Cooking beef round roast in a slow cooker

mrmorgan

hi guys

I plan to do this tomorrow. but I have no idea how to do it.

could somone give me some tips as other places i have looked seem to have different opinions

do I put oil in the slow cooker?
do i put water?
do I leave the netting on?

any opinions would be great.

Cheers

Mystery Egg

I would season the meat and then spend a couple of minutes browning the roast all over in a hot pan first of all.

Then smear it with English mustard and add some roughly chopped carrot, onion and celery to the base of your slow cooker and sit the meat on top. Add a sprig or two of rosemary if you have it.

Then add a cup of liquid - red wine, stock or whatever you fancy yourself, and leave the meat to cook on low for 8 hours.

Then later, make gravy with the juices.

Mystery Egg

Oh and I would take the netting off.

But just a question - are you sure it isn't corned beef? I've only seen netting on corned beef.

In which case ignore everything I have said and just slow cook it in a cup of water, and eat with parsley sauce.

OldMrBrennan83

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Stheno

Mystery Egg wrote: »

Oh and I would take the netting off.

But just a question - are you sure it isn't corned beef? I've only seen netting on corned beef.

In which case ignore everything I have said and just slow cook it in a cup of water, and eat with parsley sauce.

I've gotten roast beef with netting on

mrmorgan

Hi guys

yes it's defo beef round roast and has the netting on.

thanks sounds good, question. why do you brown it 1st before putting it it? what difference does it make?

sorry for all the questions, i havent a clue what i am at

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Mystery Egg

mrmorgan wrote: »

Hi guys

yes it's defo beef round roast and has the netting on.

thanks sounds good, question. why do you brown it 1st before putting it it? what difference does it make?

sorry for all the questions, i havent a clue what i am at

Good, good.

I brown it so that it looks appetising when it is cooked. The browning also helps the flavour and colour of the gravy made from the juices.

If you don't brown it you can still eat it no problem, but it will look a little grey-ish and may smell 'boiled'.

mrmorgan

Mystery Egg wrote: »

Good, good.

I brown it so that it looks appetising when it is cooked. The browning also helps the flavour and colour of the gravy made from the juices.

If you don't brown it you can still eat it no problem, but it will look a little grey-ish and may smell 'boiled'.

sounds like im browning it so

what do you suggest for the liquid (or is it needed) I suppose boiling beef stock would be the best

Mystery Egg

Beef stock is grand, hot or cold is fine. If you use stock, remember to watch your salt when seasoning the beef, as the stock is quite salty and you don't want your gravy to be over-salted.

Water is surprisingly fine, as it will be flavoured with the meat, vegetables and herbs.

Red wine is good, but rich.

A mixture of any of the above is good, too. And yes, you need a small amount of liquid for a slow cooker to work, as that is how the heat is distributed.

Mystery Egg

Mystery Egg wrote: »

Oh and I would take the netting off.

But just a question - are you sure it isn't corned beef? I've only seen netting on corned beef.

In which case ignore everything I have said and just slow cook it in a cup of water, and eat with parsley sauce.

Tesco roast meat usually has netting on. Love your recipe!

Dizzyblonde

I sometimes put it in the oven for 15-20 minutes afterwards to add colour rather than brown it first.

mrmorgan

thanks guys, I am looking forward to it now

Dizzyblonde

Enjoy

cobham

I would preheat veggies and liquid before adding to pot... maybe toss about in pan used to brown the meat? Only bare amount of liquid as little will escape in cooking and juice will come out of meat and veggies.

the beer revolu

Patww79 wrote: »

Seals most of the juices inside.

I'm afraid this is a well debunked myth - despite many chefs and writers continuously repeating it.

OldMrBrennan83

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the beer revolu

I would most certainly continue to do it for the reasons below

Patww79 wrote: »

The flavour thing is more applicable though, browning anything, meat or veg, will enhance it.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

the beer revolu

Patww79 wrote: »

I'll continue doing it for both reasons, like I said I find the meat dryer too if I don't.

This doesn't need to turn into a 'you're doing it wrong' type thing.

You're not doing anything wrong.

the beer revolu

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searing

Day Lewin

This is exactly how to make a Pot Roast: I did it this Sunday using Housekeeper's Cut, from Tesco - WITH netting which I left on.

Browned it on a hot heavy pan, placed in an ordinary ovenproof casserole (really an enamel pot) with a layer of sliced veg in the bottom.
Deglazed the pan with some vino, poured that over the meat, adding some sliced mushrooms and thyme, salt n pepper. Just barely enough liquid to wet its feet.

Sealed lid on tightly, leave in very, very slow oven for four hours. Tender as butter.

Other touches would include thickening the gravy etc but you can work those out for yourself. The tight seal is achieved with strips of slightly crumpled tinfoil. It mustn't dry out, of course.

PS the meat was on special offer, it cost about E8.50 for about 1.5 kg. Choice!