Asian Pot Roast

Pot roast. Everyone knows how to make it or know someone who does.  It's kind of a staple "meat and potatoes" dish for most families. You know me well now by reading these posts, well enough to know I won't make your standard pot roast and I'll make it nice and easy.

That's right - make sure your crock pot is clean and you are prepared to smell your dinner for a few hours as it slow cooks.  Why fire up that oven when the weather is nicer? You'll thank me for these crock pot recipes when its 90 degrees this summer and the thought of a hot oven in a hot house just makes you crazy.

Asian Pot Roast

Ingredients:
10 oz. white mushrooms, sliced           1/2 c. chicken broth              1/4 c. soy sauce
2 tbsp. chopped fresh ginger                6 cloves garlic, halved          2 lb. eye of round roast
2 tbsp. canola oil                                  2 tbsp. cornstarch                 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
scallions, thinly sliced, optional

Directions:

1. Combine mushrooms, broth, soy sauce, ginger and garlic in crock pot.
2. Pat roast dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Warm oil in a skillet on medium high heat.
4. Brown beef on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
5. Transfer to crock pot and turn to coat with soy sauce mixture.
6. Cover and cook on low until tender 6 to 8 hours.
7. Transfer roast to cutting board and tent with foil.
8. Let rest for 15 minutes. 
9. Whisk cornstarch and 1/2 c. of the liquid from the crock pot together.
10. Add the liquid back to the crock pot, whisking until sauce thickens (1-2 min).
11. Whisk in vinegar. 
12. If sauce is too thick, you can whisk in 1 or 2 additional tbsp. of chicken broth.
13. Slice your meat and serve with the sauce.
14. Top with scallions if you like.

So, there you have it. Since it's an Asian recipe, my first thought was pairing it with rice, but you don't have to.  You could do it as a stand alone or with your favorite veggie. Any time I have something with a sauce or a gravy, I do rolls because I love sopping up the liquid with a hot fresh roll.  Or you could even just pair it with a salad. 

As always, have fun!