With
a small, sharp knife, make 30 (1 1/2-inch deep) slits around
the outside of the roast. Insert the half cloves of garlic
into the slits. Rub the roast with 1 tablespoon of the Essence,
1 teaspoon of the black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of the salt.
Preheat
the oven to 400 degrees F.
Heat
the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the roast and sear on all sides, about 4 minutes per
side. Remove from the pan. Deglaze the pan with the red
wine, scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan
with a wooden spoon. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the
tomato paste and 1 cup of water. Add the tomato paste mixture
to the red wine and cook for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in a
large roasting pan or Dutch oven, alternate the carrots
and celery flat on the bottom of the pot. Place the bay
leaves on the vegetables. Scatter the onions, potatoes,
and garlic over the bottom. Place the roast on top of the
vegetables. Add the red wine mixture and the stock. Cover
the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for
1 1/2 hours.
Uncover
the pot roast, baste with the pan juices, and lower the
heat to 350 degrees F. Cover the roast and continue cooking
until the meat is completely tender and begins to fall apart,
2 to 2 1/2 hours, uncovering and basting each hour. Remove
from the oven, uncover, and baste. Let rest for 15 minutes
before carving. Serve each portion of the carved roast with
onion quarters, new potatoes, 1 carrot, and 1 piece of celery.
Spoon the pan juices over the meat and vegetables, and serve.
Essense:
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight
jar or container. Yield: about 2/3 cup Recipe from "New
New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch.
Published by William and Morrow, 1993.