
Perfect Pot Roast & Root Veggies, on a pie blog? Yes. I do love pies, but pairing dinner with pies (like wine) is fun. Plus, I am one of those that needs savory to offset the sweet; ying and yang of a hearty dinner and a light pie for dessert.
To get right into things, you will need a dutch oven (square or round) with a lid or large glass baking dish with a domed lid. Your pot roast needs some room as you will be adding the root veggies halfway through baking time.
I used two pot roasts equal to about 4 pounds.

Use a large platter and coat the roasts in seasoned flour (gluten free is great). I had just moved and the only platter I could find was my Wonder Woman platter. Thank You Lydia!
Sear the coated pot roasts in a hot skillet with about 3 to 4 tablespoons of cooking oil or butter (I like 50/50 mix). Set the roasts aside back onto platter.

In the same skillet add the onions, saute until the edges are starting to brown and add the onions to the dutch oven. Place the seared roasts on top. Deglaze the skillet with red wine (see recipe) and add to dutch oven along with bay leaf, half of the beef broth, tomato paste and herbs.

Place the lid on dutch oven and bake at 350 F for 2 hours. While baking, this is a great time to cut up and prep the root veggies.

At the end of 2 hours you will see the gorgeous earthy crimson (see above). Add the root veggies and an additional 2 cup of beef broth.
What Root Veggies To Use:
- Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes. Yukon Golds have a buttery flavor, Red potatoes have a subtle sweet flavor.
- Russet potatoes are less dense, but higher in starch than Yukon or Red potatoes.
- Parsnips have a nutty earthy sweet flavor.
- Carrots speak for themselves, color and taste.
- Vidalia or Walla Walla onions, also on the sweeter side of the onion family.
- Turnips are sweet, nutty, and earthy.
- Rutabagas are less sweet than carrots and other root veggies, but the flavor sweetens a bit when cooked.

Place the lid back on dutch oven and return to oven at 325 F for additional 1-1/2 to 2 hours. I tested mine at 1 hour 45 minutes, roast was shreddable and veggies were perfect and not mushy.

Remove the roast(s) onto platter, spoon out veggies and place around roasts. For the most part, the onions will be “baked” away. However, the fun finishing touch is next; the gravy!
In a sauce pan add 4 tablespoons butter and 4 tablespoons flour. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes to make roux. Pour all of the drippings from dutch oven into butter/flour mixture. Whisk with a flat bottom whisk over medium-high heat until gravy thickens. Serve over shredded roast and veggies.

As far as pie pairing, I chose Lemon Cranberry Swirl Tart, which I made a day prior. It is a light refreshing finish to this ultimate pot roast and root veggie feast.


