Chicago-style Italian Beef Sandwiches

Drew and I recently returned from a quick weekend trip to Chicago. You see, one thing I really enjoy about my job is the perks from the affiliates I work with. They're always willing to spoil you. Well, this was no exception. So thanks to a special contact who left us tickets at the courtesy window for a Saturday game of Cubs vs Cardinals!

After picking up our tickets, we went to check the seating chart to see where we were...

Holy cow! Four rows behind first base! That meant we could almost reach out and touch two of the best first basemen in the MLB. Excellent!

This isn't my video, but it shows the walk-off homer in the 11th inning that won the game! GO CUBS GO! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhgKo2hRJ7Q :)

So after a wild, wild weekend in Chicago it was finally time to come home and face another work week. But my heart (and stomach!) were still in the Windy City. So I decided to bring Chicago to us instead.

Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups of water



• 3 beef bouillon cubes



• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper



• 1 tsp onion powder



• 1 tsp garlic powder



• 1 tsp Italian seasonings (this is just a generic Italian pre-mixed seasoning shake from the store)



• 1 bay leaf



• 1 (.7 ounce) package of dry Italian-style salad dressing mix



• 2-3 lbs rump roast



• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips



• 1/2 onion, sliced into strips



• 2 TBSP butter

Directions:

• Combine water, bouillon cubes, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dry dressing mix, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf in a saucepan. Stir and bring to a boil until bouillon cubes are disolved.



• Place the roast in your crock pot, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat



• Cover and cook on low for 8 hours



• Remove bay leaf and cut up/shred meat



• In a skillet, melt 2 TBSP butter



• Add sliced red bell pepper and onions and saute until tender. Add a few shakes of the Italian seasoning too



• On a hoagie bun, add meat and top with bell pepper and onion.

This was SO GOOD. The flavor was exceptional and it was a sandwich hearty enough to satisfy my husband's appetite. Serve with homemade fries and you'll feel like you're enjoying lunch in Wrigleyville.

And this is a horrible photo because it came off of my phone... but my husband just looks so darn cute I had to add it: