beef

Bready or Not: Classic Pot Roast

Posted by on Sep 25, 2024 in beef, Blog, Bready or Not, gluten-free, main dish | 0 comments

Classic Pot Roast. Why haven’t I featured this on Bready or Not before? Because Arizona is not conducive to prolonged use of the oven outside of the two months of ‘winter.’

Bready or Not: Classic Pot Roast

But I’m in the Midwest now. That means I can whip up a proper pot roast (quite likely on a Sunday), and might just use local ingredients, too.

Bready or Not: Classic Pot Roast

Fun fact: I hate celery, but I like celery flakes. That’s why you see me use celery flakes in recipes like this. You can absolutely use a couple stalks of celery instead.

Bready or Not: Classic Pot Roast

If you have a large can of tomato paste, portion out standard amounts that are used in recipes (like tablespoon dollops), freeze them on wax paper, then store them in a quart freezer bag to toss into recipes. If you forget to thaw them before cooking, no biggie, just add it in frozen and give it a touch extra time to break down.

Bready or Not: Classic Pot Roast

This is a classic stove-to-oven pot roast with beef, potatoes, and all the fixings. It takes about 3 hours total. Leftovers, of course, are wonderful heated up in a smaller pot over the next day or two. Modified from Taste of Home February-March 2015.
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • large oven-safe Dutch oven or pot with lid

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pound chuck roast tied
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt plus another 1/2 teaspoon
  • 2 Tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 medium onions cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 Tablespoons celery flakes
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup dry red wine or reduced-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can reduced-sodium beef broth
  • 1 1/2 pound small red potatoes cleaned and quartered
  • 1 1/2 cups baby carrots
  • 1/2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • dried parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Dry roast and sprinkle with the pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt on both sides.
  • In a large pot on the stove, heat the oil. Add the roast and brown on all sides. Set meat aside.
  • Add onions, garlic, and remaining salt to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, 8-10 minutes, until browned. Add celery flakes, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaves, stirring in for about a minute.
  • Add wine (or extra broth) and stir to loosen browned bits from pan. Add the can of broth. Return roast to the pan. Arrange vegetables around the roast while bringing the pot to a boil. Once that mark is reached, turn off burner and carefully transfer pot to oven. Cover and bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until meat is fork-tender.
  • Pull pot from oven. Carefully remove meat and vegetables to a platter. Discard bay leaves and skim any fat from the top of the liquids. Bring pot to a boil again, cooking for 10-12 minutes, until liquid is reduced by half. (While this is going on, prepare meat by removing string and slicing or cutting into chunks.) Add vinegar and parsley to the pot. Add more salt and vinegar to taste.
  • Serve meat, potatoes, and veggies with sauce. Any leftovers are great reheated on the stove over the next day or so.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Easy Italian Meatballs

    Posted by on Sep 8, 2021 in beef, Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, main dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Easy Italian Meatballs

    Everyone probably has their own take on classic Italian Meatballs. This is mine!

    What I love about the recipe is that it, 1) tastes good, and 2) is convenient. I can mix the meatballs up ahead of time and stash them in the fridge or even the freezer. They can be cooked straight from the freezer, too! Just cook them a little longer.

    Bready or Not Original: Easy Italian Meatballs

    I always go with 93% lean ground beef, but use whatever kind you want–even do a meat of beef and pork or ground sausage. Consider this recipe a template. Mix it up, switch out or increase seasonings, whatever.

    Bready or Not Original: Easy Italian Meatballs

    These are great with all kinds of dishes, too. Use them with the standard spaghetti or other Italian pasts, or on zoodles, or with sauce on some submarine sandwich bread. They are even good heated up, eaten by themselves!

    Bready or Not Original: Easy Italian Meatballs

    These gigantic meatballs are easy to make. If you want, form them early in the day and stash them in the fridge. Meatballs can also be frozen, cooked or cooked, and heated up later–and they can be taken straight from the freezer, too; just add a few more minutes to the cook time. This is also a great recipe to double to feed a crowd.
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Keyword: beef, cheese
    Servings: 8 meatballs
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • food scale
    • 9×13 dish or large rimmed baking pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus extra for pan and hands
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 1/2 cups panko
    • 1/2 cup milk or water
    • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 ounce Parmesan or Grana Padano, freshly grated, roughly 1/2 cup
    • 1 pound ground beef

