Chicago Shredded Italian Beef

Alrighty! I am from the Chicago area, and i can tell you with some certainty, that this really does taste like home. I used a Chuck roast, but round should be fine. you can thicken the juices for a nice sauce. Serve over home-made rolls!


Ingredients:
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper (white pepper has an extra kick)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp onion powder (minced works too)
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 (.7 oz) pkg italian-style dressing mix
1 (3 to 5 pound) rump roast or chuck roast

Method:
1. Combine the water and the dry ingredients in a saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil.

3. place roast in 3-5 qt slow cooker.

4. pour the boiled mixture over the meat in the slowcooker.

5. Cover, cook on low for 10-12 hours, or high for 4-6 hours.

6. when done, pull out the bay leaf, and shred the meat with a fork.

(i pulled the meat out to a plate and let it rest while i thickened the sauce in the cooker. shred with two dorks, like pulling pulled pork.)

7. Prepare for food coma :-)

Buns of Awesome

So, with these, proofing the yeast makes for a nice light bun. I sometimes add shredded cheese or parmesean, or some herbs to the dough, depending on what i am making them for. regardless, they are yummy in all ways. One fun modification: if you have muffin tins, pull pieced off the dough, and drop three balls into each muffin cup. no liners!! rise as usual, and bake till golden brown. and voila! cloverleaf rolls!


Ingredients:
2 cups warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup white sugar
2 (.25 ounce) packages instant yeast
2 teaspoons salt
6 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed


Method:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the milk, margarine, warm water, sugar and yeast.

2. Let stand for about 5 minutes.

3. Mix in the salt, and gradually stir in the flour until you have a soft dough.

4. Divide into 25 pieces, and form into balls.(for hotdog buns, make balls, then roll em in your hands till they are little elliptical spheroids) Place on baking sheets so they are 2 to 3 inches apart.

5. Let rise for 20 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

7. Bake the rolls for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool slightly, serve as hamburger buns, dinner rolls, hot dog buns, whatever you like!