This savory sandwich is simple to make and a favorite in my family. While the roast is cooking it’s making the best au jus for dipping. Everything is done in the slow cooker. You simply drain the broth once the roast is cooked, shred the meat, and place on toasted rolls. It’s just that easy and so good!
Where did the French dip come from? The origins of this tasty sandwich begin in Los Angeles back in the early twentieth century. Two historic L.A. restaurants, Phillipe’s and Coles, claim to have invented the iconic French dip. It seems that there’s more documented evidence that Phillipe’s created the French dip. Either way, both restaurants still have this fantastic sandwich on their menus. I may have to take a road trip to investigate this for myself.
Happy Eating!
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
French Dip
Yield: 6 to 8 sandwiches
Ingredients
Chuck roast (2 to 3 lbs.)
2 cups water
½ cup soy sauce
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp whole peppercorns
8 hoagie rolls, toasted
Instructions
In a slow cooker whisk together water, soy sauce, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder and peppercorns. Place the roast in the slow cooker.
Cook on high for 6 hours or until beef is tender.
Place cooked roast on a platter. Drain broth through a strainer and place the hot broth back in the slow cooker to keep warm.
Shred the roast with forks.
Place shredded meat on toasted rolls and serve with individual bowls of the au jus (juice) for dipping.
Who doesn’t want a piece of cake for breakfast? That’s what a muffin is, and that is why I love them. This recipe was given to me many years ago by my mother-in-law. My family loves these moist, delicious muffins that can be customized to any type of muffin you like.
The original recipe uses regular milk but I use buttermilk. It adds to the flavor and texture. Use whatever milk you prefer. I have only made these muffins with regular cow’s milk or buttermilk (made from cow’s milk), so I can’t speak for the various non-dairy milks. I can attest to the effectiveness of the original recipe, and it’s good.
The crumb topping is my addition to these perfect little breads. It’s crunchy and sweet, adding a nice contrast to the softness of the muffin. It’s completely optional, but highly recommended. I usually make half with the topping. Customize the muffins with the fruit of your choice, or keep them plain. Have fun with this recipe.
Happy Eating!
I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
Blueberry Muffins
Yield: 12 muffins
Ingredients
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°, line cupcake pan with paper liners.
In a medium bowl beat the egg with a fork.
Stir in the milk and oil.
Stir in the sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add the flour and mix until just combined. Don’t over mix.
Fold in the blueberries.
Fill each cupcake liner with the batter.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Check after 15 minutes.
Let cool slightly. The muffins are best served warm.
Optional crumb topping:
yield: enough for 6 muffins
Ingredients
4 Tbsp. melted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. flour
Melt butter in a small bowl.
Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour.
Scoop topping on raw muffin batter before going into the oven.
Notes
Blueberries: Use frozen or fresh. Frozen blueberries will give blue streaks in the batter.
Milk: Regular milk works great, buttermilk is even better.
Fillings: It doesn’t have to be blueberries. Add bananas, chocolate chips, poppy seeds, or your favorite fruit.
Cook time: Every oven is different. Start checking the muffins after 15 minutes. Tops should be golden brown.
In case you’ve never heard of Chuy’s, it’s a Tex-Mex restaurant that started in Austin. My favorite thing at Chuy’s is this amazing creamy jalapeno dip. When they bring chips and salsa to your table, they also bring creamy jalapeno dip. It is so addictive and so delicious! If you have never been to Chuy’s or never had this incredible dip, you are going to want to make it.
This dip is super easy to make. Throw everything in the food processor and in a few minutes you’ve got creamy, spicy, deliciousness on a chip. It’s really close to the original Chuy’s recipe, maybe even better. That’s just my opinion. I’ll quit talking and get to the recipe. That’s what we all want anyway.
Happy Eating!
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno Dip
Equipment needed: Food processor, blender, or immersion blender
Yield: 2.5 cups
Ingredients
2 to 3 jalapenos chopped, (seeds and ribs removed)
handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
3 gloves garlic, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chiles
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 packet ranch dip mix (1 oz.)
Instructions
In a food processor add jalapenos, cilantro, garlic, and lime juice. Pulse until finely chopped.
Add the green chiles, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and ranch dip mix. Pulse until smooth.
Now it’s ready to enjoy. Keep in the refigerator for up to a week.
Notes
*The consistency is runny. Don’t be alarmed if it’s not thick. It’s not supposed to be.
*If you like things hot and spicy then add another jalapeno, or leave the seeds intact. It’s not super spicy, it’s mild.
* The flavors get better the longer it sits in the fridge. You can enjoy the dip right away, or let it chill for a few hours first.
* Ranch dip mix vs. ranch dressing mix. I use the dip mix. I assume the ranch dressing mix works as well.