    Instructions

    • Move rack to top third of oven and start to preheat at 425-degrees. Rub or brush a 9×13 casserole pan or rimmed baking sheet with oil.
    • In a large bowl, use a big spoon to mash together the 2 Tablespoons oil, eggs, panko, liquid, salt, pepper, seasoning, garlic powder, and cheese. The goal is to create a smooth paste. Add a handful of meat. Mix in, and gradually drop in the rest of the meat to thoroughly combine.
    • Use a food scale to weigh the meat, then divide that total by 8 (or any other desired increment). With oiled hands, press together meatballs, weighing each to create ones of equal size.
    • Bake meatballs for 20 minutes. Use a metal spatula to carefully flip over each for the browned-bottom is on top. Bake for another 6 to 10 minutes, until meatballs are fully browned. An instant read thermometer plunged into one should read over 160-degrees.
    • Serve as desired. Leftovers are great to refrigerate or freeze.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: 5 Minute Artisan Pizza Dough and Cast Iron Pan Pizzas

      Posted by on Feb 24, 2021 in beef, Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, main dish, pork, yeast bread | Comments Off on Bready or Not: 5 Minute Artisan Pizza Dough and Cast Iron Pan Pizzas

      Today’s Bready or Not is a 2-for-1 deal: a recipe for fast and easy pizza dough, followed by the process I use for  divvying up that dough to make small but thick cast iron pan pizzas.

      Bready or Not: 5 Minute Artisan Pizza Dough and Cast Iron Pan Pizzas

      The basic dough recipe is modified from the great book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. [Affiliate link] Yes, this dough really comes together in 5 minutes. It also keeps for up to 2 weeks AND can be frozen.

      Bready or Not: 5 Minute Artisan Pizza Dough and Cast Iron Pan Pizzas

      The method for making mini pizzas in a skillet is one I practiced a few times several years ago, then made a LOT during 2020 as my husband was working from home more often. I perfected it to the point where I had to write it down–and share here.

      Bready or Not: 5 Minute Artisan Pizza Dough and Cast Iron Pan Pizzas

      The pan pizza recipe is pretty much an outline to show the timing on the shaping, rise, and crust-cooking, but the ingredients are all up to you!

      Bready or Not: 5 Minute Artisan Pizza Dough and Cast Iron Pan Pizzas

      Bready or Not: 5 Minute Artisan Pizza Dough

      This makes enough pizza dough for a large pizza or 3 10-inch ‘pan’ style pizza. The dough is ready to use after only a few hours, and will keep in the fridge for as long as two weeks. Modified from the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoe Francois.
      Course: Main Course
      Cuisine: American, Italian
      Keyword: pizza, yeast bread
      Author: Beth Cato

      Ingredients

      • 1 1/3 cups warm water
      • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
      • 1/2 Tablespoon white sugar
      • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
      • 3/4 Tablespoon kosher salt
      • 2 teaspoons pizza seasoning or Italian seasoning, optional
      • 2 1/4 teaspoons active yeast or one packet store-bought active yeast

      Instructions

      • Place the water, olive oil, and sugar in a big mixing bowl, stand mixer, or food processor. Add the flour, salt, and seasoning, if using. Start mixing together, then sprinkle in the yeast. Mix until just combined.
      • Keep in same bowl, if desired, or transfer to another bowl that is greased. Loosely cover top with plastic wrap or towel and let dough rise at room temperature until it flattens out on top, about two hours.
      • Dough can be used now but is much easier to handle when cold. Refrigerate in a non-airtight container and use within two weeks. Dough can also be frozen in freezer bags, for up to a month, and defrosted later in the fridge.

      OM NOM NOM!

        Bready or Not Original: Cast Iron Pan Pizzas

        About a 2-pound batch of dough, such as the 5 Minute Artisan Dough recipe on Bready or Not, will make three hearty personal pan pizzas in a 10-inch cast iron pan. This process takes about 45 minutes. The remaining dough can keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
        Course: Main Course
        Cuisine: American, Italian
        Keyword: beef, cheese, pizza, pork, yeast bread
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • 10-inch cast iron skillet

        Ingredients

        • handful pizza dough
        • olive oil
        • desired toppings and seasonings

