Pot Roast and Key Lime Pie on the 4th of July

There’s something special about the simplicity of home cooked meals.Especially if they are Mom-cooked- to perfection, with all her heart and soul..Dinner on the 4th of July with special friends-the best hosts ever.Magaritas to die for, a Pot Roast which simply melted in my mouth, the best herbed mashed potatoes .The Grace before dinner-nostalgic.Reminded me of school and the nuns.I remember God a great deal….but when was it last that I’d said the Grace?Aeons ago!!A great game of Rummy Cube after dinner….and a wickedly delicious Key Lime Pie for dessert. A perfect 4th of July.Thank you friends!

Strawberry Margaritas

2-3 cups ice cubes/chips
2 cups washed,cleaned, hulled strawberries
¾ cup Tequila
Juice of 1 lime

Put ice into the blender.Top with lime juice, tequila and strawberries.Cover blender.Start mixing by pulsing at first and then running the blender continuously.Mix till you get a slushy mixture.Pour into magarita glasses….enjoy!
Strawberry lovers can add extraaaa strawberries!

Pot Roast in a Crock Pot

2-3 lb pot roast
Flour
1 stick butter/margarine
1 lb carrots, peeled, and ends cut off
Salt and pepper to taste
1 large can crushed tomatoes
¾ cup water

Coat both sides of pot roast with flour. In a Dutch oven or skillet melt butter; brown meat slowly on both sides. Sprinkle with salt and the pepper. Place ½ the can of tomatoes in the crock pot.Place meat over it.Add the remaining tomatoes over the pot roast. Pour warer over the meat-(alternatively you can use an equal amout of chicken stock or red wine).Let it simmer and cook in the crock pot for about 3-4 hours.Add the carrots closer to cooking time.
Other veggies which can be added-string beans, onions, garlic.

Mashed Potatoes

8-12 medium sized potatoes, washed, peeled and quartered
1 stick of butter
A little grated cheddar
½ a cup of skim milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Parsley for garnish
4 cups of water

Boil the potatoes in water. Drain when tender.Using an electric whisk, blend potatoes.Season.Add milk, cheddar and butter.Whisk for another 2 minutes.
Garnish with parsley.

Key Lime Pie

1 cup crumbled cookies
½ cup butter

Mix well, and spread using fingers into a 9” pie dish.

1 can condensed milk
4 egg yolks
½ cup lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
Whipped cream for garnish

Beat yolks till thick and light yellow. Add condensed milk.Whisk on low speed, add lime juice and zest of lime.Pour over cookie base in pie dish.
Bake in a moderately hot oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
Cool and garnish with whipped cream.Serve chilled.