Mels Italian Beef Recipes

ITALIAN BEEF

Steps:

• For the dry rub: Mix together the basil, oregano, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
• For the meat: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the beef stock and 1 quart water to a roasting pan. Place the beef roast on a perforated pan and set into the roasting pan. Coat the entire roast with the dry rub. Cover tightly with foil and place in the oven. Cook until the center of the roast reaches 140 degrees F, about 30 minutes per pound.
• Refrigerate the roast for at least 2 hours (the beef must be cold to slice properly). Slice as thinly as possible.
• For the gravy: While the beef is cooking, combine the beef base, black pepper, garlic, celery, bay leaves, onions and 1 gallon cold water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for at least 1 hour. (The longer the gravy simmers, the stronger it gets.) Strain and keep hot.
• To serve, drop a portion of sliced beef into the hot gravy; heat until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the beef on a hoagie roll, add some giardiniera and enjoy.

ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the giardiniera: Combine the carrots, pepperoncini, jalapeños, roasted red peppers, olive oil, pepperoncini liquid, garlic powder and pepper in a bowl. Toss well, then set aside.
• For the beef: Remove the sirloin from the freezer and, using a mandoline or a sharp knife, cut into very thin strips against the grain. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saute pan. Add the beef and sauté until starting to brown, but still pink, about 2 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and garlic, then cook for 30 seconds. Add the broth and vinegar, then bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat.
• Place 3 slices of provolone on each roll. Top with the hot beef. Sprinkle with some of the giardiniera. Serve with extra broth on the side for dipping.

ORIGINAL HOMEMADE ITALIAN BEEF

Steps:

• Place the roast into a slow cooker, and season with Italian dressing mix. Pour in the water. Cover, and cook on High for 6 to 7 hours. During the last hour, shred the meat with two forks - if it does not shred easily, cook longer. Add the peppers, and as much of the juice as you like for additional flavor. Serve on buns.

GRANDMA MAUL'S ITALIAN BEEF

Steps:

• Rinse and pat dry the roast. Coat the roast evenly with the flour; season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic to the hot oil; sear the beef in the oil until all sides are slightly browned. Transfer the roast to a slow cooker. Pour the water over the roast.
• Cook on Low for 5 hours. Add the anise seed and sesame seed to the slow cooker and cook another 4 hours. Add the green bell pepper and continue cooking until the meat is tender and easily pulled apart, about 1 hour more.

EASY ITALIAN BEEF (MAKE-AHEAD FREEZER MEAL)

Steps:

• Cut chuck roast into 5 pieces and place in a 1-gallon, resealable freezer bag.
• Drain pepperoncinis and reserve 1/4 cup of the liquid. Add peppers to the freezer bag.
• Whisk reserved liquid with Italian dressing mix and olive oil. Pour mixture over the beef and peppers. Tightly seal the bag and mix the contents until well combined. Lay flat in the freezer and freeze for up to one month.
• When ready to cook, remove bag from the freezer and allow contents to partially thaw until they can be broken apart, about 1 hour.
• Empty bag into a slow cooker. Cook until meat is tender and shreds easily with a fork, on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 6 hours.
• Remove meat and shred with a fork. Return meat to the pot and serve immediately.