Ever heard of a Coffee Roast?

[Jewel]

I just found a recipe that intrigues me, and I was wondering if anyone else had tried this. Rump or Chuck Roast, well trimmed, put in a crockpot with chopped onions, minced garlic and a few various spices, with 6 cups of brewed coffee! Apparantly the aroma is amazing, and the 'gravy' that is made in the crockpot as the roast cooks can be thickened with cornstarch before spooning over the roast. In the reviews, everyone that tried it said they were initially turned off by the idea, but that the gravy is what sold them in the long run! Reviewers were saying they froze the leftover gravy for future use, it was that good!

If I do try this, do you think it would be better if the roast was left whole or chunked first? Recipe also doesn't call for browning the beef first, but I'm wondering if that would help enhance the flavor... just curious if I'm the only one who hasn't heard of this!

[sneezles]

Jewel,
Nope, never heard of this either! Does sound interesting though! I would guess that if it doesn't call for browning it isn't necessary and I would leave the roast whole. So if you make it and like it would you post the recipe?

[foodiedelite]

Believe it or not, I've heard of adding coffee to a roast. A local chef, which hosts a PBS cooking Show has featured this on one segment and also published the recipe in her cookbook, Savour the Southwest. I don't have a copy of her cookbook, although I believe she seared the roast to seal in flavors and left it whole. It looked divine!

[lorilei]

I nearly always add coffee to my beef stew. It really does add a depth to the flavor, and perfectly compliments the beef flavor. It seems to me that the acidity also has a tenderizing effect on tougher cuts of meat.

Do try the recipe - and enjoy!

[SusanL]

Jewel, please share your recipe, it sounds wonderful!! I use coffee in my baked beans but not in a roast- the crock pot sounds even better!!

[Jewel]

Originally posted by SusanL:
Jewel, please share your recipe, it sounds wonderful!! I use coffee in my baked beans but not in a roast- the crock pot sounds even better!!

Susan, this is it. The recipe calls for canned mushrooms, but I honestly don't think I could stomach them. I'd probably use fresh and only put them in the last hour or so in the crockpot!

*********
COFFEE ROAST

3 TBS butter, divided
1 4 lb Chuck Roast
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups brewed coffee
2 cups canned mushrooms
3 TBS Cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste

Melt 2 TBS butter in skillet over medium high heat. Add the roast and sear on all sides until well browned. Set aside.

In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter, add the salt, onions and garlic and saute for 5 minutes. Place meat, onion and garlic mixture, coffee and mushrooms in crockpot. Cook on low 6-7 hours or until tender.

To make gravy: Remove roast from crockpot, and remove a cup of the coffee mixture and combine with cornstarch and mix until smooth. Turn crockpot to high, mix into remaining mixture in crockpot, and stir until thickened. Serve over sliced roast.
********

Does this need a bit more spice? Maybe more garlic? Opinions please! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[SusanL]

Jewel, thanks, I agree with the mushrooms!! I will put it on my list to make next week, it looks like a good work day recipe. Ahh, more garlic, please. I am not sure about the coffee, so I wouldn't play around too much until I try it first! Now I wonder, Regular or Decaf? Thank you!!

[Jewel]

Susan, I agree about the garlic too. I always add more garlic to a recipe. I've never understood 'one clove' in a recipe. In most recipes you couldn't even taste one clove! I also think that the coffee might tend to overpower the other spices a bit, and they may need to be kicked up. Please let me know how your roast turns out! I will probably try to cook it next week also, but considering surgery is Monday, I may not be working in the kitchen too much. Of course, crockpot meals would be easiest! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Nothing like being a little under-the-weather and kicking back in a recliner smelling good stuff cooking all day long! Good luck!

[SusanL]

OK, Jewel, food is one thing, but will you still be on-line after the surgery? I hope so, if not, we will miss you for a short period of time!! Good Luck!! Thanks for the recipe, I have it cued for next week!! Will Post!!

[This message has been edited by SusanL (edited 05-11-2001).]

[Jewel]

You just try to keep me off this board Girlfriend!! I'll be on, probably not until Tuesday. I'll be a little more of a couch potato on Monday probably. Thanks for the prayers and thoughts, I'll be needing all I can get! A Tummy Tuck is a cutesy name, but it's major surgery, and my surgeon doesn't let me forget it! Plus, since I've been through it before I know what to expect. Still, complications and infections do occur. I've already got a 25" incision from the first one, this one will be reopening about 8-9" of it to finish the job. Thanks for the postive thoughts! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif