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  2. Herb-Crusted Beef Roast with Pistachio-Leek Pesto

Herb-Crusted Beef Roast with Pistachio-Leek Pesto

Round Roast with a pistachio-leek pesto becomes an affordable meal for weeknight or a special occasion.

Cook Mode

Ingredients:

  • 1 beef Top Round Roast (3 to 4 pounds)
  • 1 cup sliced leeks, white and light green parts only (about 1 leek)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon freshly gound black pepper
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped shallots
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, toasted, divided
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Cooking:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F . Heat medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot; coat with cooking spray. Add leeks; cook 10 to 15 minutes until leeks are caramelized, stirring often. Set aside to cool.

    Season roast with 1-3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
  2. To prepare pesto, add leeks, basil, thyme, parsley, shallots, garlic and 1/4 cup pistachios to food processor container. Cover; process until smooth, scraping sides as needed. While food processor is running, add oil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; process until blended, about 1 minute. Reserve 1/4 cup pesto mixture; cover and set aside. Add balsamic vinegar to food processor. Cover; process until smooth. Cover and set aside.
  3. Spread reserved 1/4 cup pesto over seasoned roast. Place roast, fat-side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 325°F oven 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours for medium rare doneness.
  4. Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare doneness. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare.)
  5. Carve roast into slices; top with pesto and remaining 1/4 cup pistachios, as desired.

Nutrition Information

Safe Handling Tips

Beef Checkoff

Bourbon Blueberry & Brie Bacon Cheeseburger

Brian Capps of Louisville, KY, has been crowned the 2021 Derby Burger Champion in the 10th Annual Derby Burger Challenge. Capps’ burger, made with 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef is packed with flavor. The patty is topped with brie, thick-cut bacon, a blueberry bourbon sauce and arugula - all on a brioche bun.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef
  • 4 Slices Bacon, thick sliced
  • 1/4 inch Sliced Brie Cheese, rind removed
  • 1 pint Fresh Blueberries
  • 1 Lemon, halved
  • 1/8 cup White Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Bourbon
  • 2 Brioche Buns
  • 2 Tbsp. Salted Butter
  • Arugula 
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • ¼ tsp. Black Pepper

Recipe

1. Form Two Patties and Set Aside.

2. Preheat your skillet over medium high heat. Add butter, and sliced buns. Cook until golden brown, set aside.

3. Salt and pepper both sides of the burger patty, cook over medium high heat. Cook until internal temperature of 160°F (USDA recommended), add cheese before taking off heat until melted.

4. Add blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a small pot. Cook on medium to low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add your slurry mixture to thicken blueberry sauce. Remove mixture from heat and stir in your bourbon.

5. Build your burger. Place your burger patty with melted cheese, cooked bacon, blueberry sauce on the bottom bun. Top the burger with arugula and add the top bun.

6. Enjoy!

Find more delicious recipes and other ways to be involved in the Derby Burger Challenge HERE!