Mississippi Roast

 

INGREDIENTS

• 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 neutral oil, like canola
• 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

PREPARATION

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

Rice Porridge With Squash and Brown Butter

 

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup medium-grain white rice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
•  Black pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ to 2 pounds mixed squash, such as honeynut, kabocha or butternut
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 ounces unsalted butter
• ½ cup half-and-half
•  Handful of fresh herbs, such as mint, lemon balm or basil, to garnish
•  Pickled vegetables, to garnish

PREPARATION

1. In a pot, add the cold water and rice, and place over medium heat. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to keep rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan, then turn down to low heat and simmer. When rice is tender and water is almost evaporated, about 20 minutes, season the rice, and stir well. Cool at room temperature, then transfer to the fridge overnight.
2. Heat the oven to 400. Halve the squash, then use a knife to remove the skin, and roughly chop squash into 2-inch pieces. Toss with oil, and spread on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, and roast for 30 minutes, or until browned and tender all the way through.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, and simmer until the butter spatters and the milk solids turn brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. Add the squash, browned butter and half-and-half to a blender and purée, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to get a very evenly smooth purée. Add a splash more water if needed to help the blades catch the squash.
4. After the rice has rested for about 8 hours, or overnight, warm it in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring gently with a splash of water. The porridge should be thick and shiny, but not soupy, with the texture of a soft risotto. When it is warm, add the squash purée, and stir well. Simmer everything together on low heat for about five minutes, then taste and season as needed with salt and pepper. Ladle hot porridge into bowls, and garnish with a mix of fresh herbs and pickled vegetables.