This and that: Crockpot Italian Pulled Beef Sandwiches..

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Crockpot Italian Pulled Beef Sandwiches..

I love my crockpot and use it often during the year.  The only problem about using a crockpot is that you have to think about your meal ahead of time... and that is one thing I don't always do.. I am a spur of the moment type of person, I run down to the freezer and look in and after I see what I have, I figure out what I am going to make.  But on rare occasions I will do this in the morning and take out something to put in my crockpot.
This crockpot meal you have to think about it a day before, because ideally it should cook for at least 18 hours.  Well, this is the real world and in my world that seldom if ever happens.  On occasion I will remember the night before to put it in... but then that causes another problem ~~~ How do you sleep with those wonderful smells waffling into the bedroom, making your stomach growl?  Not an easy task and when I do it, I am hungry all night...
The other reason I like my crockpot is that I love the taste of the meat when it comes out and you can use a cheaper cut and it still usually turns out wonderfully.
Last weekend I wanted to make this as I knew that our Foodie Friends Friday was have a Croctober party and I need some crock pot recipes.  Also, I was having company and as my husband isn't that keen on sandwiches there wouldn't be so much left over.  So, Friday evening I asked my brother when they would be leaving on Saturday and he thought shortly afternoon.  Horrors this takes a good 16 -18 hours on low and it is already 10 pm... so if we ate at noon that would only be 15 hours... What to do?  Did you know that if you cooked an hour on high, that is an two hours on low?  So I put the meat and everything else in and turned it on high for about an hour and half and then turned it on low..   The next day at shortly after one we sat down for Italian Pulled Beef Sandwiches and they got a good review.
This recipe I originally received from a friend and she got it from a Chicago paper, but I never did write it down so this is how I made it this time..


Crockpot Italian Pulled Beef Sandwiches
Ingredients:
5 lbs roast - you can use any kind and this time I only used a 2.5 lb and it worked good
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 can beef broth
1 jar Italian Mix Giardiniera
1 jar Golden Peperoncini - I used only 1/2 jar
buns - I used small Italian buns
cheese (optional) - I used tillamook garlic cheese white cheddar cheese.

Place all ingredients into a crock pot and place on low and cook for 18 hours.  If you are short on time, you can put it on high for an hour or two and then turn down to low for the rest of the time. For best results cook for at least 16 hours, the longer the better.
Once cooked, shred the beef and vegetables.  I took out the peperoncini and put them on the side as I wasn't sure if the children would eat them...  Place in open faced buns, I used Italian buns that I melted butter and spread on the top and placed in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes.  They were nice and crisp.
Add meat, and cheese if wanted.  I also added a small amount of gravy.. direction for what I did are below in the *.

* because I only used a small roast, there was a lot of liquid left over.  I place this in a pot on medium heat until it came to a nice rolling boil.  Remove approximately 1/4 cup and add 1 -2 tbsp of flour and stir until mixed in.  Add to the rest of the sauce slowly, stirring as you are adding the flour mixture in.  Continue to boil until you get gravy at the thickness you want.  Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more flour if needed.  You can either have a thin gravy as an au jus or thicker gravy.  I opted for a thicker gravy and place a small amount over the beef in the bun.

Another way of eating this would be over mashed potatoes or with rice.

all ingredients in crockpot
Sorry picture isn't very good as I took with my phone.

shred beef and Italian Mix Giardiniera 

Enjoy!

15 comments :

  1. Wow! These look sooo delicious! Yum!

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    1. Thanks.... We all thought it was delicious... and around the table was full mouths and thumbs up :)

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  2. I have never had a sandwich like this! I have often seen them, but always thought it would take too much work. This looks, not only easy, but delicious!

    I love my crockpots, I have 5!

    Thanks you for sharing your recipe on Foodie Friends Friday. I know everyone will love it!

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    1. Thanks Cynthia... it is a very easy recipe... just need to remember to do it a day early :)

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  3. I'm visiting today from the FFFFF blog hop and I have to say this is a recipe my husband would LOVE. I'm following you on Linky and GFC.

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  4. Oh yum! This is a nice and spicy blend of meat and peppery veggies! We love food with a kick and I can't wait to try your version! I went over to Google + and guess what? I've been following you for a while! I knew your name looked familiar - can't wait to see what else you have

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  5. Mmmmm, I am loving the flavors in this Italian Beef!! Thank you so much for linking to Simple Supper Tuesday on HunWFD :o)

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  6. Wonderful recipe! Stopping by from Superbowl and Chili Cookoff Link Party! Now following you on GFC and Linky:) Your recipes look wonderful! Stop by for a visit! Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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  7. This is in my slow cooker right now and my house smells AMAZING!!! Cant wait for dinner!

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  8. This looks fabulous!! I'm looking forward to trying it. Thanks for sharing this great recipe at Foodie Friends Friday.

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  9. Yummm! Pinning to try. I love crockpot recipes.

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    1. I hope you like it... Let me know what you think.

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  10. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe at Tasty Tuesday!! Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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  11. Perfect for the arrival of slow cooker season. I would love for you to share this at Title

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