Crock Pot Balsamic Roast with Sweet Onions

I love the ease of making pot roast in the crock pot. This roast incorporates a delicious spice rub and balsamic glaze, all cooked over sweet onions. Since I do indulge in wine from time to time, I added 2 Tbsp of red wine, but you can substitute beef stock or leave it out altogether. This is great served over pureed cauliflower. Enjoy!

Adapted from www.pickygourmet.net.


Serves 3-4.


Ingredients
1 two-pound beef chuck roast
1 tsp coconut or olive oil
1 Tbsp sea salt (or use less, if desired)
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 large sweet onion
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp red wine (optional)
Cauliflower Puree
1 head cauliflower
1 Tbsp grass-fed butter
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Combine vinegar and tomato sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Season all sides of roast with spice mixture.
   NOTE: You may have some of the spice mixture left over. This can be saved for another use.
4. Slice onion into thick slices and place in the bottom of the crock pot.
5. Warm oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place roast in the skillet and brown one side, without moving the roast, for 5 minutes. Use tongs to flip the roast and brown the other side for 3 minutes. Brown the other parts of the roast for about 1 minute each side. Place browned roast on top of onion in crock pot.
6. Turn heat to low, add water and wine to the skillet. Deglaze pan with a wooden spoon. Pour pan liquid over roast, then pour balsamic mixture on top.
7. Place lid on crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours. 
8. While roast cooks, steam cauliflower until tender. You can steam in a microwave by placing in a covered bowl with a little water and heating for about 2-3 minutes. You can also steam in a steamer insert over simmering water. 
9. Drain cooked cauliflower and transfer to bowl of a food processor. Add butter and season with salt and pepper. Process until smooth.
   NOTE: I had a turnip I needed to use so I cooked it and added it to the cauliflower. I think it improved the texture and flavor. If you have a white root vegetable, feel free to cook it and add it in.
10. When roast is done, shred it in its juices, serve over pureed cauliflower, and ladle juice over the top.