Pot Roast Help Needed!!

[mugsy27]

first off, if you have a TNT pot roast recipe that you would like to share, please post it in this thread...i am very much open to suggestions!!

i have a recipe that i plan on using (unless someone posts one hear that looks better) that i got from todays episode of "how to boil water".

it starts it off on the stovetop in a dutch oven and them moves the dutch oven into the oven for a few hours.

i dont own either a dutch oven or a slow-cooker...so it looks like a purchase is in order. and that is basicaly my question...which is more versatile, and will give me more practical use?

should i get a slow cooker or a dutch oven?? what kinds of both do you all suggest and what is the approx. cost??

TIA!!

 

[Shunka]

mugsy, I just use a roasting pan for my pot roasts. Yes, I do have Dutch ovens and slow cookers, but find myself using the old fashioned way 95% of the time. You can cover the roasting pan with foil if you don't have a lid for it. A good decent weight 13x9x2 cake pan will even do the job.

 

[mugsy27]

interesting!! i dont even have a roasting pan...am i better off going this route?? again, im thinking versatality.

i have been leaning twards the dutch over, only because i figure i can use it to boil larger dishes (seafood, ribs, etc) in.

 

[Shunka]

A Dutch oven is always handy to have on hand; the one I have is a big cast iron one. As you said, you want something that you will use for all different kinds of cooking. A roasting pan or even a good cake pan is another thing that is indispensible. I think that it really all depends on what you would prefer and think that you will use the most. BTW, keep meaning to tell you that your tag-line makes me think that you might be related somehow to my family!!!! LOL!!

 

[Constance]

Mugsy, I recommend you go with the Dutch oven first. It's an essential for cooking, and can be used for all kinds of things...deep-frying, roasts, soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, etc.
I have a new Calaphon dutch oven that I think is great. If you're only going to have one, I suggest you consider this one. I also have a magnalite that I like very much, but I think the company may be out of business.
Whatever you choose, buy the best you can afford. Good cookware can last a lifetime if you take care of it. I still have my mother's cast aluminum dutch oven that she got for a wedding present when she got married in 1946. And it still makes the best pot roast.

 

[buckytom]

for pot roasts, a good, large, heavy bottomed pot with a lid, like a dutch oven is the way to go, imo. a pot roast, as opposed to other roasts like chicken or standing rib, is really braised in a liquid, not roasted on a rack in a roasting pan. so a pot is in order, hence pot roast. i use a really old stainless steel 8 qt. farberware pot to make my pot roasts.
this is the same pot i use for everything from tom yum to sunday gravy, so a dutch oven or heavy bottomed stock pot can be very versatile.

for my pot roast, i trim all sinew away from the outside of a rump, bottom, or even an eye round roast, then roll it, pressing it in a rub of fresh cracked black pepper, sea salt, paprika, onion and garlic powder, celery seed, dried oregano, thyme, marjoram, and savory.
the rubbed roast is browned/seared in oil over medium high heat on all sides in the pot, then it is set aside and the pot deglazed with red or white wine; whatever is open.
the roast is returned to the pot with the wine, and a few 1/2'd carrots, onions, and stalks of celery are placed around the meat. a 50/50 mix of water and wine is added to bring the liquid level up to about 1/3rd to 1/2 up the sides of the roast. the heat is turned to low, a few bay leaves tossed in, and the pot covered to allow the roast to braise slowly.
check it every once in a while to make sure it is on a low simmer, and turn the meat occasionally. when the meat is fork tender and falling apart or shredding easily, it is done. the veggies should be well cooked, and can be served as a side veggie, or blended in to the remaining liquid to start the makings of the gravy.

 

[cats]

I have a cast iron dutch oven that I purchased a very long time ago. I got it because my grandmother always made the most tender pot roast dinners and that was what she used. Now, however, I use a large crock pot and like that much better. I think it's better because you don't have to use the oven and/or stove top for an extended period of time to cook a tender roast. The roast never fails to literally fall apart using the crock pot and there is likely less energy used, no watching, easy cleanup, and absolutely excellent results. I would definitely suggest getting a large crock pot.

 

[jkath]

Mugsy,
I generally make my pot roasts in my roaster (18qt GE thing that looks like a crockpot on steroids - WalMart $28) I put a large roast (4-5lbs) in it, along with seasonings (garlic garni, pepper, or whatever strikes me at the moment), some beef broth, and minced garlic and onion. I cook that for 3-5 hours on a low setting, then add red potoatoes, carrots, celery, etc...for a couple more hours. It always comes out quite tender, and I can use my oven for making the bread to go with it.
Best advice: always ask your butcher to find you the best cut!

 

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

The pot that everyone forgets is the pressure cooker. And it is also an extremely versatile pot. You can make rice in it, in a fraction of the time it takes to bil or steam it. It cooks any meat that is supposed to be well done to tender perfection in less than half the time it takes in an oven, on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker. And I have had roasts come out very tough from the slow cooker. I have never had a tough piece of meat from a pressure cooker. Chili, boiled dinner, venison, boiled veggies, you name it, and I've made it in a pressure cooker (now you have to be reasnable here).

