Balsamic Glazed Roast Beef

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours
Total Time: 6-8 hours, 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the roast:
1 (3-4 pound boneless) chuck or round roast
1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper


For the glaze*:
1 1/2 cups cooking liquid (from the roast, strained)
2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
3-4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Place roast beef in a lightly greased slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, combine beef broth, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, honey, red pepper flakes and pepper. Pour over roast beef.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until beef is tender.
4. Remove roast from slow cooker and slice or shred. Cover and keep warm.
5. Remove 1 1/2 cups of liquid from the slow cooker and pour through a mesh strainer into a medium saucepan.
6. Stir together cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Whisk into saucepan, along with 3-4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
7. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. If desired, add additional water or cooking liquid for a thinner glaze.
8. *Pour glaze over beef and serve. I put the glaze in a gravy boat instead of pouring it over the beef. 

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

http://damndelicious.net/2013/11/02/slow-cooker-crockpot-honey-sesame-chicken/

I made this and served over jasmine rice. It can be served with any grain you want. It was very good. I made a second batch of the sauce and froze it in a ziploc bag so the next time, I just have to add chicken to the crock pot and walk away. 

Ingredients

1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 green onion, thinly sliced for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish


Instructions

1. 
   
2. In a large bowl, combine onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vegetable oil and red pepper.
3. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste. Place chicken thighs into a slow cooker. Add honey mixture and gently toss to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
4. Remove chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred the chicken before returning to the pot with the juices. Cover and keep warm for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.