Just going to be honest with you here… I have the Super Bowl on right now, but only to listen for commercial breaks! The commercials are all that my students will talk about tomorrow, and I have to be up on what was shown! Apparently, I already missed a couple…
Since we’re not having a Super Bowl party, or going to one, I wanted to use today to make something I can use throughout the week in lunches or various dinners, so I polled on Facebook and Twitter about what to make. I had it narrowed down to two possibilities: slow-cooker BBQ pork or slow-cooker Italian beef. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of the Italian beef, but my decision was made up for me by the recipes. The key to good BBQ flavor is a touch of sweetness…brought by brown sugar. This eating plan I’m following leaves little wiggle room for extra sugar, and since I’m doing so well so far, I didn’t want to risk it!
Italian Beef is a Chicago staple, slightly different from the more well-known French Dip sandwich. The beef has a very spiced broth it’s slow-cooked in, and the sandwiches are, to the purists, served “wet” with sweet green peppers and sometimes mozzarella cheese. It’s been a long time since I’ve had good Italian beef, even though we live down the street from one of the best: Portillo’s.
I perused AllRecipes.comand myrecipes.com for various Italian beef recipes, and they ranged from super simple to quite complicated. I went with a variation on one of the simpler ones. Now, first is a picture of Adam’s Italian Beef, served more classically with no peppers, but plenty of juice, a crusty roll, and some mozzarella:
And then, what I ate. I had a bed of cooked green peppers topped with the Italian beef, then a bit of cheese. Ok, more than a bit of cheese… I like cheese.
It had all the classic flavor of the sandwich I wanted without any of the bread… Italian beef was a good choice! The recipe is simple:
Italian Beef
Ingredients
5 lb. beef roast, I used top round
3 c. water
1 packet Italian dressing mix
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ground mustard
1 tsp. red pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
Directions
Add the beef to a large crock pot. Add water and remaining ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil. Pour over the beef, then cook on low 8-10 hours or on high 4-6 hours. Shred with two forks and serve.
I thoroughly enjoyed my deconstructed non-sandwich, and Adam loved his actual sandwich. I’m thinking this recipe is a keeper. That is, unless I get so sick of eating shredded Italian beef this week that I never want to see it again.
Don’t forget to click the “Save It” button above to save this recipe on your SpringPad! (You all have accounts now, right?)
I got one more anonymous question, as well as an un-needed apology. The girl who asked me the question I answered Friday about the pressure to look a certain way for my wedding thought that SHE was the one I was referring to when I mentioned the fat bride question. That wasn’t the case at all! I got a SEPARATE question asking “What was it like to be a fat bride?” and not the thoughtful one you asked. So, whoever you are, I’m not mad!! Your apology was very sweet, and definitely made me smile.
Hi! Do you want to have kids some day? Any timeline?
My mom will be very happy to read that YES we want to have kids some day! We’re thinking about maybe starting to try in about 2 years when Adam is done with grad school and has a steady job, and (knock on wood) I’m tenured at my current job. It’s definitely in the cards, just not right now.
I’m off to watch The Who perform at half time… I love that these guys are still performing!
Technorati Tags: ask me, beef, cheese, Chicago dining, crockpot, dinner, sandwich, simple, simple recipe
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I LOVE ITALIAN BEEF. It’s my favorite thing I’ve eaten since coming to Chicago, and that includes all of the nice restaurants I’ve been to. I love getting a Big Beef from Portillo’s with mozzarella and sweet peppers. Question – how did you prepare the peppers? Portillo’s sweet peppers are the most amazing thing I’ve ever tasted and I can’t for the life of me figure out how to make them. I bought some from Treasure Island, but they don’t taste right.
Wiggs (The Beholder)´s last blog ..Back on the…er…horse
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That looks seriously good!!
Trish @IamSucceeding´s last blog ..Failure… That Is Success
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That italian beef with the peppers and a little bit of cheese (I love cheese too!) looks so good and I bet it was even more flavorful without the bread. I love eating “sandwiches” that way! (Though I do miss bread sometimes!)
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat)´s last blog ..a healthy balance
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The Who was really good!
That Italian beef looks incredible! I don’t eat beef very often but I wouldn’t say no to that!
Olga @ Healthing It´s last blog ..Super seeds & beans
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lol, i am doing the exact same thing! the tv is turned to the super bowl, but when the commercials aren’t on, i’m reading food blogs
your italian beef look yummy! i love cheese, too
Tyler´s last blog ..Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi and Cauliflower Puree
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Beef looks yummy….will have to try!
The Who were awesome, don’t you think?! It’s a good game too!
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I love my slow cooker! I have a bunch of healthy slow cooker recipes that I post on my blog if you’re interested.
Kathy´s last blog ..Slow Cooker Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-free)
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Fun night in! I also try to use Sundays as an opportunity to cook for the rest of the week… doesn’t always work out, though!
Katie´s last blog ..NYRR Gridiron 4M Race Re-Cap
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That looks really tasty. Red meat is one of the few things that makes my mouth water, so I need to eat one of these beauties when I come to Chicago.
FoodCents´s last blog ..SUPERBOWL & HAPPY CAKES!!!!
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I love that The Who performed but I was a little underwhelmed! Don’t get me wrong, I love them but I thought it could have been a little bit better. What did you think?
K´s last blog ..Who Are You
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Okay, here’s an update on our saga: I’m making the beef right now…but the only issue is that the broth doesn’t cover it. Do you think that’s okay? I had to use two pieces of meat to get the full five pounds…oof. We shall see. I’ll keep you posted.
Wiggs (The Beholder)´s last blog ..Grey likes…moi?
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I sometimes soak the sweet peppers in a little white vinegar and water mixture and refrigerate them overnight befor frying. So good.
Phillip J. Speciale´s last blog ..Basil Mozzarella Tomato Risotto
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