German-Style Beef Roast for the Crock Pot

Red wine or beef broth, chopped dill pickles, and zesty mustard set this succulent beef pot roast apart from the rest. The cooking time makes it just right to set in the morning and have dinner ready when you get home.

• Ready In: 8 hrs 25 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 (2 1/2-3 lb)  boneless beef chuck roast
• 1  tablespoon  cooking oil
• 2  cups  sliced carrots (2)
• 2  cups  chopped onions (2 large)
• 1  cup  sliced celery (2 stalks)
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped kosher dill pickle (or to taste)
• 1⁄2 cup dry red wine or 1⁄2 cup beef broth
• 1⁄3 cup German mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2  bay leaves
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2  tablespoons dry red wine or 2  tablespoons beef broth
•  hot cooked spaetzle noodles or   cooked noodles
•  snipped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

1. Trim fat from meat.
2. If necessary, cut roast to fit into a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker.
3. In a large skillet brown the meat on all sides in hot oil and drain fat.
4. In the cooker, combine the carrots, onions, celery, and pickles.
5. Place the meat on top of vegetables.
6. In a small bowl combine the 1/2 cup red wine, the mustard, pepper, cloves, and bay leaves.
7. Pour over meat and vegetables in cooker.
8. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.
9. Remove the meat from the cooker and place on a serving platter; cover with foil to keep warm.
10. FOR GRAVY:
11. Transfer vegetables and cooking liquid to a 2-quart saucepan.
12. Skim fat and discard bay leaves.
13. In a small bowl, stir together flour and the 2 tablespoons wine. Stir into the mixture in saucepan.
14. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
15. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Serve with vegetables, gravy, and hot cooked spaetzle.
16. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.