Recipes inspired by Musicals - Damn Yankees

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Andrew’s favorite musical is one we saw in New York City in 1994, on a trip with our dear friends Garth and Colleen Jay.  As soon as Andrew heard Damn Yankees was playing on Broadway, we knew we’d get tickets. It had an amazing cast, starring Bebe Neuwirth as Lola and Victor Garber as Mr. Applegate, with fun musical numbers that include “You Gotta Have Heart” and “Two Lost Souls”.

In the show, Joe Boyd roots for the Washington Senators who always lose to the New York Yankees. He says he’d sell his soul “for one long ball hitter”, and Mr. Applegate (aka the devil) appears, to grant him that wish.  Joe Boyd turns into the young phenom Joe Hardy, who is poised to take the Senators to the World Series.  Is he successful?   That wasn’t even the biggest question posed in the musical, as Joe tries to break his contract so he can win back his soul and return to his beloved wife Meg.

Despite optimistic pre-season predictions, our hometown Blue Jays are once again trailing those Yankees in the standings.  However, I won’t be making any rash promises to Mr. Applegate or any other salesman in return for one long ball hitter.

This Yankee pot roast was a winner.  It swung for the fences and was a real home run with my family.  Best of all, I’ve included the recipe below, so you won’t have to sell your soul to make it.


Yankee Pot Roast
(adapted from From Away)

1/3 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
1 3/4 pound beef chuck roast
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp (about 2 branches) fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
3/4 cup water
14 ounces diced tomatoes (with juice)
3 medium potatoes, cut in cubes
3 carrots, cut in 1-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut in 1-inch pieces

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large saucepan, brown bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon begins to crisp.  Transfer bacon to drain on paper towels.

Pat beef dry, season with salt and pepper, and add to saucepan.  Increase heat to medium-high and turn to brown meat on all sides.  Transfer to a roasting pan.

Reduce heat to medium, add 2 Tbsp butter to pan, and add onion.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions turn translucent (about 6 minutes).

Add garlic and rosemary, and cook about 2 minutes.  Add wine, water and bay leaves, and cook about 1 minute, while scraping brown bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

Add tomatoes and mix to combine.  Pour over beef in the roasting pan.  Cover, transfer to oven, and cook until beef is almost tender, about 3 hours.

Remove from oven and remove bay leaves.  Add bacon, potatoes, carrots and celery around the roast.  Cook until vegetables are tender, about an hour more.  Remove beef from pot and let sit 15 minutes, then slice against the grain.


30 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

I don't eat meat, but my husband does. He's always looking for a good pot roast recipe. Thanks.

Barbara said...

Let's hope Lola isn't in the locker room! :)
Looks like a marvelous recipe, Beth.

Valerie Gamine said...

I never knew the plot of Damn Yankees - for some reason I had visions of misbehaving candles. ;) (The real version sounds much more interesting!)

This pot roast looks like the perfect, cosy dish for a still-too-chilly weekend!

Catherine said...

Dear Beth, I love this musical too. I never saw it on Broadway, but I have watched the movie many times. I love these movies. You wind up humming forever to these beautiful songs.

The pot roast looks wonderful. I haven't made one in ages. It is time. Blessings dear friend. Catherine xo

Gloria Baker said...

Look wonderful Beth!!

Belinda said...

Damn those Yankees, indeed. Ooo - that looks fall of the bone awesome!

Kitchen Riffs said...

That's a fun musical! I haven't seen it in ages, so thanks for the plot recap so I could refresh my memory. And this pot roast is perfect for the musical! Lots of oomph and big flavor. Good stuff - thanks.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I think this was one of the first musicals Katie and I saw together. LOVE pot roast and yours looks perfect. The red wine and fresh rosemary make it stand out above the rest :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, your pot roast looks succulent and tender!

Penny said...

Love the history of the musical. And your pot roast is wonderful.

Claudia said...

Yeah! Perfect meal! Delicious and Yankee all the way. I am a New Yorker - grew up by Shea Stadium but spent more time in Yankee Stadium. Even still conflicted with our Twins (the former Washington Senators) when they play the Yankees. I always wanted to be in the male chorus and sing "You Gotta Have Heart."

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, what a nice recipe - pot roast is such a wonderful dish to prepare and this recipe with that very catchy name sounds fabulous!
A very nice post to look at aon a Monday morning!

Anonymous said...

What is not to love about Yankee pot roast? Or so says this Yankee, anyway. :) Sounds delish!

grace said...

it's ingrained in my brain to be wary of anything involving yankees, but this is too good to resist. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Those Jays can't seem to put it all together - although the missing piece seems to be pitching so far!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Mmm this looks so tasty, what a gorgeous pot roast!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Monet said...

I've never heard of this musical before. I wish I could go see it! And there is nothing like a good pot roast. So hearty and so comforting. Thanks for sharing, sweet friend!

Kathy said...

I haven’t made a pot roast in such a long time! You have just inspired me! It looks delicious!!
I always loved Damm Yankees…but only saw the movie. It had to be great on Broadway, especially with Bebe Neuwirth!

Julie said...

Nothing better than a lovely pot roast! I love the flavors in this recipe.

Katerina said...

It is a pure, family, honest pot roast! Perfect to feed hungry family memmbers on a Sunday lunch!

Unknown said...

Wow, that's a gorgeous looking pot roast! I used to live in NYC, but I only went to a few Broadways shows - too expensive. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! :-)

Vi said...

Sounds like a fun play! Bacon and red wine in pot roast...yes please!

Anonymous said...

I do remember Damn Yankees with warmth and joy. I bet your roast also brings warmth and joy.

Cooking Quidnunc said...

A lovely pot roast! I love making a meal like this on Sunday.

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Wow, I totally don't know that musical. Will have to look it up.

Joanne said...

Damn Yankees is actually one that I've never seen! Maybe they'll do a revival. Love the comfort factor of this dish!

Caroline Taylor said...

I love the sound of this, never seen Damn Yankees!

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

I saw Damn Yankees in the theatre in Boston growing up + loved it! And I bet I'd love this delicious-looking pot roast just as much - YUM!

Unknown said...

Nothing like a Yankee pot roast-one of my favorite comfort foods!
The recipe sounds just perfect ;-)

Cindy said...

What a fun play and what a delicious looking meal. This would be a home run at my house. We do know plenty about home runs. Our youngest song played college baseball for 2 years until a back injury changed his direction. It was a good ride but there is life after baseball. Hubby and I miss BB more than our son does!

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