Swiss Steak with Tomato Gravy

I LOVE  Swiss Steak.... there are many different versions of it and different recipes for it out there. My Mother made a completely different kind of Swiss steak with brown gravy which will forever be one of my favorite comfort foods, while my mother in law made a delicious version with steak and Stewed tomatoes. I was watching Cook's Country on our PBS station a while back and they made this  recipe using a roast that they cut into steak size pieces, and cooked in the oven. I couldn't find the exact roast that they used in their recipe at my local grocery store but I found a good sized cheaper roast and cut that into steak size pieces. This recipe turned out delicious with enough of the gravy to go on creamy mashed potatoes!! YUMMO!!!! Serve this with some steamed veggies for your Valentine this week and you've got an awesome dinner! The steak is delectably tender and rates right up there with any expensive steak dinner that you could make or get in a restaurant for that matter.  Enjoy!

Swiss Steak with Tomato Gravy
Adapted From Cook's Country
Serves 6 to 8
**NOTE: Top blade-roast may also be labeled chuck roast first cut, top chuck roast, flat iron roast, or simply blade roast. Use low-sodium chicken broth or the gravy will be too salty.

Ingredients
1 (3 1/2-to 4-pound) boneless top blade roast (see note**) Any cheaper cut roast will do...
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, halved and sliced thin
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1- 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, rinsed, patted dry, and minced (I didn't rinse)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:
1. BUTCHER ROAST Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Following photos below, cut roast crosswise into quarters and remove line of gristle to yield 8 steaks. (Like I said, I couldn't find the exact roast but I did cut mine like they did below, I just didn't have a line of gristle that I was trying to get rid of).
2. BROWN STEAKS Pat steaks dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat just until smoking. Brown 4 steaks, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining oil and steaks.
3. ADD AROMATICS Add onion to empty pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, tomato paste, and flour and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in diced tomatoes and broth and bring to boil.
4. BRAISE STEAKS Return steaks and any accumulated juices to pan. Transfer to oven and braise, covered, until steaks are fork-tender, about 2 hours. (I braised mine in a 275 degree oven for 3 hours while I was at church! Turned out great!)
Transfer steaks to platter, tent with foil, and let rest 5 minutes. Skim fat from sauce. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and parsley heat until just beginning to bubble. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over steaks. Serve.

How to Butcher a Blade Roast:
Top blade roast, a shoulder cut with great flavor, has a pesky line of gristle that runs horizontally through the center. Follow these simple steps to remove it and cut perfect Swiss steaks.
1. Place roast on cutting board and cut crosswise into four even pieces.

2. One piece at a time, turn meat on its side to expose the line of gristle that runs through its center.

3. Remove by slicing through meat on either side of gristle to yield two "steaks." Repeat with remaining pieces of blade roast to yield a total of eight steaks.