Cooking for Chilly Weather

There are few things more comforting than having dinner brew on the stove, filling the house with mouth-watering smells. Especially when the weather is cold, snowy, and blowy.

My favourite kind of meals when the weather is like this are ones that are comforting and cozy. They usually cook for a long time, but they come with a gravy, which gets soaked up by a piece of fresh homemade bread.

Braising & Roasting

The best way to achieve these mouth-watering smells is by braising or roasting. While both methods take some time, I highly recommend it because the result is always worth the wait.

Here are a couple of my favourites when you need something toasty and roasty to combat the weather:

• Cracked Pepper and Garlic Oven Roast

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• Braised Roast with Garlic

1 beef blade roast, about 1.5 kg or 3 lb
10-12 garlic cloves – if they are large, into quarters
3 shallots, quarters; or 1 large onion, cut into eight wedges
2 tbsp grainy mustard
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup beer
1 cup beef stock

Salt and pepper

• Remove roast from packaging and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the mustard and oil in a bowl. Set aside. Peel the shallots/onion and cut into wedges. Place on the bottom of your slow cooker dish.
• Make slits into the roast with the tip of a knife and insert the garlic cloves as far as they will go. Spread them out over both sides of the roast.
• Spread the oil and mustard mixture all over the roast, rubbing it into all the creases and cracks.
• Place roast into slow cooker dish, however it fits best. Add the beer and stock. Feel free to substitute more stock for the beer, if you like.
• Place lid on the dish, set to low for 6-8 hours, until the meat is tender enough it falls apart.

Final note from me to you: These roasts are best enjoyed with family and friends, so cuddle up and enjoy!