I have a cookbook that says to brown your roast first on all sides in a pot before putting it into the crock pot. I have even put flour on it. It gives it a nice coloring and I think it cooks better as a result. Yes, beef chuck is great for the slow-cookers. I generally will buy a buyone getone free deal. I will use one whole beef chuck and put it in the slow cooker, later divide it up again into a few more meals and freeze if necessary. On the second day, I use a portion of the beef for a hearty vegetable soup by shredding it. I also shred another portion and freeze it later to make a dish where I saute green peppers, onions, garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. I add a small can of tomato sauce, a small amount of cooking wine, can of pimentos with their juice (small), diced potatoes, olives and the shredded pork and let it cook for about 30 minutes. You can also slice the beef for sandwiches for lunch. If you do this, it becomes very economincal. You can also add the shredded beef to tortillas with sour cream and any toppings that you like.
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