Mississippi Roast

I know, I know, we are late to the table on this recipe.  One of my kids even made it before we did (although, in our defense, he has been cooking new recipes every week, and we have been less reliable about that).  This was published in the New York Times this year and became an instant success.  Now that we have made it, I see why.  It is flavorful, delicious, inexpensive (as meat goes), and you make it in a slow cooker, so you can pop it in in the morning and it is ready when you come home.  We served it with mashed potatoes, which was perfect, but the original recipe says roasted potatoes or noodles, which would also probably be good.

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

¼ cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons vegetable oil             

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

½ teaspoon dried dill

¼ teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

1. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.
2. As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve.