Perfect Rainy Day Pot Roast

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yield: 8 SERVINGS prep: 30 MINUTES cook: 4 HOURS total: 4 HOURS 30 MINUTES

Publishing this recipe that I sent around in my newsletter last year! I’m making it tomorrow for a friend, hopefully it turns out just as good.

Adapted from Damn Delicious’ recipe. My changes include adding bay leaves, using double/triple concentrated tomato paste, mixing red miso into the beef broth, and adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes while the onions are softening.

It’s savory, satisfying, and oh so comforting.

 Serve with crusty bread, polenta, or a pile of mashed potatoes and call over a bunch of friends to enjoy it. 

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 pounds boneless chuck roast, excess fat trimmed 
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 medium sweet onion, cut into 1-inch wedges
  • 4 tablespoons double/triple concentrated tomato paste
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1 cup beef stock warmed up and mixed with 2.5 tablespoons red miso
  • 5-6 large carrots, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 ½ pounds small Yukon gold potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. A day ahead of time, season beef with two tablespoons of Maldon salt. Put in fridge until ready to cook.
  2. Day of cooking, pull out meat and let get to room temp (about two hours). 
  3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  4. Season meat again with 2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  5. Heat canola oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add beef and cook until evenly browned, about 5-6 minutes per side; set aside.
  6. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in red pepper flakes for 2 minutes.
  8. Add tomato paste and garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  9. Stir in wine and miso-infused beef stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven.
  10. Stir in carrots, mushrooms, thyme and rosemary; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer. Top with beef.
  11. Place into oven, covered, and bake for 2 hours. Uncover and add potatoes; place into oven, covered, and bake until beef is fork-tender, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  12. Let stand 15 minutes. Fish out bay leaves and remove beef from the Dutch oven; shred, using two forks.
  13. Serve beef, potatoes, carrots and mushrooms with juices immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired. Insider tip: serve with labneh on the side, Iranian style!

CHEF’S ANECDOTES

The making of this meal felt like the embodiment of the good things in my life. I walked to the neighborhood butcher to buy it. I salted the meat a day ahead while James and I chatted about upcoming creative plans. After it had seared and I had a little nibble, I called my sister and said, “You’re coming over for dinner.” As it cooked slowly, I read and edited and listened to records and the rain. As it roasted, it filled the house with such an intoxicating savory aroma that our living room felt like a magical tavern you’d frequent between quests in a fantasy world.

For your scheduling convenience:

Salt 24 hours before

2 hours to get to room temp

1 hour for searing and boiling

2 hours to cook covered

1.5 hours to cook uncovered

15 minutes to let sit

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