Slow Cooker Chuck Roast Supreme ~ A Recipe

Picture this: You've been out all day, running errands and/or homeschooling.  It happened to be "one of those days" and you're finishing up school after conventionally-schooled children have returned home (not that I would know about those days or anything *ahem*).  It was a full-ish kind of day to say the least, and wouldn't it be nice if dinner would just appear on the table when it was needed?  Chuck roast to the rescue!

The way I see it, chuck roast was made for the crock pot.  I mean, when you get a nice, grass-fed roast, you don't need much to make the flavors pop, it's already pretty tasty.  Not to forget that it's usually on the cheaper side of the roasts department.  Let's hear it for chuck!  Here is a quick, GAPS-friendly, gluten-free recipe that can be started after breakfast with very little prep time.  It's aroma slowly envelopes the home throughout the day with a welcoming, enticing fragrance that is a blessing for hungry loved ones to come home to.  Once it's ready, you can fix it oh so many ways: on a bed of lettuce with grated cheese and creme fraiche as a meal-salad, use it instead of chicken in the easiest enchilada recipe, wrapped in a tortilla with beans as a hearty burrito, spooned atop a steaming baked potato, or thrown into a quesadilla to jazz things up.  Needless to say, leftovers are a joy because they can be turned into an altogether different dish than what was made the day before.  Cumin is included in this recipe not only for it's delicious flavor, but also because it's a potent stress-reliever and memory-booster (quite helpful after a long day).  Garlic and red pepper flakes boost immune function.  Always helpful.  Here's how it works:

Slow Cooker Chuck Supreme

• 1 chuck roast (or 7-bone roast), 3-5 pounds
• 1 jar of your favorite salsa
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 bell pepper (if in season, omit if not), chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

1. Rinse off meat and place in slow cooker.  Add remaining ingredients and mix.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
2. One hour before serving, use two forks to flake the meat by pulling it apart to bite-sized shreds.  Remove any clumps of fat and bones.  At this time, if you'd like to add beans to this recipe, do so now to warm them up.  Cover and let cook for the last hour.  Serve any way you'd like it (suggestions mentioned above).
3. Enjoy!

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I'm sharing this at Monday Mania, Real Food Wednesday, Fresh Bites Friday, Fight Back Friday, & Pennywise Platter.