Tender Braised Beef Chuck Roast

This is a tender beef in a rich and
flavorful gravy with vegetables.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 - 3 pound chuck roast

1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil

1 carrot, scrubbed and chopped

2 cups chopped celery (about 2 stalks)

1 cup chopped onion

4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

1/4 cup tomato paste

5 ounces white wine

3 tablespoons (1 ounce) onion soup mix

5 ounces beef broth

7 ounces canned stewed tomatoes**

2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 bunch cilantro, rinsed and tied with kitchen twine

cilantro leaves, optional garnish

Method:

Gently rinse the beef and pat dry with paper towels.

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the roast and brown on all sides. Remove the roast and set aside.

Saute the carrot, celery and onion, in the same Dutch oven, until lightly browned. Add the garlic. Cook and stir for a minute or two until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Mix in the tomato paste. Stir in the wine, soup mix, broth,tomatoes, sugar, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. (gentle occasional bubbles)

Add the roast and bundle of cilantro. Cover the pot and continue to simmer over low to medium-low heat for 2 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender, but not falling apart.

Remove the meat from the pot and set aside on a platter to rest for 15 minutes. Discard the cilantro bundle.

Bring the liquid and vegetables in the pot to a boil, stirring occasionally until reduce and thickened.

After the meat has finished resting, cut into large chunks. Return to the pot and if desired, garnish with cilanto leaves. Makes 4 servings.

**Stewed tomatoes can be purchased in a 14 ounce can. Use half of the can's tomatoes and liquid. Puree the remaining tomatoes and liquid. Save in the refrigerator or freezer to use in a recipe that calls for tomato sauce.

Notes: This tender and flavorful braised beef can be served with potatoes or rice and its nice enough to be served to company. To make more than 4 servings, simply choose a bigger roast, or as big as your pot can hold. 😃