My "Leave it to Beaver" pot roast and GOLD for Canada!

My Red Mittens standing on guard for thee...

Our Golden moment on hockey, Crosby shoots he scores!

The Closing ceremonies are a few minutes away and I am prepping my Leave it to Beaver Pot Roast....so tasty, so easy and so retro.

Tested and served for years...a Humble Bungalow staple.

Brown roast in oil in a heavy pot with a tight fitting lid.

 I like Le Creuset.

Mix together: 

1/4 cup wine vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp. soy sauce (I use Braggs), 

2 tbsp. worchestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp. garlic, and 1/2 tsp. dry Colman's mustard

( I omit the salt suggested in the recipe)

Pour over roast and put the lid on.

There is not much liquid but if you have a heavy pan this is all you need.

Simmer 

2 hours

Enjoy the delicious aroma while this cooks.

After 2 hours, remove roast to carving board and cover with foil, let rest 5-10 minutes before carving.

I like to serve this with mashed potatoes and vegetables.  

I use the cooking liquid as a sauce on the potatoes.

I mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch in a small amount of water in a dish and then whisk it into the pan until heated through, serve!

It's pot roast night in the Humble Bungalow...the Hostess is taking it easy and watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies!

The humble bungalow hostess's prescription for wellness...

Tired

Stressed

Feeling blue?

I have the tonic for you!

I have made batch after batch of this wonderful concoction for many years.

I have given jars as hostess gifts.

I love it! 

I use it often, it's easy, inexpensive, and it lasts providing you keep it sealed.

 I like to buy vintage sealer jars whenever I see them to hold this simple but wonderful prescription for wellness.

Things you'll need...

containers or jars, be creative here and think outside the box....even ziploc bags will work in a pinch.

Quantities are for the small batch but you can make as much as you have containers for just remember your basic math when multiplying the the amounts.

Bungalow Bath Tonic

1 1/2 cups Epsom salts

1/2 cup baking soda

3 cups coarse sea salt

20 drops of essential oil ( I like lavender)

Mix all together in a bowl and stir.

Let sit for a few hours and stir occasionally to distribute the oil before placing in containers.

Guidelines for use:

Run a bath tub full of hot water and add approximately 1/2 cup salts, swish around, get in and soak for 30 minutes, close your eyes and breathe deeply, turn off your busy mind and just feel the warmth and enjoy this time that is just for you. While you relax you'll detox and when you emerge your skin will feel soft and you will feel calmer and somewhat sleepy....put on your nightie or pj's and cocoon.

Sweet dreams.

Roast Beef Sunday's best friend....the ever humble Yorkshire Pudding

I love roast beef Sunday dinners, a tradition in our family, I learned early how simple the dinner can be. Start with a good joint of beef, prime rib is my standard but can be costly, a standing rib is the next best.

I serve this roast with a variety of vegetables, and Yorkshire pudding with gravy. Some people find this pudding to be a bit of a challenge.

Mr HB gave me The Joy of Cooking back in 1974 and I have been using it ever since. You can see by the photo that the cookbook is falling apart! I do love to cook...I am very happy when hostess-ing a dinner here with family and friends.

(I double the recipe and use 2 large muffin size pans)
Have all the ingredients at room temperature.
Put a small amount of oil into each section of the muffin pans and heat in a 400 degree oven for about 7 minutes until very hot.

Oops! I have a dirty oven!

Yorkshire Pudding makes 12

Sift into a large bowl 1 and 3/4c all purpose flour and 1 tsp. salt

Make a well in the centre and pour in 1 c. milk, in a smaller bowl beat 4 large eggs until fluffy then beat into flour and milk.

When blended add 1 c. warm water and beat until bubbles form.

Remove hot pans from oven and divide batter among the muffin pans.
Cook at 400 for 20 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350 and cook another 15 minutes.

They should rise up over the top of the pan...taste wonderful with gravy.

Roast beef Sundays are not complete without Coleman's Hot Mustard and a variety of Hot and Extra Hot Horseradishes. We are always on the hunt for the best horseradish, Woodman's and Beaver Brand seem to be the favorites.

I hope that this works for you if you try the recipe, It really is very simple!
Your guests will most certainly be impressed!

Easy Peasy Pizza dough.

I have been using this recipe from 1986 and still find it to be one of the easiest recipes ever.
You'll need to remove your jewelry as it gets a wee bit messy.

1 1/3 c. warm water, 1 tbsp. dry yeast, 1 tbsp. sugar. In a large bowl mix sugar and warm water then sprinkle yeast on top, let sit for 5 minutes. It will get a bit bubbly.
Add 3 c. flour, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tsp salt and stir.

 It forms a large mass and then you get your clean hands involved! Flour your counter and knead the ball of dough until it is smooth and flour is mixed in.

Oil the same large bowl and roll dough around to coat it in the oil, cover with a tea towel and let rest away from drafts about 1 hour.

Oil your hands, punch down the dough, divide into 2 balls, and stretch to fit 2 medium pizza pans.

Add pizza or tomato sauce and toppings of your choice and top with grated cheese.

Preheat oven to 400 and cook approximately 20 minutes, some convection ovens cook quicker than others so keep an eye on it!