Dutch Oven Pulled Beef with Onions – $5 Dinner Challenge

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom on February 6, 2012

Dutch oven beef roast with  Dutch Oven Pulled Beef with Onions   $5 Dinner Challenge

This is one of those “oops…I forgot to start the slow cooker” meals! I had the roast, I had planned to slow cook the roast. (This is the meal I was intending to make!)

But I forgot to put my slow cooker on the counter the night before…so I completely forgot to get our dinner started.

I’ve learned that about myself over the past few years…if I can have a “clue” out on the counter about dinner, then it’s much easier for me to fit dinner prep into my afternoon, early evening schedule. As I dance in and out of the kitchen throughout the day, I spot the “clue” and that helps me formulate my plan for when to start (and usually photograph) our meal. This has really helped me avoid the whole “open-the-fridge-at-5pm-and-wonder-what’s-for-dinner” thing!

Sometimes the “clue” is a can of tomatoes and spices. Other times it’s a box or package of pasta. Occasionally the bread machine (yay for homemade pizza dough!).  And this time it was supposed to be the slow cooker. So I’d remember to start dinner, right after breakfast. Doh.

Thankfully, the Dutch oven works as a wonderful backup to the slow cooker.

Braise the roast, toss it into the Dutch oven with a bunch of onions and let it cook over low heat for 2 hours. Instead of 8!

We enjoyed this beef with some Sister Schubert’s rolls and frozen vegetables! (Sister Schubert’s $.50/1 coupon, and other Sister Schubert’s coupons!)

Note: My never pay more than price for a chuck roast is $2.49/lb.

printer famfamfam Dutch Oven Pulled Beef with Onions   $5 Dinner Challenge

Dutch Oven Beef Roast with Onions

Yield – 4 servings

Preparation Time – 10 minutes

Cooking Time – 2 hours

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil ($.10)
  • 1 ~1.25 lb. beef chuck roast ($3.26)
  • 4 small white onions ($.80)
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar ($.03)
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar ($.05)
  • 1 tsp basil leaves ($.05)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Frozen vegetables ($.80)
  • Half bag Sister Schubert’s rolls ($.75)

 

Directions

  • Add the olive oil to the Dutch oven and brown all sides of the beef roast. Then add the sliced onions, sugar, balsamic and all the seasonings.
  • Turn the heat to medium low and cover tightly. Let cook for about 2 hours, or until meat is cooked through and pulls apart easily.
  • Prepare vegetables and bread.
  • Serve Pulled Beef with Onions, along with veggies and bread, or other favorite side dish!

Cost $5.84 (with enough meat leftover for 1 lunch sandwich!)

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Hurst Beans Handmade Clay Pot – Giveaway

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom on February 6, 2012

hurst beans pot and beans 1024x1024 Hurst Beans Handmade Clay Pot   Giveaway

Yep, that’s right…another chance to win one of these uber-cool clay pots for cooking dried beans from Hurst Beans!

The past few weeks, Ohio has been experiencing some very hormonal weather, complete with hot flashes, cold flashes and a some cranky rain too. Very unusual for January…and it has been a bit confusing for us. When we were out at the park in short sleeved shirts last week (high hit 63!), the kids were insisting that summer had begin. Persistent and insistent.

I had to give them the unfortunate news that summer was not here, that snow was coming, and that likely the snow would be hitting hard! Kinda like a late winter slap in the face. Time shall tell…

I’ve been confused also in the kitchen on what to prepare for our meals…when it’s 63 and sunny…and we’re wearing short sleeves, all I want to do is whip up a quick pasta salad with all my favorite spring and summer veggies. Then the next day it’s high of 27 and all I want is a bowl of warm, comfort food.

Which brings us too…

these Boston Baked Beans. I could so go for a big bowl of these right about now. Warm. Cozy. Comfort food.

boston baked beans Hurst Beans Handmade Clay Pot   Giveaway

I so wish I had a spoon with magical powers that would let me just take a few bites right through the computer screen.

A few helpful bean resources -

Hurst HamBeens 300x179 Hurst Beans Handmade Clay Pot   Giveaway

Here are the details on this giveaway…

Contest Details

1. Contest ends on Wednesday, February 29th (leap year!) at 5 pm EST. Winners will be announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

5. Winner will be selected by Random.org.

**NOTE: If you receive the email newsletter and wish to enter this giveaway, click on the title of this giveaway to get to the site and leave a comment on the site with your name and email address to be entered!

*Disclosure: This giveaway is part of the Hurst beans campaign. I am receiving compensation as part of the campaign. More yummy recipes and 1 more giveaway coming later in the month

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butterfly 300x225 Butterfly Pretzels  Lunchbox Inspiration

This is a simple way to make your child’s lunch extra special.  Head over to A Few Shortcuts for more of these cute Lunchbox Ideas.

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Weekly Meal Plan with Printable Grocery List – 2/6

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