In Which I Imitate Pioneer Woman and Almost Burn My House Down

We've been in a serious food rut.

Same old, same old - baked ziti, chili, spaghetti, beans and rice, quiche.

Rinse. Repeat.

It was time to break out, I tell you!  In a moment of inspiration, I revisited two of my favorite things: my crockpot and The Pioneer Woman.

First, let's revisit the crockpot.  Remember my recipe series?  OK, so it was "kind of" a series.  But there were some yummy recipes I was posting for a time.  Well, here's another one for you.

I just want to warn you.  It involves (looking around furtively). . . . 

Beer.

OK.  That's done now.

May also recommend that when you go to purchase said ingredient, you do NOT visit the convenience store across the street from your church.  Just in case you run in to one of the pastors of your church.

Which I didn't.

But I could have.  And that would have been a GREAT story for the blog.

Kinda like the time our Pastor Emeritus showed up at our house for a visit, unannounced, and I came upstairs to see who it was.

In my jammies and bathrobe.  

True story.

At this point, you're wishing I would just get on with the recipe.

Me too.  So here it is!

Pulled Beef Sandwiches 

(by romeacademy from the WTMBoards)

2-3 lb. chuck roast

1 packet of Italian Good Seasonings Dressing Mix

1 12-oz. can of beer (I used Miller Lite, cuz I don't know any better!)

Cut the roast into 4-5 pieces.

Sprinkle the dressing on top.

Pour the beer over all.

Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4.

Pull meat out and shred.

Hot.  Steaming.  Ready for the sandwiches!

Pile the meat in a nice, fresh roll.  Delicious!

Not Portuguese rolls.  But close enough!

But, really, the best part of the meal was "Crash Hot Potatoes" from The Pioneer Woman.

Oh. My. Stars.

You. Must. Make. These.

I'm not going to reprint the recipe - you can go to PW's site for it - but can I just brag a bit and tell you that my own Marlboro Man made these - almost all by himself?

Can I just give you a teensy-weensy bit of advice? 

Do not - repeat - do NOT bake these on a regular cookie sheet.  Like this:

And if you decide to ignore my warning, and the olive oil drips down onto the bottom of your oven (my mother is cringing right now),

and you see flames?

Well, I warned you.

My kids thought it was cool.

Anyways.

You should have heard the chorus of "Ooohs" and "Aaaahs" when they were served!

Heaven in a potato.  Seriously.

Even the potato hater in my family said they were, and I quote, "Pretty good."

Top it off with some fudge that your amazing sister-in-law sent your from snow-covered Connecticut?

Food rut officially. Over.

Now I'm off to clean my oven.