Shelly's Recipe

Ultimate Pot Roast

Category: Roasts/Tenderloin - Beef

1 boneless beef chuck-eye or other chuck roast (3 to 4 pounds)
2 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons salt, divided
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 cup dry red wine or reduced-sodium beef broth
2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1 pound small red potatoes, quartered
4 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
6 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

(1) Preheat oven to 325°. Pat roast dry with a paper towel; tie at 2-in. intervals with kitchen string. Sprinkle roast with pepper and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown roast on all sides. Remove from pan.

(2) Add onions, celery and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the same pan; cook and stir over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until onions are browned. Add garlic, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaves; cook and stir 1 minute longer.

(3) Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan; stir in broth. Return roast to pan. Arrange potatoes, parsnips and carrots around roast; bring to a boil. Bake, covered, 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until meat is fork-tender.

(4) Remove roast and vegetables; keep warm. Discard bay leaves; skim fat from cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook 10-12 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half (about 1-1/2 cups). Stir in vinegar and parsley; season with salt and pepper to taste.

(5) Remove string from roast. Serve with vegetables and sauce. Yield: 8 servings.