BBQ Beef Sandwich With Blue Cheese Coleslaw

This is the recipe for anyone who loves the taste of beef and blue cheese like I do.
Use just a teeny bit of sauce – great with the dual mustards –on the cabbage and slather on an mega-dose of blue cheese.

I know it looks complicated but it is definitely worth the extra effort.

Bon Appetit!

Adapted from Cook's Country 

For the Beef:

1 boneless beef chuck-eye roast (about 4 – 5 pounds)

1 tablespoon table salt (iodized salt)
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups wood chips, soaked for 15 minutes
6 soft hamburger buns

For the Sauce:

1 onion, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/4 cups ketchup
3/4 cup strong brewed coffee
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Coleslaw:

1/2 small head green cabbage, finely shredded

1/2 small head purple cabbage, finely shredded
3 large carrots, peeled and grated
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup (about 3 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup parsley, coarsely chopped

Prepare the Beef: In a small bowl, make a rub by combining the salt, pepper and cayenne.  Slice the roast into 4 equal sized pieces and remove any excess fat or gristle.Rub the meat on all sides with the salt mixture then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap.  Place the meat on a plate and allow to sit overnight in the refrigerator.

Smoke the Beef: Unwrap the beef and place them in a single layer in a large disposable aluminum roasting pan.  Neatly wrap the soaked wood chips in a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and poke a few holes in it to allow smoke to escape.  Open the bottom vent of the grill and light 50 coals in a chimney starter.  When the coals are covered in a fine gray ash pour them in a single pile on only one side of the grill.  Place the foil packet directly on top of the hot coals and place the lid on the grill.  Set the cooking grate in place and adjust the vents on the lid of the grill until they are halfway open.  When the wood chips begin to smoke heavily (after about 5 minutes) place the roasting pan on the side of the grill opposite the coals.  Place the lid back on the grill with the vent holes directly over the beef and allow to smoke/roast for about 2 hours, until aromatic and deep red in color.

Braise/Roast the Beef: Preheat the oven to 300° F and adjust rack to the lower-middle position.  Remove the roasting pan from the grill and turn each piece of beef over.  Cover the pan tightly with foil and place in the oven and bake until the meat is fork tender, about 2-3 hours.  Remove the beef from the pan, tent it loosely with foil and allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes.  While the meat is resting, pour off the pan drippings into a gravy separator.  Reserve 2 tablespoons of the separated fat and strain the remaining juices, reserving 1/2 cup of liquid.

Meanwhile, make the Blue Cheese Coleslaw: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, both mustards, vinegar, celery salt, Kosher salt and pepper.  Pour enough of the mayonnaise dressing over the shredded cabbages and grated carrots to moisten them.  Add in the crumbled blue cheese and chopped parsley and toss well to combine.  Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to combine.

Make the Barbecue Sauce: Combine the onion and reserved fat in a saucepan over medium heat.  Cook, stirring occasionally until the onion has softened, about 10 minutes.  Add the minced garlic and chili powder and cook, stirring constantly until well combined and aromatic, about 30 seconds.  Stir in remaining sauce ingredients and reserved juices and simmer until thickened, about 15-20 minutes.  Allow the sauce to cool slightly before straining the sauce if you prefer a velvety texture.

Assemble the Sandwiches: Split and lightly toast each hamburger bun.  Using 2 forks, pull the beef apart into shreds, discarding any excess fat or gristle.  In a saucepan set over low heat, toss the beef with enough barbecue sauce to moisten the meat well.  When heated through, place the sauced beef on top of the bottom half of each bun.  Top the beef with some of the blue cheese coleslaw, add the top half of the bun and serve immediately.