Balsamic Shredded Beef

Hey. Hope tax day wasn't so taxing yesterday. Okay bad jokes should be off limits. I haven't blogged in a few weeks just been busy with doctors appointments, my son starting indoor soccer, and life. We have been just keeping it simple and eating some freezer staples. 

Some recipes and freezer staples that we have been eating are: spaghetti with this easy tomato eggplant "pasta" sauce, then using the same sauce for homemade pizza with tons of melted shredded mozzarella, shredded monterrey jack, and spicy pepperoni, and eating chicken garlic toasted subs with some homemade french fries. Last night I defrosted and reheated some black bean sweet potato beefy chili and leftover corn muffins. Dinner was done in 15 minutes! More time to play on the floor with my little hungry one. I usually have some sort of chili in the freezer. I have 6 chili recipes on my blog.... addicted to chili much? Yeah its a fall thing. I can't go throughout fall without making at least a few batches. It seems to go well with football.  

I love having stuff in the freezer I can just pull out and either heat and serve, or add to to save time and energy off the evening. I usually will give up family time to make sure I am cooking healthy from scratch, as much as possible, but when the food is ready in the freezer (due some good planning ahead) I am a very happy momma. 

So in the midst of busy schedules I was very thankful for this delicious crockpot roast recipe. I usually don't cook with brown sugar, but this recipe is so good. Like lick your fingers and plate off at the end of the evening good. The balsamic vinegar and the brown sugar work magic simmering away on low. I am not a vinegar fan and usually shy away from things that call for apple cider vinegar and such but balsamic is different. It gets a wonderful earthy sweetness when paired with the right things like salmon in this recipe  or  Bruschetta Chicken Sub Sandwiches. If you like balsamic vinegar you should definately check out these recipes and try this new one below. 

So best crockpot recipe of 2015 - Shredded Balsamic Beef

recipe is adapted from Shugary Sweets

Feeds 4-5 adults 

Recipe Ingredients:

2 1/2 - 3lb beef chuck roast

1 cup of beef broth

1/2 cup of light brown sugar

1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

3 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed open

2 Tbs flour 

Directions

1. Mix everything together except the beef and flour in the bottom of a crockpot with a whisk. 

2. Set the beef into the sauce

3. Cook on low for 8-10 hrs. 

4. Pull the meat out onto a cutting board and shred with two forks (try to not eat it as you go)

5. In a small bowl or mug mix together the flour with 1/4 cup of water with a fork to make a slurry. Pour this paste mixture into the remaining sauce to thicken. Put the lid back on the crockpot and let it cook for another 5 minutes.

6. Then put the meat back in to absorb a bit more wonderful sauce. 

7. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice. 

8. Eat! 

My son's way of telling me its time to stop taking pictures and EAT :)
He's a good kid.