For a pressure cooked pot roast, heat up a heavy, fry pan. While it is heating, place peeled, halved potatoes, sliced carrots, quartered onions, a few cloves of garlic, and enough water to cover the veggies into the pot. Sear the meat on all sides, to brown it a little. Transfer it to the pot, on top of the veggies, season with S & P, and a bit of Oregano, and place the lid on securley. My pressure cooker allows me to select from 5, 10, and 15 lb. settings. For this dish, I would use the 15 lb. setting. Then, cook that roast for 30 minutes, or about 5 minutes per lb. Remove the pot from the heat, and let all of the steam and pressure escape before removing the lid (follow maunfacturer's instructions). You should have a perfect pot roast. And you just have to try cooking ribs in a pressure cooker. You get moist, fall off of the bones goodness.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

 

[mish]

first off, if you have a TNT pot roast recipe that you would like to share, please post it in this thread...i am very much open to suggestions!!

i have a recipe that i plan on using (unless someone posts one hear that looks better) that i got from todays episode of "how to boil water".

it starts it off on the stovetop in a dutch oven and them moves the dutch oven into the oven for a few hours.

i dont own either a dutch oven or a slow-cooker...so it looks like a purchase is in order. and that is basicaly my question...which is more versatile, and will give me more practical use?

should i get a slow cooker or a dutch oven?? what kinds of both do you all suggest and what is the approx. cost??

TIA!!

mugsy, would like to see the recipe you have in mind.

Re cooking apparatuses: A broiler pan/roaster will do just fine. A Dutch oven, for me, is a necessity, as I use it to prepare so many dishes. The slow cooker, I use rarely, but it is inexpensive and a quick tool to have to save time. If you don't already have a 'basic' set of cooking pots n pans, check around, as there are many price ranges to suit everyone's pocket. A basic set usually includes, saucepans, skillet, covers and a Dutch oven - about 7 pieces.

The roast - I cut slits in the roast and insert garlic cloves. Sometimes I use a dry onion/mushroom soup mixture, or add red wine or coffee... & lots of onions, carrots, potatoes or veggies of choice and more shrooms.

 

[jennyema]

I could never live without a heavy dutch oven. It's the most-used piece of cookware I have.

 

[Michael in FtW]

Dutch Oven has become a generic term for just about any pot in the 5-7 quart range that is 8-10 inches in diameter, has a tight fitting lid, and the height of the sides are about 1/2 the diameter of the pot. A soup or stock pot will have sides taller than the radius - a casserole will have shorter sides.

If you're going to do all the cooking on the stove top - any heavy bottomed pot will work (anodized aluminum, stainless steel with an "encapsulated aluminum disk" on the bottom, etc.) These can also be used for other things, like boiling pasta, etc. They will also work in the oven - the max temperature range will depend on the cookware and lid materials.

Cast iron works well on the stove top (unless you have a ceramic stove top that says not to use it because it will be too heavy or scratch it) and is better in the oven than probably anything else. Cast iron absorbs and releases heat very slowly (it's poor conduction is what makes it great in this instance) ... as the oven cycles off and on - the cast iron maintains a much more uniform cooking temperature within the pot. That's also why it is the choice every grandmother (born before 1950) for frying. The weight and slow heating might not make it ideal for boiling pasta - but it's great for pot roasts, soups, stews, chili, frying, etc.

I grew up with a 5-qt cast iron dutch oven - like this. You can find them just about anywhere (Target, WalMart, etc.) but the best prices I have seen have been at hardware stores. If you have an Ace Hardware store in your area you might want to check them out. Have you ever noticed that when Alton Brown is shopping for cast iron he goes to an Ace Hardware store? Just an observation.

Yes, it is cast iron and has to be treated and cared for as such. The alternative is porcelain/enamel coated cast iron, like that from Le Creuset, which also needs to be treated kindly to prevent thermal shock or impact chipping. If you screw up the seasoning on a cast iron pot you can redo it - screw up the enamel lining in Le Creuset you have to toss it. Hum ... Lodge (5-qt) cast iron pot form Ace is about $35 - a similar sized pot (5.5-qt) from Le Creuset is about $190.

Now, regarding slow-cookers vs cast iron (Lodge or Le Creuset) dutch ovens ... I can't think of a thing I can do in a similar sized slow-cooker that I can't do in a dutch oven, but I can think of things I can do in a dutch oven that I can't do in a slow-cooker.

RECIPES: Yep, that "Pot Roast with Roasted Vegetables" recipe looks totally yummy. Of course FoodTV has some easier pot roast recipes, too. I did a quick search of their pot roast recipes and found 44. I Googled "pot roast recipe" and found a bunch more to choose from.

 

[Constance]

Hook'em Horns, Micheal.

I'm sorry...I'm just not that big on cast iron, or Le Creuset. But whatever works for you!

 

[Michael in FtW]

LOL Constance! Cast iron has it's place - but I'm certainly not a "if it ain't CI it's not worth cooking with" snob and I can't imagine that I would ever buy anything from Le Creuset (also known in some circles as "They Cost an Arm and a Leg" or Le Costalot)!

Mugsy didn't seem to have a pot to roast in - and for economy and versitility that is why I suggested the 5-qt cast iron pot. A 6-qt SS pot from All-Clad is about the same price as from Le Fancy Frenchy ($190) and even one from the Emerilware line is $80.

Given it's versitility, utility, and price - what else should I have suggested?