Sunday, April 10, 2016

Italian Beef Sandwich with Au Jus

What is your canned tomato of choice? Mine is  Tuttorosso. It was the brand my Mom used. So that is why I use it. This recipe is from the Tuttorosso web site. It was perfect for today. I had some computer stuff to take care of so the slow cooker was the perfect cooking tool.
Saying this was a good dinner would be an understatement. It was amazing. I cut the recipe in half and have enough for tomorrow night and some to put in the freezer.
 
Here is the recipe and please make sure you follow Tuttorosso on Facebook to find even more recipes.

Ingredients-
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 to 5 pounds boneless chuck roast
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 green bell peppers, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup roasted red bell peppers, cut into strips
1 jar banana peppers, cut into strips
1 cup beef stock
2 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can Tuttorosso® Crushed Tomatoes with basil
1 (28 ounce) can Tuttorosso® Peeled Plum Italian Style Tomatoes, drained and cut into half horizontally and then sliced vertically
8 hoagie rolls
8 slices provolone cheese

Method-
In a large skillet heat the oil over medium high heat.  Sprinkle the chuck roast with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning.  Brown the roast on all side and transfer to the slow cooker.

Top with green bell peppers, yellow bell pepper, onion, garlic, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, beef broth, beef bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes and tomatoes.  Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.  About 30 minutes before the meat is done cooking, transfer the roast to a cutting board and shred with a couple of forks.  Return meat to slow cooker and cook an additional 30 minutes.

Spoon the shredded meat, peppers and onions on the bottom half of the roll.  Spoon some of the sauce over the meat.  Top with a slice of cheese and the top half of the roll.

Option: Leave sandwich open-face and top with cheese.  Place under broiler to melt the cheese.

Serve with Au Jus sauce for dipping.


 
Tonight's side dish was Oven Baked Parmesan French Fries. Yes, you read that right! From Michael Chiarello on the Food Network site. There was not a crumb left on the dish.

Ingredients-
5 russet potatoes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Method-
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel potatoes and cut into half-inch thick slices (lengthwise) cut again into 1/2-inch thick fries. Place the potatoes into a pot with cold water and 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring up to a gentle boil and simmer until a paring knife tip goes through easily. Cooked about 3/4 of the way through.

Drain carefully and put in a bowl. Add olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss well and lay out in 1 layer on nonstick baking sheet. Bake until light brown.

When brown, sprinkle with Parmesan and continue to bake until well-browned and crispy and the cheese is melted and caramelized, about 6 to 7 more minutes. Remove and let cool for 2 minutes. Serve.

And even though I had things I had to do today I did find time to make some Focaccia bread!
Focaccia recipe by Anne Burrell

Ingredients-
1 3/4 cups warm water, 105 to 115 degrees
1 package active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
5 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Method-
Combine the warm water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Put the bowl in a warm, not hot or cool, place until the yeast is bubbling and aromatic, at least 15 minutes.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 1/2 cup olive oil and the yeast mixture on low speed. Once the dough has come together, continue to knead for 5 to 6 minutes on a medium speed until it becomes smooth and soft. Give it a sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.

Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface, then knead it by hand 1 or 2 times. Again, give it another sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.

Coat the inside of the mixer bowl lightly with olive oil and return the dough to the bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least 1 hour.

Coat a jelly roll pan with the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. (Chef's Note: This may seem excessive, but focaccia is an oily crusted bread. This is why it is soooooooooo delicious!).

Put the dough onto the jelly roll pan and begin pressing it out to fit the size of the pan. Turn the dough over to coat the other side with the olive oil. Continue to stretch the dough to fit the pan. As you are doing so, spread your fingers out and make finger holes all the way through the dough. (Chef's Note: Yes, this is strange. But when the dough rises again it will create the characteristic craggy looking focaccia. If you do not make the actual holes in the dough, the finished product will be very smooth.)

Put the dough in the warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour. While the dough is rising a second time, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Liberally sprinkle the top of the focaccia with some coarse sea salt and lightly drizzle a little oil on top. Bake the dough until the top of the loaf is golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool before cutting and serving.

1 comment:

Mr. Bill said...

That looks so good..thanks for sharing!!