Hold the Phone, Chuck (Roast)

I've only made a roast once before in my life, and that was during "Cooking With Alice" (see New House Pot Roast). It's not that I don't like it, but it's what my mother made what seemed to be every Sunday as I was growing up (when she wasn't making her other speciality - reservations) and I just remember it being kind of dry and having to use lots of ketchup. This recipe intrigued me 1.Because I got to use my retro chic crock pot (aka slow cooker; see Courthouse Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce)  and  2. Because of the gravy.I do love me some good gravy. A chuck roast, beef broth, wine, herbs) I used rosemary as I didn't have the thyme).carrots, onion and a lot of time.  Speaking of time, it took nine hours - here's a million dollar idea - someone should really invent a fast slow cooker.

Night Shift, the 1982 comedy classic starring Michael Keaton (before he was Batman),  Shelly Long (pre- Diane Chambers), Henry Winkler ( after he was The Fonz) and directed by Ron Howard(after he was Richie Cunningham and before3 he was Bald) all capped off with a theme song by Quarterflash. What more could you want? That's an all star tv cast for a motion picture theatrical release movie that is never shown on TV, and you can't even buy the DVD for a dollar. Oh, and did I mention some of the best movie lines ever? A burned out  Wall Street banker looking to rest in peace, Chuck (Winkler) and a total goofus nephew of the boss, Bill (Keaton) end up on the night shift  in the city morgue. Needless to say, Chuck's reception to Bill is a bit chilly. Bill is an "idea man" who carries around a tape recorder so he can remember his brilliant visions. With notions like feeding tuna mayonnaise ( you know to speed up the tuna fish process)  leads to the best lines like "call Starkist" and when staid Chuck stops the fast talking Bill in his tracks, his exuberant nature leads him to utter "hold the phone, Chuck". Of course,  all of the bickering and conflict lead them to start a prostitution ring to liven up the night. Sounds like a risky business proposition, I know.Comedy ensues and the two polar opposites end up as bosom buddies.

The Recipe:

3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 boneless chuck roast, trimmed, seasoned with salt and pepper (3-4 lbs)
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups sliced onions
6 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2 in pieces
3 large celery ribs, cut into 2 in pieces
6 cloves garlic, chopped
3-4 sprigs thyme
2 bay leaves

Heat oil in a saute pan over medium-high. Sear roast on all sides, 10 minutes total. Transfer roast to slow cooker. Stir flour into saute pan, cook 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute more. Deglaze pan with wine, cooking until liquid evaporates. Stir in broth and Worcestershire, bring to a simmer, scrapping up any brown bits. Transfer broth mixture to the slow cooker, add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme and bay leaved (be sure not to leave anything out). Cover and cook until meat is tender, on high heat setting for 4-5 hours (you know, the "fast" setting if you are in a hurry) or on low for 8-9 hours. Discard thyme and bay leaves before serving. Serves 6-8.

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