Pot Roast

This is one of the best Pot Roast recipes I've ever had!  I love mashed potatoes with roast, so I usually cook the potatoes separately rather than in the pot with the roast.  The best part of this recipe is the gravy - sweet, flavorful, delicious!

Pot Roast

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups brown beef stock

3 1/2 - 4 pound boneless chuck roast

1 bay leaf or beef shoulder, rolled & tied

1 pound carrots, cut into diagonals

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 1/2 pounds all purpose potatoes,

1 cup chopped celery peeled and quartered

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup canned crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved

1 cup red wine in 3 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large heavy ovenproof pan (le crueset) or dutch oven, heat the oil over medium high heat. Pat the roast dry rub to coat with salt and pepper. Brown the meat on all sides in the heated casserole. Add in the onions and celery, stir and cook for 2 minutes or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, red wine, beef stock and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Cover and place pot in oven to braise.

After 1 hour, remove pot and stir in carrots. Return to oven for another 30 minutes. Remove pot from oven and stir in potatoes. Return to oven for another 30 minutes or until the meat and vegetables are tender. When the meat is tender, remove it to a platter. Remove vegetables to a bowl and cover to keep warm. 

Using a large spoon, skim off the excess fat from the remaining cooking juices. Bring liquid to a simmer on the stovetop. Slowly stir in half of the cornstarch mixture and simmer to thicken. Add more cornstarch mixture until desired gravy consistency is reached. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped parsley. Slice the beef and place on platter surrounded with the vegetables.