Fireworks Roast (aka Beef Pot Roast)

I don't even know how, but some several years ago, when they were little, my older kids named this dish "fireworks roast."  They were just kidlets back then, and said it smelled like fireworks.  (Eeuuwww!!!)  That sounds terrible... and they laugh about it now, but say "well, that's what we thought... but it tastes great!"  I still don't know how to take that "compliment?" But since its one of their favorites, I'm not complaining.  I've even been told which of their friends consider this their favorite dish that I make.

The secret to this roast (which you sort of just dump everything into) is to cook it low and slow for a lonnnnnnng time.  All of the connective tissues in the meat just melt and the meat just starts to fall apart.  I know my mother thinks roast should be a "slice-able,"  but my kids like it where its so tender that you can't possibly cut it.  A fork is all you need! 

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Ingredients:

• 4 - 5 pound beef chuck roast
• Creole seasoning - to taste
• 2 Tbsp canola oil
• 3 - 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped into large pieces
• half of a large onion, cut into large chunks
• 3 - 4 large cloves of garlic, cut into a medium chop
• 3 - 4 small/medium red potatoes, cut in half
• 1/3 each of a red, yellow, and orange bell pepper, cut into large pieces
• 2 - 3 stalks of celery, cut into large pieces
• 1 packet of Lipton's Recipe Secrets - Onion Mushroom soup mix
• 1 can Golden Mushroom condensed soup
• 1 can Fire Roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 box beef broth

Method:

Season the roast fairly liberally with the Creole seasoning.  This seasoning already has a plethora of spices in it, so it saves steps.   I like using a chuck roast for this dish.  You can see how much marbling the meat has in it, right?  Well after hours of cooking, all of that just sort of melts away, and it becomes SO tender!  That said, you can't rush this.  It won't be the same.

In a heavy pot, get your oil really hot, and sear the roast.  Just put it in there and LEAVE IT ALONE until a nice brown color has developed. 

Keep turning it and browning EACH SIDE of the roast... including the edges.  Once all the edges are seared, turn off the heat.

Now, just add all the other stuff..... Leave all your veggies in large pieces, because we are going to cook them for a long time. 

3 -4 large carrots, cut into large chunks.

half of a large onion, cut into large chunks

3 - 4 large cloves of garlic, cut into a medium chop

• 3 - 4 small/medium red potatoes, cut in half

1/3 each of a red, yellow, and orange bell pepper, cut into large pieces

2 - 3 stalks of celery, cut into large pieces

1 packet of Lipton's Recipe Secrets - Onion Mushroom soup mix

1 can Golden Mushroom condensed soup

1 can Fire Roasted diced tomatoes

1 box beef broth

Note - I have read complaints in the past, about the particular brands of products that I choose for my dishes.  There are some people who only want to use all-organic, natural, specialty grocery products.  There are other folks who only have access to, or funds for, store brands.  Please just choose the brands that you are comfortable with.  There are certain products that I routinely choose as brand-specific; and other things where I find the store brands to be just as satisfying.  Part of the joy of cooking is making a recipe your own, and using things YOU are comfortable with.  The recipe is just there to guide you with a concept.  If you believe your dish will come out better by using one brand over another, then by all means, do it.  If you are growing tomatoes in your back yard and want to use them... do it.  If you find a can of tomatoes on sale for a great price, then choose that.  I'm sorry.  I'll get off of that little soap box now. 

Throw it in the oven, uncovered, at 350 degrees, set the timer for 4 hours, and walk away.  I usually turn the meat over after the first two hours.

After 4 hours, this is what you get.  Can you smell it from where you are?  When you walk into the house, it smells AMAZING!!! (Still not sure about the fireworks deal!) The veggies on top get a bit of roasted char on them that I LOVE,  the gravy we made has condensed down into this silky texture, and the meat is falling apart.

Don't expect to stick a meat fork in there and pull the roast out.  It will fall apart.  Here you can actually see fibers of meat separating.  Oh my gosh, it's so tender!!  And since we left all the veggies large, they are the perfect amount of doneness now.

So promise me you'll give this a shot.  Yes, it's sort of an old-fashioned recipe... but it's comfort food at its finest!  Now don't you want a bite of THAT?!! 

Have you enjoyed this recipe?  There are tons more to choose from on my Recipe Index!  Please go there and browse around and find some tasty things to cook with/for your family!  And don't forget to subscribe to the MenuMusings community on the home page.  I'm not quite ready to disclose them, but there are some exciting things coming up soon!

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Here are a few recipes to start you off with.  Since Father's Day will be here soon, these are some "dad friendly" choices...

• Caprese Stuffed Burgers

• Buffalo Chicken Dip

• Smoky Sweet Pulled Pork 

• Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

• Hoppin' John Fritters 

• Double Chocolate Pecan Pie 

Written Method:

Season the roast fairly liberally with the Creole seasoning.  In a heavy pot, get your oil really hot, and sear the roast.  Just put it in there and LEAVE IT ALONE until a nice brown color has developed.  Keep turning it and browning EACH SIDE of the roast... including the edges.  Once all the edges are seared, turn off the heat.

Now, just add all the other stuff..... Leave all your veggies in large pieces, because we are going to cook them for a long time.  Throw it in the oven, uncovered, at 350 degrees, set the timer for 4 hours, and walk away.  I usually turn the meat over after the first two hours.

After 4 hours, this is what you get.  The veggies on top get a bit of roasted char on them that I LOVE,  the gravy we made has condensed down into this silky texture, and the meat is falling apart.  Don't expect to stick a meat fork in there and pull the roast out.  It will fall apart.  Here you can actually see fibers of meat separating.  Oh my gosh, it's so tender!!  And since we left all the veggies large, they are the perfect amount of doneness now.  So promise me you'll give this a shot.  Yes, it's sort of an old-fashioned recipe... but it's comfort food at its finest!

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