substitute any pie filling to fit your taste including cherry or blueberry.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert, dump cake
Servings: 12
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 2 cans apple pie filling (can use cherry or blueberry or any other pie filling flavor)
  • 1/2 box box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.

  3. Mix apple pie filling and cinnamon and pour into the pan. Spread it evenly.

  4. Sprinkle cake mix on top and smooth evenly.

  5. Pour your melted butter over the top. Swirl it into the cake mix with a knife.

  6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

  7. Cool on a baking rack.

  8. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. (optional)

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Oven Roasted Potatoes

Oven Roasted Potatoes with Garlic Butter Skillet Chicken
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Oven Roasted Potatoes
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
 

Here’s a easy side dish that pairs well with chicken. Pictured here with our Garlic Butter Skillet Chicken.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 large potatoes
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp rosemary
  • 1 Tbsp thyme
  • 1 Tbsp basil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions

  1. Wash your potatoes. Do not peel them. Dice them into 1” cubes.

  2. Soak potatoes in cold water for up to 1 hour. Drain and dry potatoes before adding spices. This step is optional. If you don’t have time, you can skip this step.

  3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

  4. Place your spices and olive oil in a gallon size bag, zip and shake to mix. Add potatoes and zip and shake bag again.

  5. Spray baking sheet. Place potatoes on the baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes until brown and tender.

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Garlic Butter Skillet Chicken

Oven Roasted Potatoes with Garlic Butter Skillet Chicken
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Garlic Butter Skillet Chicken
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup chicken stock
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp rosemary
Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pound thicker parts of chicken to even their thickness.

  2. Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.

  3. Add oil to skillet, then add chicken. Cook chicken about 5 – 6 minutes per side. Remove from heat when center registers 165 degrees on a thermometer. Transfer to a plate.

  4. Reduce heat slightly, then melt the butter in same skillet. Add in garlic powder, poultry seasoning, oregano and rosemary.

  5. Pour in the chicken broth and stir until blended.

  6. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over top. Serve warm.

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Bacon Swiss Crockpot Chicken

Bacon Swiss Crockpot Chicken
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Bacon Swiss Crockpot Chicken
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 hrs
Total Time
5 hrs 15 mins
 

This is a easy to prepare meal that only requires four ingredients. You can add other ingredients if you’d like such as a can of sliced mushrooms, can of corn, can of peas, etc. Be sure if you add a canned vegetable that you drain it first before adding.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 5 slices bacon
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup swiss cheese, diced
Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and blot with paper towels.

  2. Crumble the bacon and place it in a sandwich bag inside the refrigerator.

  3. Cook the chicken in the bacon drippings over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until light brown, turning once.

  4. Place the chicken in a 4- to 6-quart crockpot.

  5. If you want to add a canned vegetable, drain it and then add the vegetable on top of the chicken.

  6. Heat the cream of chicken soup in the skillet you used to brown the chicken, mixing with the bacon drippings.

  7. Pour the sauce over the chicken.

  8. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken registers 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

  9. Dice your swiss cheese and top the chicken with the cheese and the crumbled bacon.

  10. Cover again and cook on high for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

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Beef Stew

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Beef Stew
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 hrs
Total Time
10 hrs 10 mins
 

Terrific flavor to this beef stew. Make sure you keep the proportions of meat/vegetable even. Doubling the stew ingredients without doubling the meat and vegetables can give this recipe a spicy flavor it you wanted a spicy variation.

Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 4 carrots, peeled and diced
Instructions

  1. Peel and dice your potatoes and carrots.

  2. Chop your onion.

  3. Place your meat into your crockpot.

  4. In a small bowl mix your flour, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over your meat and flip the meat to coat both sides.

  5. Using the same mixing bowl mix your garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Pour mixture over the top of your meat.

  6. Add your onion, potatoes and carrots on top of the meat.

  7. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

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Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes

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Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken, rosemary
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp rosemary
  • 1 Tbsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 1/2 lbs red potatoes, halved
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

  2. Mix oil, rosemary, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in large bowl. Coat chicken and potatoes with mixture.

  3. Cover baking pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Add potatoes in a single layer.

  4. Bake potatoes for 15 minutes.

  5. Push potatoes to one side of the pan and add the chicken.

  6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes longer, until the chicken is completely cooked and the potatoes are tender. Turning the potatoes occasionally while cooking.

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Tasty Steak Bites

Steak Bites
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Tasty Steak Bites
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for flavorful steak bites.

Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
For Your Steak:
  • 23 oz steak, cut into 2 inch cubes (can use sirloin, rump, porterhouse or ribeye)
  • 1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Seasoning:
  • 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp brown sugar
Instructions

  1. Combine seasoning ingredients in a shallow bowl.

  2. Add steak bites and toss until evenly coated.

  3. Sear your bites for 2-3 minutes per side until your edges are brown and crispy. Add extra oil if needed. Set aside.

  4. Reduce your heat to medium.

  5. Add butter and garlic powder to the skillet. Stir to combine. Heat until butter is melted.

  6. Remove pan from heat and turn off burner. Place the steak bites into the skillet and toss in the butter mixture to completely coat.

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Russian Chicken Stroganoff

Russian Chicken Stroganoff
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Russian Chicken Stroganoff
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Servings: 4 people
Author: Taynara
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 lbs chicken breast (cut into strips)
  • 2 1/2 cups portobello mushrooms (halved and sliced)
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock (can substitute chicken broth)
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions

  1. Cut your onions and mushrooms and set aside.

  2. Cut your chicken into strips and set aside.

  3. Fry your chicken pieces in a deep frying pan on medium high heat. Then set aside.

  4. Saute your onions in butter until they are opaque.

  5. Add your mushrooms to the pan and saute until they are soft and release juice.

  6. Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir, making sure there are no lumps. Cook for 1 minute.

  7. Add tomato paste to the mushroom mixture and mix well.

  8. Add your fried chicken strips to the mushroom mixture and stir well.

  9. Add ground mustard, paprika and brandy. Stir and allow the alcohol to slightly cook out for about 1 minute.

  10. Add chicken stock/broth and stir. 

  11. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  12. Stir in your sour cream and serve over potatoes, egg noodles, rice or pasta.

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