Penny-Pinching Arugula Stuffed Eye Round
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Author Notes: When I hear the word "feast," I think of something luxurious. When push comes to shove, there's no better roast than Anne Seranne's Rib Roast of Beef, as put forth in Amanda's Essential New York Times Cookbook. Given the choice, that is what I would prepare for the extended family at every gathering. However, lacking the strength to continually pry the Spouse's fingers off the credit card, I usually have to settle for something a bit less extravagant. Enter the oft-maligned, oft-overcooked eye round. Skewered with sauteed arugula and bacon, studded with garlic, parsley and parmesan, cooked rare and sliced thin, it could even make you forget about a standing rib roast, especially when accompanied by several lovely bottles of cabernet. This recipe is adapted and expanded from an earlier one. - wssmom
Serves 10-12
- 1 boneless eye round of beef, about 6 pounds, or use two 3-pound roasts
- 12 slices bacon
- 1 1/2 medium shallots or small onions, chopped
- 3 handfuls arugula, to yield about 3 cups of cooked
- 9 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
- 2 ounces parmesan, shaved
- a small bunch of Italian flat-leaf parsley
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
- The day before cooking, salt the roast and return to the fridge, covered. An hour before starting, take the eye round out of the fridge and let come to room temperature. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 425 degrees.
- In a heavy skillet, cook the bacon and drain off almost all of the fat. Remove the bacon and chop. Saute the shallots until translucent, then toss in the arugula and cook, stirring, until wilted. Remove from the heat and mix in the chopped bacon.
- OK. Now, take your knife sharpening rod, and bore a hole straight through the middle of the eye round. If you don't have a knife rod, use some other device. Pack the arugula mix into the cavity, using your fingers, the end of a wooden spoon and/or the rod. Try not to let your imagination get the better of you during this step.
- Using a sharp paring knife, poke a bunch (20-30) of holes evenly distributed around the eye round, and insert a slice of garlic, a parsley leaf and a bit of the parmesan in each.
- Rub the roast with a tablespoon of olive oil, pepper thoroughly, and brown in a large, heavy, oven-proof skillet on all sides.
- Put the skillet in the oven, and roast until the thickest part of the roast reaches 120 degrees for rare, and remove, Let sit for 10-20 minutes before carving it nice and thin. Serve with your favorite potatoes and an in-season salad.
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Cheap Feast
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Holiday Roast
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over 1 year ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Love a round roast and yours is wonderful. The bacon and arugula are fabulous additions.
over 1 year ago wssmom
Thanks, Suzanne. I am becoming addicted to arugula!
over 1 year ago luvcookbooks
Meg is a trusted home cook.
So funny! I'm saving this, I don't have any imaginative recipes for round of beef.
over 1 year ago wssmom
Sorry about the delay in replying; I am not getting any notifications -- but thanks, belatedly!
over 1 year ago wssmom
Thanks, sexyLAMBCHOPx! It's different that the eye rounds I used to eat as a child, that's for sure!
over 1 year ago sexyLAMBCHOPx
Sounds delicious. My Mom used to make an Eye of Round roast that was okay. This economical roast must be tried out; love rare!
over 1 year ago Niknud
This does sound delicious. Would love to see some pictures if you've got them...hint hint.... Sounds like a winner to me!
over 1 year ago wssmom
If I could figure how to upload the photos, I would!!!.
over 1 year ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Yum! This sounds delicious. I love the arugula & bacon surprise in the middle of each slice.
over 1 year ago wssmom
Thanks Bevi! It also makes wonderful day-after sandwiches, if there's any left!
over 1 year ago Bevi
I'll bet this is beautiful all sliced up. Thanks for a great alternative that is easier on the plastic!