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 450-degrees. Add about a tablespoon of olive oil to a cast iron skillet and place the pan in the oven to heat up.
        • Grab a good handful of pizza dough, or as much as desired to bake today. Oil a small space of counter or table as well as hands, and gently stretch and press out the dough to a rough circle. If it tears, patch with other pieces of dough as best possible. Let dough rest for about 20 minutes.
        • By this time, the oven should have preheated. Use a potholder to pull out the skillet. Carefully swirl the hot oil in the pan to coat the bottom and set pan down on a safe surface. Carefully, again, place the dough in the pan.
        • Bake crust for 6 to 10 minutes, until it is set. Pull out of oven and add desired toppings.
        • Put pizza in oven for another 6 to 10 minutes, until crust is golden and toppings are cooked to desired level. Let pizza cool for about 10 minutes, then slide onto a plate or other surface to slice and eat.
        • OM NOM NOM!
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        Bready or Not Classic: Slow Cooker Korean-Style Short Ribs

        Posted by on Jun 19, 2019 in beef, Blog, Bready or Not, crock pot, gluten-free, healthier, main dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not Classic: Slow Cooker Korean-Style Short Ribs

        If all has gone according to plan, I’ve fled to a far-distant isle to enjoy Wensleydale cheese and scones. I didn’t want to schedule new recipes while I travel as I won’t be able to promote them to the fullest. Therefore, I’m revisiting a classic recipe this week. Enjoy!

        I’m presenting to you the recipe for one of the best dishes I’ve ever made in a crock pot: Korean-Style Short Ribs.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Korean-Style Short Ribs

        I have made this many times over now. I’ve even tried it using cheaper cuts like chuck roast and rump roast. Those worked out okay (though the meat really dries out before its soak in the juice at the end), but they are nowhere as delicious as the short rib version.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Korean-Style Short Ribs

        It turns out amazing whether you use boneless or bone-in ribs–a mix is a great way to go, too! Don’t trim the fat. You want all that flavor. The end result is a sauce that tastes like you added red wine, but you didn’t. It’s like MAGIC.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Korean-Style Short Ribs

        Seriously, these ribs taste like something from a great Asian restaurant. Pair it with some broccoli and a good spoonful of the sauce, and YUM.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Korean-Style Short Ribs

        Whenever I see beef short ribs go on sale, I do a little dance of joy because it means I get to make this recipe again.

         

        Bready or Not Classic: Slow Cooker Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs

        This recipe makes rich, savory short ribs that taste like a dish from a great restaurant! A 5 or 6-quart crock pot is necessary to fit the ribs. Note: A chuck roast or rump roast can be substituted for the ribs and it tastes okay, but the fatty ribs create a much deeper and richer flavor.
        Course: Main Course
        Cuisine: Korean
        Keyword: beef, slow cooker
        Author: Beth Cato

        Ingredients

        • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
        • 1/3 cup light brown sugar packed
        • 2 Tb sesame oil
        • 2 Tb rice vinegar
        • 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
        • 4 cloves garlic minced
        • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
        • 5 lbs beef short ribs bone-in adds more flavor, but boneless works
        • 1-2 Tb cornstarch
        • sesame seeds optional

        Instructions

        • In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, vinegar, ginger, garlic and red pepper. Place the ribs in a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker; pour the sauce over them. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 9 hours. Depending on how the ribs are stacked in the cooker, you may want to quickly stir them at some point halfway through.
        • Use a slotted spoon to remove the ribs from the cooker. Place a tablespoon of corn starch in a small bowl and add some juice from the cooker. Whisk them together to create a slurry without lumps, and add back into the crock pot. Stir. If the juice doesn't start to thicken, repeat the process with some more corn starch.
        • Either keep the ribs intact, or pull meat into chunks and discard the bones and fat. Place meat in cooker again on WARM setting for 10 minutes or so to soak in flavors. Serve. Great with rice, broccoli, and perhaps a sprinkling of sesame seeds!
        • OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        Posted by on May 15, 2019 in beef, Blog, Bready or Not, crock pot, main dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        Make a big ol’ pot of meat with this recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Chili!

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        My husband loves a good, spicy chili. He does not like beans. This recipe is his favorite.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        I find it simple to put together, too. The only fussy thing is taking the time to brown the meat, but I can typically do that in two batches.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        There are several heat levels of Rotel-like canned tomatoes and chilies out there. There are also tomato sauce cans and boxes with added spice. In our case, I add a hefty sprinkle of a local Hatch New Mexican seasoning mix.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        These make for great leftovers, too, and you can even throw some in a freezer bag to heat up later on!

