Ingredients

1 (4-pound) boneless Chuck pot roast, neatly tied
Salt and ground pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped carrots
1 cup finely chopped celery
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons thyme
4 cups beef stock
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoon butter, softened

Directions

Pat roast dry and season with

salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over moderately high heat until
hot but not smoking. Add the roast and brown on all sides, about 15 minutes total.
Transfer the roast to a plate and pour out all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan. Add
the onions, carrots, and celery to the pan and cook over moderate heat, stirring until
golden. Place the roast back in the pan along with the bay leaves, thyme, and enough of
the beef stock to come up 2/3 of the way up the beef. Bring the pot roast to a simmer on
top of the stove, skim, cover tightly, and set in the lower third of a 350 degree
preheated oven. Regulate heat so that the liquid remains at a gentle simmer for 2 1/2 to 3
hours, until the beef is tender. Turn the roast over several times during its braising.

Transfer roast to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes, covered with aluminum foil to
keep warm. Skim off any fat from the surface of the liquid. Strain the liquid. To thicken
the sauce slightly, bring the liquid to a boil. For each cup of liquid, stir together 1
tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon flour. Whisk the butter mixture into the liquid.
Simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened. Slice the pot roast and serve with the sauce
and boiled new potatoes.