Mediterranean Chuck Roast

I love wine and olives, and so manifested the Mediterranean Chuck Roast (Prather Ranch beef) with my two favorites foods. I recently discovered how delicious Mauritson Pinot Noir 2010 is to drink, and well, yes, cook with! Exquisitely smooth and even tasting pinot grapes are wonderful for this dish. Try to find the small potato three color variety, that includes the purple potato from South America. These small potatoes have a power punch of flavor. Wherever possible, add fresh basil and oregano to enhance the entire dish. I found some fabulous sea salts at my local Oaktown Spice Shop. French Grey Sea Salt is suppose to have the highest trace mineral content and the least processed. Also, the Hawaiian Black Lava Sea Salt, has charcoal added to it, which is an absorber of toxins in the intestines. They are more like finishing salts, so add a pinch at the end when serving the dish. Mostly this dish in incredibly easy to prepare. Enjoy with family and friends for any occasion you need a hardy satisfying meal.

2 pounds of chuck roast beef

4 small onions. 

2 large tomatoes

2 zucchinis

1 1/2 cup of small potatoes, cut in cubes

1 cup of chopped kalamata and green olives 

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

2/3 cup of red wine

1 cup of water

1 tablespoon of garlic 

1 table spoon oregano

1 tablespoon of cumin 

1/2 tablespoon of lemon pepper 

1 tablespoon on agave 

1 tablespoon of sea salt  

 




















 This dish can be cooked in a conventional oven inside a casserole pan with cover for 2.5-3 hours at 375 degrees, or in a crock pot 4.5- 5 hours on high. Add all ingredients  to meat in cooking container, except  for the fresh basil and zucchini. These will be added in last hour of cooking the dish. I do find, I prefer the crock pot as it will stew slowly over the hours and bring out complex flavors. Even though it is possible to leave a crock pot cooking without stirring the dish, I still like to give all items a turn half way through, for more even cooking. 

Serve in bowls, with a glass of red wine, and pieces of baguette to clean up plate in the end. 

 A toast to your health and mine!