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        Modified from The Everything Soup, Stew, & Chili Cookbook edited by Belinda Hulin.

        Bready or Not: Slow Cooker Beef Chili

        This all beef, no bean chili recipe makes a big pot of delicious chili! Make it as spicy as you want by using different types of Rotel and additional spices and sauces. Modified from The Everything Soup, Stew, & Chili Cookbook edited by Belinda Hulin.
        Course: Main Course
        Keyword: beef, slow cooker, soup and stew
        Author: Beth Cato

        Ingredients

        • 2 - 2 1/2 pounds beef stew meat or chuck roast, chopped into 1-inch cubes
        • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
        • 1 whole onion diced
        • 1 green bell pepper cored and diced
        • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
        • 4 Tablespoons chili powder hot or otherwise
        • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
        • 1 teaspoon salt
        • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
        • 10 ounce can tomatoes and green chilies like Rotel
        • 14-15 ounces tomato sauce canned or boxed
        • additional spices or sauces to preference

        Instructions

        • In a skillet or wok, brown beef in vegetable oil over high heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer beef to the crock pot. Add onion to pan and cook for just a few minutes to soak up the drippings. Add onion to the slow cooker, followed by the green bell pepper.
        • In a small bowl, combine the flour, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Sprinkle over the meat. Pour the cans of chili and tomatoes and the tomato sauce over the meat. Stir with a large spoon.
        • Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Turn heat to low, and break the meat into smaller pieces. It should flake apart under little pressure. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
        • Eat and enjoy. Keep leftovers in fridge up to 3 more days, or freeze for later enjoyment.
        • OM NOM NOM

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        Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        Posted by on Aug 1, 2018 in beef, Blog, Bready or Not, gluten-free, healthier, main dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        Beef jerky is expensive to buy. If you can catch a good sale on an eye of round roast, this recipe makes cheap and delicious Homemade Beef Jerky.

        Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        It’s really amazing how easy this recipe is. Cut up roast into chunks. Cover pieces in spices. Marinate for a day in the fridge. Bake for 6 to 7 hours. Done.

        I’ve made this recipe a couple times now, and honestly, the weirdest thing is keeping the meat at room temperature after baking.

        Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        I mean, I’m used to doing that with store-bought jerky, but it feels weird to do that with home-cooked meat. However, I haven’t sickened or killed myself or various loved one with my homemade jerky, so I take that as a positive.

        Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        Most of the eye of round roasts I find on sale tend to be over 2 1/2 pounds. I just use more generous measures of spices for the rub. This isn’t a recipe where everything needs to be exact. Just make sure there’s enough rub to cover everything.

        Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        Also, the amount of cayenne looks like a lot, but the heat in this recipe is pleasant, not set-your-mouth-on-fire level. I can testify that myself and others who can’t stand spicy-hot have eaten this jerky without any issues.

        And if you want more heat, by all means. Dump in more cayenne!

        Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        Modified from Michael Symon’s Beef Jerky recipe in Food Network Magazine, December 2017.

        Bready or Not: Homemade Beef Jerky

        If using a larger roast, such as one closer to 3 pounds, just use heaping amounts of spices to create the rub. Note that the recipe requires a day of marinating prior to baking. After cooking, the dried meat is stored at room temperature.
        Course: Appetizer, Snack
        Keyword: beef
        Author: Beth Cato

        Ingredients

        • 2 - 2 1/2 pounds eye of round roast trimmed of fat
        • 1 1/2 Tablespoons kosher salt
        • 2 teaspoons white sugar
        • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
        • 1 teaspoon onion powder
        • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
        • 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
        • 1/2 teaspoon coriander
        • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

        Instructions

        • Slice the beef against the grain into chunks roughly 1 inch by 3 inches long. If the pieces look large, that's fine; they'll shrink a lot as they cook.
        • In a mixing bowl, combine all of the spices. Liberally cover the beef pieces, using the entire mix. Place beef in a gallon bag, and keep sealed in the fridge for 24 hours or so.
        • Preheat oven at 250-degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a metal rack on top; apply nonstick spray. Set the meat on the rack so that no pieces are touching.
        • Bake for 6 to 7 hours, until quite dry. If you want pieces chewier, remove closer to 6 hour point.
        • Let cool completely to finish drying. Store in sealed container at room temperature for up to several months.
        • OM NOM NOM!

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