In a medium to large baking pan/skillet add the butter, oil, bay leaf and rosemary, cook on medium low until the butter is melted.
Dredge the beef in about 2-3 tablespoons of flour then add it to the pan, turning it a few times to brown, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then pour ½ cup of the milk over the meat and heat on medium/high until the milk is very hot, add the remaining milk, then cover and cook on low for approximately one hour. Once the meat is cooked remove the meat to a clean plate.
From the pan remove the bay leaf and rosemary sprig, sift in the remaining flour into the pan, whisking continuously over medium heat until thickened, (if you find the sauce is lumpy then blend until creamy). Serve over the sliced beef and potatoes of choice
FOR THE ROASTED POTATOES
Peel and quarter the potatoes, rinse and towel dry, place in a bowl toss with the olive oil, chopped rosemary, oregano and salt. Place in a large baking pan and roast in the pre-heated oven 400F (200C) oven and bake for approximately 40-60 minutes. I like to broil them for a few minutes so they brown even more if necessary. Serve with the Beef in Milk Sauce.
Notes
If you find the sauce too lumpy then either use a hand blender or a regular blender to make it smooth. For roasts of beef, the best cuts are rib (on the bone or boned and rolled), sirloin, top rump and fillet. Brisket & topside are also good for pot roasts, and stewing, braising steak are good for stews and casseroles. The bottom round roast is a lean cut from the round primal. It is one of the best cuts for roast beef, because it is best when prepared on low heat and cooked slow, it has the maximum tenderness and flavour.If using a meat thermometer it should read 104F (40C) for rare, although it will rise to 129-133F (54-56C) or medium-rare, while it sits, it will read 118F (48C) for medium rare, sitting it will rise to 149F (65C). If you don’t have a meat thermometer then you can check the meat by piercing it with a skewer. The juices should run red for rare, pink for medium and clear for well-done. Although to tell the truth for this recipe I preferred the meat to be at least medium to well done.Any leftover roast should be stored in an airtight container, the sauce can either be stored with the meat or in an airtight container of its own. It will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can make some delicious Italian beef sandwiches with the leftovers using Italian bread or buns.