Set It And Forget It Pot Roast Recipes

SET-IT-AND-FORGET-IT ROAST PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• Finely grind peppercorns, juniper berries, and coriander seeds in spice mill or with mortar and pestle; transfer to a small bowl and mix in salt and sugar.
• Set blade on a box cutter to about 1/3" (or use a very sharp paring knife or X-Acto knife) and cut long parallel lines into the skin of pork shoulder, spacing about 3/4" apart. You want to cut completely through the fat, getting as close to the meat as possible without slicing into it. Then, using a pair of kitchen shears, snip between rows to create a diamond-shape pattern, spacing about 3/4" apart. Cutting a crosshatch design into the fat will help it cook out and allow the salt and spices to penetrate the meat.
• Rub entire shoulder with spice mixture, covering any exposed meat and pushing into cuts in fat. Try to get the spices into the fatty layer and not on the surface of the skin, where they may burn as the shoulder roasts. Make sure to use all of the spices, even though it may seem like a lot. Wrap shoulder tightly with plastic and chill at least 3 hours and up to 3 days.
• Place a rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 225°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil (be generous with the foil unless you really enjoy scrubbing pots and pans after Thanksgiving dinner). Place rosemary sprigs and garlic in the center of baking sheet and set a wire rack on top. Set pork shoulder on rack and transfer to oven. Pour wine and 2 cups water into baking sheet and roast shoulder until meat is pulling away from the bone and skin is very dark, 9-10 hours (overnight is great).
• Let pork shoulder sit uncovered at room temperature until ready to serve (at least 30 minutes and up to 5 hours).
• Just before serving, reheat roast in a 350°F-400°F oven to soften fat and warm the surface of the roast (but don't let it take on any more color), 5-10 minutes.
• Serve warm with cranberry sauce, cornichons, and mustard.

FORGET-ABOUT-IT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
• Use a dutch oven big enough to hold all the ingredients. The one I use is a five-quart stainless steel with domed lid for oven roasting. Place it on one of the large burners on top of the stove, add the olive oil and turn to med-high.
• Add minced garlic and stir until the oil is hot.
• Add the roast and braise on all sides until browned. While the roast is browning be working on the next steps.
• Peel and chop one of the onions finely.
• Peel the other onion and cut into eighths.
• When the roast has been browned on all sides, sprinkle salt and pepper all over it.
• Add the CHOPPED onion. Stir around for about a minute.
• Add the can of cream of mushroom soup. Mix together well with the garlic, onion and pan drippings and spread it all over the roast, piling as much on top as possible.
• Add the carrots to the pot, sprinkle salt & pepper over them.
• Arrange the eight chunks of remaining onion on top of the carrots.
• Add the potatoes to the pot, again sprinkle salt and pepper.
• Put the lid on and place in the preheated oven.
• Cook for 6 hours or longer for a 2 lb roast and 10 hours for a 4 lb roast.
• It basically makes its own gravy. When done, remove the meat, carrots and potatoes and place them in their own serving dishes. If you like you may now put the pan back on top of the stove and thicken the drippings with flour.
• Eat!

SET-IT-AND-FORGET-IT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300ºF.
• With the tip of a paring knife, make ten 3/4-inch-deep slits on each side of the roast. Insert a garlic clove half into each slit. Season the meat all over with the salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Gently set the roast in it and sear all over, turning with tongs, until well browned, about 14 minutes. Remove the meat from the pan to a plate.
• Add the carrots, onions and bay leaves to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring up the crispy bits at the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Return the roast to the pot, laying it on top of the vegetables. Add enough chicken stock to cover the roast by three-quarters. Cover and roast for 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Flip the meat over and add the potatoes. Cover and continue cooking until the potatoes are tender but not mushy and the meat is fall-apart tender, 45 minutes more, depending on the thickness of the roast.
• Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter. Season the meat with additional salt. Pour the sauce into a gravy boat and pass with the meat and vegetables.