"Stracoto" with Caramelized-Shallot Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus

Okay, so I was planning on making Giada's Stracoto (Italian Pot Roast), but didn't have 3+ hours to do it, so I made it my way. The mashed potatoes recipe is from epicurious and they're amazing!

Italian Pot Roast

2 cups beef broth

1/4 cup red cooking wine

2 small onions, chopped

1 oz dried cremini mushrooms

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 sprig fresh rosemary

3-4 lb eye round roast

Preheat oven to 350

In a large roasting pan, place roast, fat side down.

Add onions and mushrooms to the pan. Pour beef broth and wine over roast.

Make 3 long slits in roast and stuff with garlic.

Make 1 short, deep slit at the top of the roast and insert rosemary sprig.

Roast for about 2 hours (for medium), basting throughout.

Let stand for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

Add the onions and mushrooms, along with the pan juices to a blender or food processor and puree. This sauce can be used on the roast and whatever else you'd like!

Caramelized-Shallot Mashed Potatoes

6tbs butter, divided

2 cups sliced shallots

3/4 cup whole milk

2lbs large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered

Melt 2 tbs butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat.

Add sliced shallots and cook until tender and brown, stirring often, about 20 minutes. (Mine did not cook this long) Transfer shallots to small bowl. Add milk to skillet and set aside.

Meanwhile, place quartered potatoes in large saucepan. Add enough cold water to pan to cover potatoes by 1-1/2 inches. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Return potatoes to pan and stir over medium heat until dry, about 1 minute. Add remaining 4 tbs butter. Bring milk in skillet to simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Add hot milk to potatoes. Mash potatoes. Stir in caramelized shallots and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Asparagus

I normally grill my asparagus in the summer, but since it was raining, I just roasted it in the oven.

1 bunch asparagus

1 tbs olive oil

salt and pepper

Place asaparagus in a square dish/pan and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook in oven at 350 for about 10-15 minutes, to desired tenderness.

Enjoy!!!