Real Yankee Pot Roast

It was only a couple years ago that I discovered how delicious and easy pot roast is. I was raised in a (mostly) meat free home, and I'm slowly overcoming my fear of cooking meat.  Someone suggested I try a pot roast and I haven't looked back. The idea of turning a hunk of beef into an aromatic, savory and succulent dinner is so appealing on an Autumn day. Tender roast beef in a rich beef jus packed with flavorful vegetables and herbs. You can use a crock pot or a dutch oven, and the slow simmering really makes your house smell amazing!
Let me tell you, when vegetables are slow-cooked in juicy beef drippings the result is amazing. The vegetables  steal the show. Can't make this one too often (since a diet should contain only a little red meat), this is a perfect way to welcome Autumn!

INGREDIENTS
1 3-4 lb. beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water
1 cup beef broth
2 yellow onions, thickly sliced
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
2 celery stalks, sliced
carrots, peeled and chopped (as many as you can fit in the pot)
Yukon gold potatoes, chopped (as many as you can fit in the pot)
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat 2 Tbsp. olive in a large heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season beef with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Sear the beef on all sides in the preheated pan, forming a nice brown crust on the outside.

2. Pour in water and beef broth. Add the onion, garlic, celery. Scatter the remaining vegetables and herbs around the pot. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the remaining Tbsp. of olive oil.

3. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Continue cooking 3-4 hours, basting every 30 minutes or so with the pan juices, until the beef is fork tender. Place beef on a platter surrounded by the vegetables. Slice and serve with the pot juices on the side. 

Serves 6-8.