Swiss Steak with Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

Quantities are for 4 servings.

• 1 3/4 lb Beef top round steak
• 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 each Yellow onion, sliced
• 1 each Bell peppers (assorted colors)
• 3 each Carrots
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced tomatoes, canned
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 lb Russet potatoes
• 3 tbsp Butter
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 325°F. Cut the steak into 4 serving-size pieces and pound each to about 1/2 inch thick with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan (this is what makes the braise tender). Mix the flour with 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper on a plate, and press each piece into it to coat both sides, shaking off the excess. Discard any leftover flour, which has touched raw beef, and wash your hands and board.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large Dutch oven or deep oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the steak 3-4 minutes per side, in batches so the pan isn't crowded, and move the pieces to a plate (they go back in the pot, so no need to wash it).
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot, then cook the onion, bell pepper, and the rinsed, sliced carrots 5-6 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic for 30 seconds, then pour in the tomatoes with their juice, the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, scraping up the browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
4. Return the steak and any juices to the pot and spoon the sauce over it. Cover and braise in the oven about 1 1/2 hours, until the beef is fork-tender. (Round steak is a tough cut, so it needs this long, well past the point where it's safe to eat.)
5. About 30 minutes before the steak is done, peel and cube the potatoes, cover with cold salted water, and boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, then mash with the butter and milk, and season with the remaining salt and pepper.
6. If the sauce looks thin, simmer it uncovered on the stove 5 minutes. Serve the steak and sauce over the mashed potatoes.