What if we saw every trial, trouble, triumph, and tragedy in detail laid out in front of us, that covered the span of our lives? Would it change the decisions we made? Would we even be able to handle it? Would it change our faith? Would we have faith in God?
There is a very good reason that God is God, and that I am not. I would like nothing more than to look ahead in my current situation and see something, anything. When I attempt to look ahead I either look with eyes of faith, and know it’s all going to work out, or I look with fear and see a lot of potentially bad things. I can’t see beyond right now, not that I could before Tom’s kidney failure, dialysis, and possible transplant. I made a false assumption that I could see clearly ahead, though this was not a conscious decision, that’s what I was doing. That is not reality.
I like to tell God my plans and then say, “OK Lord, get to work on that.” His patience and mercy are such a gift and blessing. His love for me is astounding. God is teaching me in a whole new way, I don’t need to know what’s ahead, because He does. God not only knows what is ahead for me and Tom, He has ordained it. He is faithful and will get us through whatever we need to deal with. We are not facing anything alone, especially the unknown, yet this is still very difficult for me.
You’d think I would have this down by now, trust God and surrender everything to Jesus, obviously not. My faith is being tested. This is all part of the journey of following Christ. I am grateful for this trial, though I would never choose it. I hate seeing my husband suffer. When he hurts, I hurt. We are learning so many things, including perseverance.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Letperseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4, NIV
As I was driving home from the hospital one night, after Tom’s most recent stay, God gave me revelation. He told me not knowing and having no answers is exactly how He wants me to live. God reminded me to trust Him fully, especially in the unknown. It’s all going to be O.K. The road may be rough, but He will get us exactly where we need to be. It gave me total peace. We both have peace. Praise God for that. It’s all still hard, and can be scary and overwhelming, but He’s got us.
With so many encouraging passages of scripture that I am clinging to, Psalm 55 has brought a lot of solace. Here are a few of the sections that I go back to, often. May they encourage you as well.
Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; 2 hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. 5 Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. 6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. 7 I would flee far away and stay in the desert; 8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”
16 As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. 17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. 18 He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Whatever your unknowns are today, know that He is with you. Even if you can’t see a thing in front of you, and you wish you could, He is already there in those unknown places. God will take care of you. He is faithful.
The mighty Mississippi River snakes through Vicksburg, Mississippi. Side note: close your eyes and spell Mississippi out loud. Try M-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-humpback-humpback-i. Does anyone else remember that from childhood?
Back to my story. In 2021, we went to Vicksburg, Mississippi to see the historic Civil War battle field. My husband is a huge Civil War buff so Vicksburg was on the bucket list. It’s an incredible place. I highly recommend it if you love history. I’m sharing this picture with the pretty view from Vicksburg National Military Park, as an ode to my husband, Tom.
September 30th, is our twenty-ninth wedding anniversary. We are one year away from three decades of marriage, which is incredible. As momentous as this milestone is, we won’t be celebrating with a fancy dinner out, or a trip to some fun destination. Tom has been in the hospital since Tuesday of last week. Kidney failure struck again, but this time the blow was the worst ever.
This is Tom’s third hospitalization in three and a half years. Dialysis started this week and it’s not something we ever wanted, who does. Tom is supposed to come home on our anniversary, which would be the best gift. No jewelry or expensive gifts for me, not that I am into any of that. Those are the stereotypical anniversary presents. All I want is my husband healthy, and I’m praying for it.
After decades of marriage, I can look back on the good and bad times, and always see God’s faithful hand in our lives. Right now is an extremely difficult time, and also an opportunity for us to once again see God’s hand healing, providing, and caring for us. I would never choose this for my husband but what my Heavenly Father is allowing is for our good and His glory. We trust Him.
Months ago I was in the kitchen slicing potatoes as I prepared dinner. I cut my finger and without hesitation Tom got up from the family room, grabbed the knife, and finished slicing the potatoes as I got a bandage. He was exhausted after working all night. But that’s what you do for the one you love. That’s what my husband does for me. That’s what we do for each other. We don’t have to discuss it, we just jump in and help each other in our time of need. That is real love.
I’m helping Tom right now with the strength that the Lord provides. We stick together, and stick up for one another. When the two became one, we feel each other’s pain, and help each other. Tom has helped me and lifted me up countless times. It’s my turn. Thank you God, for twenty-nine years of a wonderful marriage, not perfect, but blessed.
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24, NKJV
Love you all,
Meghan
Photo credit: Meghan E. White
Just for fun and a few laughs, a quote from The Princess Bride, one of Tom’s favorite movies. If you’ve never seen it you won’t get it. The rest of us get it.
The Impressive Clergyman:
“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us together today. Mawage, that blessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam. And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva. So tweasure your wuv.”
