Slow Cooker "Melt in Your Mouth" Pot Roast

There's nothing quite like sitting down to a hearty, slow cooked dinner at day's end.  And, it's even better when that dinner is pot roast with all the trimmings.  This recipe has proven to produce thee best pot roast I've ever made.  Every component is pure perfection.  The meat is juicy and fall-apart tender.  The vegetables are cooked just right and are full of flavor.  The seasonings are simply spot on and the broth yields a fabulous gravy-like sauce that is divine when poured over everything prior to serving.

We usually have leftovers of this, so we often make hash the following day.  The leftover roast is, also, fabulous utilized in a hot roast beef sandwich for lunch.

Yields 4 - 6 servings.


Ingredients:

1 chuck roast (mine was 3 pounds)
Olive oil
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 onion, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 stalks celery, cut into large chunks (optional)
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon corn starch

SEASONING MIX -

2 tablespoons steak seasoning (mine is store-bought and has a blend of peppercorns, garlic, paprika, parsley and salt)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried rosemary

Directions:

Combine together seasoning mix in a small bowl.  Set aside.

Coat both sides of meat with olive oil.  Sprinkle on a third of the seasoning mix onto each side.

Sear both sides of the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Transfer roast to slow cooker.

Place the vegetables in a large bowl.  Drizzle on a little olive oil to coat vegetables.  Sprinkle on the remaining seasoning mix.  Add the vegetables to the same skillet that was used to sear the meat. Sauté for about five minutes - stirring occasionally.

Transfer the vegetables to the top of the roast in the slow cooker.  Pour in the beef broth. Cover with lid.

Cook on low for 9 hours or on high for 6 hours.

Using a turkey baster, retrieve most of the cooking juices from the slow cooker.  Transfer juices to a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat on the stovetop.  Whisk together the cornstarch with a little water.  Blend into the pan juices while whisking.  Bring back to a simmer until thickened.  Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Transfer the roast and vegetables to a large platter.  Ladle the gravy over.  Serve immediately.

ANGELA'S TIME-SAVING TIP: I usually prep my veggies the evening before so that I don't have to take the time to do this task in the morning. Simply store the peeled, cut carrots in a container or plastic baggie in the fridge. (Do the same for the onions and celery.) And, store the peeled and cut potatoes in the fridge - submerged in cold water in a large container. (Just drain off the water in the morning.) Also, the seasoning mix can be made the night before to save some time in the morning. And, for an extra boost of flavor and to save a little more time come morning, the beef can be seasoned the night before and stored in a large plastic baggie in the fridge.

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