Soak shiitake mushrooms in boiling water for 30 minutes to plump. Strain through a sieve or colander reserving liquid. Pat mushrooms lightly to dry and slice. Set aside.

Add oil and preheat frying pan. Brown your roast over med-high heat until all sides on roast are brown. Place into your crockpot.

In same pan with oil and roast drippings saute your shallots and cook until soft. Add garlic, ginger, a pinch of salt and pepper and reserved plump mushrooms. Stir and cook 1 minute, then add fresh mushrooms and cook one more minute. Add your vodka and cook another minute. Finally add reserved mushroom soaking liquid and beef broth, bringing to a boil.

Pour broth over roast in crockpot and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4-5 hours. Once roast is tender transfer to a plate and using a slotted spoon, remove solids from cooking liquid and arrange around roast. Cover with foil to keep warm.

Almost done....in a pan over medium heat, bring cooking liquid (you get this from the crockpot) to a boil. Add soy sauce (careful here, soy sauce can be salty), oyster sauce and hoisin sauce. Bring to a boil and cook approx. 5 minutes to reduce and concentrate flavours. Stir in cornstarch mixture and cook a minute or two until it thickens. Serve gravy along side roast.