I have made what some call "Italian beef". It was rump roast, in a covered roaster, then a couple of cups of dry red wine, a can of beef broth and sometimes a jar of pepperoncini with the juice, sometimes just lots of oregano and garlic and 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar and a couple of dashes of Worcestershire. Cook the meat well done but not falling apart. Refrigertae in the juice, when cold, slice thin ( I don't have a slicer either, I use a knife!) and warmed up in the juice.
Linda C

Kari - This is a recipe that was posted on these forums awhile ago. It's delicious. It might be something you can work with.

CROCKPOT FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES
2 cups water
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 whole peppercorns
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp garlic powder (had none so used 1 minced garlic clove)
3 lb boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed
8 French or sourdough rolls, split
Combine water, soy sauce, peppercorns, rosemay, thym & garlic in a slow cooker, stirring until wel blended. Place rost in cooker & cover.
Cook on high for 5-6 hours or until beef is tender. Remove meat from broth & shred with a fork. Serve beef on rolls. Pour broth in small bowls for dipping.~~ Good topped with Swiss cheese or sauteed onions, peppers or both. I like mustard on the rolls, too.~~
Posted by Ginger St. Thomas

seagrass

This is Ginger St. Thomas' "Italian Beef" that we really like:
ITALIAN BEEF
One 3-4 lb roast beef (rump roast or sirloin tip)
1 jar pepperochini peppers, juice & all
1 can beer
1 can beef bouillon
Combine all ingredients in a large crockpot. Cook on high 30 minutes; reduce heat to low. Cook until beef is tender. For supper, start cooking before work. If you want it for luch cook at bedtime.)
Remove meat from juices, slice thinly & return to pot. Serve on hoagie buns & dip sandwiches in juice.~~

Thanks so much for the recipes.

lindac - I bet yours is most like my in-laws. We do have a few people who cannot eat spicy food so I would probably leave out the pepperoncini.

roselin32- I made that Italian beef one time and it was delicious but not very much like my in-laws.

seagrass - that sounds good and easy. I'm going to talk to DH about the slicing versus shredding issue.

Sliced seems nicer for a party . . . but I know I'm going to be doing the slicing because DH slices too thickly! But I could see how it could be cooked and sliced before church and it would be just fine when we get home.

Time to think about it.

Kari

If you chill iot before slicing, it will slice easier and the slices will stay neater.
Linda C

Have you tried slicing with an electric knife?