Roast Beef Holiday Party Sandwiches: Serves 16

Serve something easy and elegant on your holiday party buffet. Lean
roast beef is slow cooked with 20 garlic cloves and served in mini
rolls au jus, or with a Dijon-balsamic jam-like spread. Delicious
finger food for your holiday gatherings.

20 cloves garlic, peeled
2 pounds beef eye of round roast
2 cups beef broth
1 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup blackberry jam
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
16 mini dinner rolls, cut into halves

Place garlic, beef roast, beef broth, water, rosemary, thyme, and
pepper in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours (or on
high for 4 to 5 hours), or until beef is tender. Remove beef, cover
with foil, and let stand 15 minutes prior to carving. Place remaining
liquid in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Let
juices simmer without stirring for 5 to 10 minutes, until slightly
reduced. Pour into a decorative bowl with a ladle for serving and
small serving cups on the side. For an alternative to dipping in the
juices, prepare a Dijon-balsamic spread for the sandwiches. Stir
together Dijon mustard, blackberry jam, and balsamic vinegar in a
medium-size decorative bowl. Thinly slice the roast and arrange on a
decorative platter. Place rolls in a pretty basket. Guests can choose
to dip their sandwich---roast beef sandwich au jus---or enjoy with the
Dijon-balsamic spread.