Slow-Cooker Italian Beef Extraordinaire

A fabulous scent will fill your house when you leave this Italian beef cooking on the counter all day--easy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 3-5 quart slow cooker required
• 3 lb bottom round roast, cut away any fat
• 8-10 oz beef broth
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup diced whoite onion
• 1/8 cup minced garlic
• 3 medium pepperoncini diced (de-seed to remove spice, optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded or crumbled bacon pieces
• 1/2 Tbsp seasoning salt or 3 tsp iodized salt
• 2 Tbsp ground oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• Ground parsley
• Shredded Swiss or mozzarella cheeses
• 1 pkg (6) sesame seed hoagie buns

Directions:

In slow cooker on medium heat, place water, broth, onion, garlic, peppers, bacon, salt, oregano and basil and stir well. Score meat several times about 2 inches apart half way down roast and place in crock pot. Baste meat with broth and vegetables. Cover and let simmer 8 hours. Remove lid and stir allowing the meat to pull and shred apart. If still not tender enough, you may cook an additional hour, but this is generally not needed. T Turn cooker off and strain most of the juices into a small bowl or sauce pan and set aside, leaving some juices and the Italian beef in the slow cooker to retain moisture. Prepare sandwiches by placing portions of the pulled beef into a toasted hoagie bun. Top with shredded cheese of your choice and lightly sprinkle with parsley flakes. You can also use the strained juice as an au jus sauce to dip the sandwich.

Number of Servings: 6

Notes from the Cook: Any remaining amounts can be frozen for later use.