Polynesian Roast Beef

Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, a boy from Louisiana, seemed like an unlikely candidate who launched a cultural phenomenon, but he did.

Born in 1907, he left home 19 years later and travelled the world. Many of his stops were at islands in the South Pacific. Returning home he first became a bootlegger during Prohibition, but in the early 1930s moved to Hollywood, California. There he opened a restaurant and bar that would quickly become world famous.

Serving Cantonese style dishes, the food was a departure from 1930’s American food. But while the food was interesting, what really made it famous was the drinks and the decor. Tiki. Polynesian. South Pacific. Flaming torches. Tropical drinks. The restaurant was Don the Beachcomer’s. The restaurant became so famous that Ernest even changed his name to match the restaurant: Donn Beachcomer (and later Donn Beach).

This roast evokes the flavors of the islands through a combination of pineapple and soy.

A few ingredients here.

Add the juice from the pineapple into the rest of the liquid.

Doesn’t that look great?

Donn would be proud.

Polynesian Roast Beef

Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 420 min

Ingredients:

1 beef top round roast (3-1/4 pounds)
2 tablespoons browning sauce, optional
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, sliced
1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened sliced pineapple
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 medium green pepper, sliced

Directions:

1. Cut roast in half; brush with browning sauce if desired. Combine the flour, salt and pepper; rub over meat. Place onion in a 3-qt. slow cooker; top with roast.

2. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; refrigerate the pineapple. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch and ginger; whisk in the broth, soy sauce, garlic and reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Pour over meat. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

3. Add pineapple and green pepper. Cook 1 hour longer or until meat is tender. Yield: 10-11 servings.

Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/polynesian-roast-beef