30 August, 2011
Comments : 24 Posted in : Dinner on August 30, 2011 by : Chris Tags: bottom round roast, Dinner, dutch oven, pot roast
Hurricane Irene blew into NJ (and just about every state on the east coast) this weekend. Thankfully we got through it with no damage orsignificantflooding to our home or property, though we know we were fortunate and there are many who are without power or have flooded homes.Still, it was quite the storm to behold. Baby Boy loved watching the rain fall and the trees blowing about in the wind. He slept pleasantly through the worst of the storm, which hit us around midnight.
Rainy weather always puts me in the mood for a good stew or slow pot roast. Something that you just put in the oven and let cook all day, filling the house with the delicious aroma, brightening moods despite lousy weather. So before Hurricane Irene blew into town I made a point of picking up a pot roast to do just that, some good slow cooking.
I did my food shopping early Saturday morning. Once upon a time I wouldn’t dream of being awake, and at the grocery story, at 8am. I also never imagined I would have a baby, and that he would wake us up for the day at 5:30 am. But that’s ok. Baby boy just wanted to make sure I got to the store before the rush, so that I could make this delicious dinner for me and his Mommy.
After putting the pot roast in the oven, we took advantage of being cooped up inside. Rachel repainted the kitchen (a nice slate blue). It was our first time repainting since the original beige went on when we rebuilt the kitchen a few years ago (another DIY project with my awesome father in law). While Rachel painted, I spent quality Daddy time with Baby Boy.
By the time the pot roast was done I was drooling nearly as much as Baby Boy (we think he is beginning teething. I have no excuse). We enjoyed it with a chunk of fresh semolina bread, and I had a glass of red wine. Shortly thereafter Baby Boy went to bed for the night, and Rachel and I got to snuggle on the couch and enjoy a movie.
Although the hurricane was bad, it could have been a lot worse. And, looking at the positive side, it made us slow down. Too often, especially here in NJ, we are always on the go; so busy. It was nice to have a slow weekend to just relax inside, enjoy the company of our little family, and of course eat some slow cooked comfort food.
Do you have a favorite comfort/rainy day food? Please let us know in the comments below!
Recipe: Dutch Oven Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 1 (3 to 4-pound) boneless bottom round roast
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 yellow onions, peeled and quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 or 4 potatoes, cut into chunks
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Season the roast on all sides with salt and pepper.
- In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil and sear the roast on all sides. Add the onions, garlic and tomato paste and cook until slightly colored. Add the wine, stock, thyme and bay leaves. Bring the liquid to a simmer, cover, and place in the oven.
- Roast for 2 hours and then add the carrots and potatoes. Continue to cook for 2 more hour, or until roast is fork tender. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Slice and place on a serving platter. Skim the fat off the braising liquid and serve with the roast. Garnish with parsley.
Cooking time: minute(s)
What’s your favorite rainy day food?
24s COMMENTS
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Jessica
August 30, 2011 at 12:53 pm
This looks yummy!
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Chris
August 30, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Thanks Jessica! Perfect for a rainy/damp day 🙂
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August 30, 2011 at 4:46 pm
See AlsoSweet Potato Salad - Plain ChickenTransportation theme party ideas.Old School Cheesy Squash Casserole - Plain ChickenCake Mix Dinner RollsI’m so looking forward to fall so I can make things like this! *Bookmarked!*
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Chris
August 30, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Thanks DessertForTwo 🙂 I’ll miss summer, but these types of dishes are one of the things I love about Fall 🙂
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August 30, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Making anything in a dutch oven makes me ready for cold weather. Yum! Bet your house smelled good after this was done cooking!
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Chris
August 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Lauren, it smelled fantastic! I was almost drooling as much as Baby Boy!
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August 30, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I’m glad you and your family are ok 🙂 lovely photos and recipe. For rainy days I NEED wine. Always wine 🙂
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Chris
August 30, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Thanks Yuri 🙂 Rainy days I’ll take either wine or chocolate (or both if its really rainy!)
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August 31, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Looks super duper good…especially those carrots sticking out by the roast. I love roasted carrots…mmmmm.
Btw, loved the family picture link you reffered to me! Beautiful!
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Chris
August 31, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Honestly, I could just sit down to a bowl of stewed potatoes and carots with some nice crusty sour dough. Course I won’t turn down the meat either 🙂
I meant to reply to your earlier message, thank you so much for the compliment on our family picture! 🙂
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September 1, 2011 at 12:30 pm
I’ve actually never made pot roast but this looks like the perfect comfort food meal!
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Chris
September 1, 2011 at 1:19 pm
I especially love how simple it is. Just toss it in the pot and forget about it (basically) 🙂
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September 3, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Thanks for sharing the recipe, it sounds perfect for the the colder months! You are right that there was a positive side to last weekend – it really did make us all slow down and relax and appreciate things a little more 🙂
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Jackie
September 3, 2011 at 8:04 pm
The photos look delicious. I will have to try this recipe when we have our next rainy day. It does sound good. I love making stews and soups on cold rainy days. My favorite is vegetable beef soup.
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September 9, 2011 at 10:51 pm
This smells Fall. I love to make any one dish meals at this time of the year. Looks delish!
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Chris
September 12, 2011 at 1:25 pm
We especially love how simple one dish meals are. Just toss it all in the pot, forget about it until dinner, then eat! Easy clean up too 🙂
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Amanda
September 19, 2011 at 10:48 pm
This looks delicious! One of my fav rainy day foods is roast in the Dutch oven, too! We make ours completely differently, so this will be a nice change. Will try it soon!
Amanda
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christina Collins
November 29, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Looks very yummy. I love potroast. Especially in a dutch oven. I’ve done many many potroasts in crockpot, oven, but dutch oven is by far the best. The flavors are more intensified, and the beef is very moist. Just a add on, I can’t use wine, so I use a portabello mushroom soup instead, and it is fantastic. Thanks for these wonderful pictures!
ChristinaLog in to Reply
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Chris
November 29, 2012 at 1:57 pm
The mushroom soup sounds like a flavorful alternative! We are also big fans of the dutch oven in this house 🙂
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Heidi
December 18, 2016 at 4:07 pm
This is the best recipe!! I’ve made it a few times and have it in the oven now. Great!!!!
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Chris
December 18, 2016 at 4:17 pm
=D
Enjoy!Log in to Reply
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Annette
August 25, 2017 at 8:00 am
It was great, but I had to substitute broth with 2 cups of water and a tps of gravy master. I cook 2 hrs with veggies. Then to speed up time, I pressure cook it …me so tender.
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