Italian Beef Fantastico Recipes

ITALIAN BEEF

Steps:

• For the dry rub: Mix together the basil, oregano, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
• For the meat: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the beef stock and 1 quart water to a roasting pan. Place the beef roast on a perforated pan and set into the roasting pan. Coat the entire roast with the dry rub. Cover tightly with foil and place in the oven. Cook until the center of the roast reaches 140 degrees F, about 30 minutes per pound.
• Refrigerate the roast for at least 2 hours (the beef must be cold to slice properly). Slice as thinly as possible.
• For the gravy: While the beef is cooking, combine the beef base, black pepper, garlic, celery, bay leaves, onions and 1 gallon cold water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for at least 1 hour. (The longer the gravy simmers, the stronger it gets.) Strain and keep hot.
• To serve, drop a portion of sliced beef into the hot gravy; heat until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the beef on a hoagie roll, add some giardiniera and enjoy.

ITALIAN BEEF -- FANTASTICO

Steps:

• 1. Prepare a day or two in advance. Season and rub the roast with the dry Italian Salad Dressing mix.
• 2. Place Roast in Crock Pot along with the three cans of Beef Broth to almost cover. You could substitute one can of beer for a can of broth. Top Round and Eye of Round are more tender and will take slightly less cooking time.
• 3. Add the small jar of whole Pepperoncini and 1/2 the jar of juice, along with the Garlic and additional dry Italian Seasoning. Six to eight peppers and 1/2 to 2/3 cup of the juice.
• 4. Crock Pot for 4 to 6 hours on high, or all day if you have a Crock Pot that automatically adjusts.
• 5. When Beef is cooked I remove from juice and refrigerate Roast (to firm up for slicing) and juices overnight. I prefer it sliced but if cooked longer you could shred.
• 6. Next morning remove Roast and slice thin. Return to juices, and refrigerate or place Roast and juices back into Crock Pot to warm and serve. I use meat slicer but can almost do as well with a knife.
• 7. To show to the extent, I am opinionated -- The only way to serve Italian Beef Sandwiches is on a good, firm full bodied rectangular bread or roll. "Earth Grains" makes my favorite in their "San Francisco Style French Rolls", 6 to a package. Baguettes sliced to 5" length, are a reasonable substitute. A Hamburger Bun or Kaiser Roll will not do it for me.
• 8. My favorite accompaniments are "Giardiniera" an Italian condiment of Celery, Onions and Peppers that comes in mild, medium or hot variety. Giardiniera and chopped raw onion make the sandwich for me, along with a small bowl of the juice for dipping. My Better Friends get to take some home. Ciao!

ITALIAN BEEF

Steps:

• Cut roast in half; place in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Combine the water and seasonings; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours or until meat is very tender. Discard bay leaf. Remove meat and shred with a fork. Skim fat from cooking juices; return meat to slow cooker. Serve on rolls.

ORIGINAL HOMEMADE ITALIAN BEEF

Steps:

• Place the roast into a slow cooker, and season with Italian dressing mix. Pour in the water. Cover, and cook on High for 6 to 7 hours. During the last hour, shred the meat with two forks - if it does not shred easily, cook longer. Add the peppers, and as much of the juice as you like for additional flavor. Serve on buns.