ROAST BEEF RECIPES: August 2011

Pot Roast with Rosemary and Garlic

Roast Beef Recipe Ingredients:

1 center cut chuck roast (or 7-blade roast), about 3 pounds
salt and pepper
oil
1 quart beef stock or broth
3-4 springs fresh rosemary
5 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tblsp corn starch

Roast Beef Recipes Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
Peel the garlic but leave the cloves whole. Generously season both sides of the roast with salt and pepper.

Pour just enough oil into a Dutch oven to cover the bottom and heat over medium-high heat. Brown the roast well on both sides. You want to really brown it until it’s a dark brown. I also hold the roast up and brown the edges as well. I think that this extra step really helps hold in the moisture and it just makes your roast look pretty, too.

Remove from the heat. Add the beef stock or broth. If necessary, add enough water to bring the level of liquid halfway up the side of the roast. Add the rosemary and garlic.

Cover tightly and place in preheated oven. I like to use a piece of foil between the pot and the lid to make for a really tight seal. Keeps all the juices inside and very little evaporates. Please note my pitiful old Dutch oven above. It’s pathetic, I know. You’d think after all these years of cooking I’d have bought myself a decent Dutch oven, wouldn’t you? Don’t worry. I’ve already mentioned to Santa that I’d like one under the tree this year. Santa usually delivers pretty well around here!

Cook for 1 ½ hours. Remove the roast from the oven and allow to stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

While the roast is resting, make the gravy.

Skim off as much fat as possible from the cooking liquid. I like to use a separator cup. You pour in your liquids, wait a few minutes while the fat rises to the top and then pour the de-fatted liquid back into your pot. A really great gadget! I get a lot more fat off by using it than trying to skim. Place the pot with your de-fatted cooking liquid back over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a boil. Dissolve the corn starch in ¼ cup water and stir it into the boiling liquid. If desired, mash the softened, cooked garlic and add to the gravy. Enjoy!
beef-roast-with-green-beans-caramelized

Beef Roast with Green Beans & Caramelized Onions
ROAST BEEF RECIPE INGREDIENTS

1 (4 pound) beef round tip roast
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 (12-ounce) jar beef gravy
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Green Beans & Carmelized Onions:

4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large onions, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 (16-ounce) package frozen green beans, cooked, warm

ROAST BEEF RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat oven to 325°F.
2. Combine garlic and pepper; press onto beef roast. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 325°F oven 2 hours for medium rare; 2 1/2 hours for medium doneness.
3. Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp; remove bacon. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings. Add onions; cook over medium-low heat 35 to 40 minutes or until very soft, stirring occasionally. Stir in vinegar and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat 1 to 2 minutes or until liquid is evaporated. Add beans and bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 140°F for medium rare; 155°F for medium. Tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 5°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium.)
5. Remove rack from pan; stir in gravy, Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 cup water. Cook and stir over medium-low heat 3 to 5 minutes or until bubbly. Carve roast. Serve with sauce and vegetables.