As American cities filled up in the early part of the twentieth century, new urbanites learned to make the most of small apartment kitchens by using recipes that yielded a lot of food with little bother. Roast beef with vegetables filled the bill. Cattle, raised on enormous western ranches, and beef were moved efficiently around the country on the transcontinental railroad system, so the meat was cheap and plentiful. A spice rub and cilantro make this roast especially appealing.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place first 3 ingredients in heavy small plastic bag. Using meat mallet or rolling pin, crush spices. Transfer crushed spices to small bowl; mix in salt, ginger and cayenne.
Step 2
Toss potatoes, carrots and 3 tablespoons oil in large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread vegetables in large roasting pan. Roast 30 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, using tip of knife, make several slits in roast; insert garlic into slits. Brush roast with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Rub spice mixture over roast.
Step 4
Push vegetables to sides of pan, leaving space in center. Place roast in center of pan. Roast until meat thermometer inserted into center of meat registers 125°F for medium-rare, about 1 hour. Transfer roast to platter. Tent with foil. Increase oven temperature to 450°F. Spread vegetables in pan; continue roasting until vegetables are tender and brown, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Step 5
Surround roast with vegetables. Cut roast into thin slices and serve.
