Au Jus for French Dip Sandwhiches

One of my hubby's favorite meals is French Dip sandwhiches. When I was a newly married innocent and knew hardly anything about anything, I made Aus Jus from a packet that I found conveniently at the store. Even now, I cringe as I think about it. Au Jus from a packet is evil, people... It's practically a federal offense. Listen to me, homemade Au Jus is incredibly easy and simple to make and tastes about 10 gazillion times better than the evil packet. You will thank me and your husbands will thank me, I promise.

Okay, back onto pleasant topics. Sometimes, if I'm feeling fancy, I will saute onions and bell peppers to put on the Roast Beef sandwich. It's yummy. And most of the time, I buy Cajun Roast Beef from the Deli counter. We love Cajun roast beef round these parts. And I'm sure you all know this, but never, ever buy the prepackaged nasty stuff... from the Deli counter always. Say it with me, "Always from the Deli".
And occasionally if I'm feeling REALLY fancy, I will simmer a roast in the crockpot all day and use that for sandwiches... thats really the best way, but then you have all that leftover roast to deal with. It's a cruel world.

One tip before we start, REALLY watch the pepper and red pepper flakes. Even putting a smidgeon more or less drastically changes the taste. For awhile there, I was making it WAY too hot, even for my husbands taste and cut back a tad on just the black pepper and it really made a difference. Play with the pepper to get it to your family's taste. I have it down now so that even my kids look forward to Au Jus night... My little pardner practically drinks the stuff when we have it. And that's saying alot!

2 c water
1 TB beef bouillon granules
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 ts crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp garlic salt

In a large saucepan, combine the water, bouillon, pepper, garlic salt, and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 15 - 20 minutes.

See? Told you it was simple! ;)