YANKEE POT ROAST WITH VEGETABLES (for six)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

one 3-1/2 to 4 pound boneless chuck roast, rolled and tied

2 onions, chopped fine

4 garlic cloves, chopped fine

¾ cup canned crushed tomatoes

¼ cup red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar

1 bay leaf

1 pound carrots, cut diagonally into 1 inch slices

1-1/2 pounds small red potatoes, peeled and kept in a bowl of cold water, if desired

1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 1-1/2 tablespoons cold water

minced fresh parsley leaves for garnish

1.Preheat oven to 350*.

2. In a large heavy flameproof casserole heat the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it brown the beef, patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper, on all sides. Transfer the beef to a plate, add the onions and garlic to the casserole, and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, until the onions are golden. Stir in the tomatoes, the vinegar, the sugar, the bay leaf and 2-1/2 cups water, bring the mixture to a boil, and add the beef.

3. Braise the beef, covered, in the oven for 1 hour, add the carrots and braise the mixture, covered, for 30 minutes. Add the potatoes, drained if necessary, and braise the mixture, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the beef and the vegetables are tender. (The pot roast may be prepared up t o this point 2 days ahead, cooled, uncovered, and chilled, covered. Discard any solidified fat before reheating the pot roast.)

4. Transfer the beef with slotted spoons to a cutting board and let it stand for 10 minutes. Skim the fat from the top of the cooking mixture and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir the cornstarch mixture and add enough of it to the boiling cooking mixture, stirring, to thicken the gravy to the desired consistency. Simmer the gravy mixture, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes, season it with salt and pepper and discard the bay leaf.

5. Slice the beef, arrange it on a heated platter, and transfer the vegetables with a slotted spoon to the platter. Spoon some of the gravy over the beef and serve the remaining gravy on the side. Garnish the beef with the parsley.

NOTE: If you  have leftovers, see country hash for a good way to use them.

from Gourmet’s America