Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich

by Aran

Ingredients:
1 5-lb rump roast
1 medium onion, diced
2 cups beef stock
1 Tbsp fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 bay leaf
1 tsp hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 to 6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 Tbsp fresh basil (optional)
Italian bread or rolls
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 300°F (160°C). Dry the roast, season it with salt and pepper, and place it on a rack in a roasting pan. Strew the onion over the top of the roast and put the pan in the oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat reads 140°F (60°C). Remove the roast to a platter or cutting board, cover loosely with aluminium foil, and let rest for a half hour.
Leave the roasting juices in the roasting pan and add all the other ingredients except the bread. On the top of the stove, heat and simmer the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, adding any juices that collect from the resting beef.
Slice the beef thinly, and arrange the slices in a dish. Strain the juice mixture, pour it over the beef, and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours.
Heat the roast beef and sauce thoroughly. Put the sliced beef on Italian bread or rolls and spoon some of the sauce on top or serve it alongside for dipping.
Some recipes recommend adding grilled green pepper slices to the sandwich or a giardinera relish (made from pickled Greek peppers, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, celery, turnips, red peppers, olives and onions).