Yankee Pot Roast

Six generous servings:

1 bone – in piece of chuck roast, 4- 5 pounds, trimmed of excess fat
Sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Vegetable oil, such as canola
4-5 cloves garlic, sliced
1 large carrot, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 teaspoons dried thyme or 6 sprigs fresh
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons flour
3 ½ cups water or half chicken stock, half water. Do not use beef stock.
2 tablespoons tomato paste
8 – 10 small onions
5 carrots in 1 -2 inch pieces
1 pound red potatoes or larger white potatoes in chunks
1 pound large mushrooms, quartered

Over high heat, pour sufficient oil to cover the bottom of a large Dutch oven or
other large heavy pot (we use a large French enameled iron pot), generously salt
and pepper both sides of the roast and sear meat until well browned on both
sides. Remove meat and pour off oil. Return pot to medium heat and add
chopped carrot, celery, onion and the garlic. Cook stirring, adding a small
amount of oil if necessary, until softened but not browned. Sprinkle flour over
vegetables and stir for 2-3 minutes. Return meat, adding water, tomato paste and
herbs.

Bring to a simmer on top of the stove, cover (use aluminum foil under cover if it
does not fit tightly). Place into preheated 325 degree oven and cook for 2 hours.
Check at 1 hour and turn meat if it is not covered by liquid; add additional water
if liquid is too thick – it should be the consistency of thin gravy.

At 2 – 2 ¼ hours, add remaining vegetables; the time varies according to size.
Cook for a total of 3 hours. If the vegetables are not quite cooked, cover and let sit
– cooking will continue using retained heat. Check for seasoning, adding salt or
pepper to taste.

Skim excess fat from the liquid, cut meat into serving size pieces, arrange on a
heated platter and surround with vegetables. Moisten with some of the liquid,
pass the remainder at the table and enjoy a true New England tradition.

Creamy Alfredo Chicken

1/4 cup flour                                                                   6 boneless,skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 t. salt                                                                        2 T. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced                                                   1 T onion, minced
1 1/2 cups whipping cream                                            1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 t black pepper                                                        1T chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 375*F. Place flour in shallow dish. Sprinkle chicken with salt and coat with flour. heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, cook turning once until golden, 2-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and place in 13"x9" baking dish.
 Heat olive oil in same skillet over medium heat and saute' onion and garlic until tender.Increase heat to medium-high, add whipping cream, Parmesan and pepper. cook until sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened. Spoon over chicken. Bake 8- 12 minutes.

Blueberry Muffins

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries                               2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar                                                                  1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt                                                            1 egg
1 cup milk                                                                      1/4 cup oil
Preheat oven to 400* F. grease 12 muffin cups.Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix egg, milk and oil then add to dry ingredients until just combined. Add blueberries. spoon into prepared muffin cups. bake until golden, about 18 minutes.