Italian Beef Sandwiches

4 lb Boneless beef sirloin or rump roast
1/2 cup Water
0.7 ounce envelope Italian dry salad dressing mix
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/2  to 1 tsp Crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
10-12 Hoagie bun, kaiser roll or bun
Provolone slices

Trim fat from beef; cut the meat into 2-3 inch pieces.  Place pieces of meat in a slow cooker.  In a small bowl, stir together the water, salad dressing mix, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper and garlic powder; pour over meat.  Cover and cook on low heat setting for 10 to 11 hours or on high heat setting for 5 to 5 1/2 hours.

Remove the beef from cooker with a slotted spoon, reserving the cooking juices.  Using two forks, pull meat apart into shreds.  To serve, fill buns with  meat and, if you like assorted toppings.  If you like place sandwich filling with cheese and place sandwiches on two large baking sheets; broil sandwiches, one pan at a time, 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Strain cooking juices through a fine mesh sieve.  Drizzle each sandwich with some of the strained juices to moisten.  If you like serve remaining cooking juices for dipping.

Sausage and Creamy Tomato Pasta

This recipe makes a lot so make sure you invite all your neighbors over.  Also have copies of this recipe ready cause it is so good!!

Ingredients:

1 lb Italian sausage cooked and drained
1 cup chopped onion
3 gloves garlic, minced
1 (16 oz) can Italian style diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
5-6 leaves of fresh basil chopped (I sometimes omit this and it still tastes great)
12 oz penne pasta (Get a 16 ounce box and use 3/4 of it)
Grated Parmesan for Topping

Directions:

Cook the pasta in salted water al dente.

While pasta is cooking, cook the Italian sausage.

Add the onions and garlic to the sausage and saute for a few minutes.

Pour the entire can of diced tomatoes and the tomato sauce and heat through.

Pour in the cream and heat through.  The longer you cook the sauce the thicker it will get so simmer until it is the consistency you want.

Add the fresh basil and let is simmer for a few minutes.

Finally mix the sauce, with the pasta and serve.  Top each serving with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.