Cappuccino Pot Roast

Kimberly Cheatham

I am sure by now some of you are tired of eating turkey. Also some of you may be wondering what would be comforting to eat while we endure our first snowstorm of the year. I stumbled across this recipe that I thought you might enjoy. Thanks to Sandra Lee for this recipe courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens. It’s a Cappuccino Pot Roast, different but oh so tasty. I do not eat beef, so I substituted seitan and the results were delicious.

Prep: 30 min. Cook: 9hrs. Stand: 10min.

3-lb beef chuck roast
1 lb. small carrots, cut in 2-inch pieces
8oz boiling onions, peeled and halved, or 1 large onion cut in thin wedges
4 cloves of garlic, halved
2 jalapeno peppers**, seeded and sliced
1 cup of STRONG brewed coffee
1.5 oz. envelope of beef stew seasoning mix
2 Tbs. of balsamic vinegar
2 cubes chipotle bouillon cubes, crumbled; or 2 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled with 1/2 tsp. ground chipotle chile
1 bay leaf
8-oz. container of sour cream
1 recipe of Gremolata*

1. Trim the fat from the roast; sprinkle 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/4 tsp. of pepper on the meat. Set aside.
2. In a 6-quart slow cooker combine carrots, onions, garlic and jalapeno peppers. Place roast on top of vegetables.
3. In a medium bowl combine coffee, seasoning mix, balsamic vinegar, bouillon and bay leaf. Pour over roast in cooker.
4. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 9 to 10 hours.
5. Transfer roast to a cutting board; cover and let rest 10 and let rest 10 min. With a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to serving dishes (remove and discard bay leaf); cut up meat and add to bowls. Using a wire mesh strainer, strain sauce, reserving 2 cups. Place sour cream in a medium bowl, whisk in the 2 cups of sauce. Spoon some of the sauce on beef; pass remaining. Sprinkle with Gremolata.

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

* Gremolata
In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon of finely shredded lemon peel, 1/4 cup snipped flat-leaf parsley, and 1 clove of finely chopped garlic.

**Because hot chile peppers can burn skin and eyes, wear plastic or rubber gloves when handling them. If using bare hands, wash well with soap and water immediately after.