Sauerbraten
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) dry red wine
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) red wine vinegar
- 2 cups (475 ml) cold water
- 1 medium-sized onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 5 black peppercorns and 4 whole juniper berries coarsely crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 2 small bay leaves
- 4 lbs (1.8 kg). boneless beef roast, preferably top or bottom round or rump, trimmed of fat 3 tbsp (45 ml) lard
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) finely chopped onions
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) finely chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) finely chopped celery
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) flour
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) water
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) gingersnap crumbs
- In a 2 quarts (1900 ml) to 3 quarts (2850 ml) saucepan, combine the wine, vinegar, water, sliced onion, crushed peppercorns and juniper berries, and bay leaves.
- Bring this marinade to a boil over high heat, then remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Place the beef in a deep crock or a deep stainless-steel or enameled pot just large enough to hold it comfortably and pour the marinade over it.
- The marinade should come at least halfway up the sides of the meat; if necessary, add more wine.
- Turn the meat in the marinade to moisten it on all sides.
- Then cover the pan tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days, turning the meat over at least twice a day.
- Remove the meat from the marinade and pat it completely dry with paper towels.
- Strain the marinade through a fine sieve set over a bowl and reserve the liquid.
- Discard the spices and onions.
- In a heavy 5 quarts (4725 ml) flameproof casserole, melt the lard over high heat until it begins to splutter.
- Add the meat and brown it on all sides, turning it frequently and regulating the heat so that it browns deeply and evenly without burning.
- This should take about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the meat to a platter and pour off and discard all but about 2 tbsp (30 ml) of the fat from the casserole and cook them over moderate heat, stirring frequently, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they are soft and light brown.
- Sprinkle 2 tbsp (30 ml) of flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 or 3 minutes longer, or until the flour begins to color.
- Pour 2 cups (475 ml) of the reserved marinade and 1/2 cup (125 ml) of water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Return the meat to the casserole.
- Cover tightly and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, or until the meat shows no resistance when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.
- Transfer the meat to a heated platter and cover it with aluminum foil to keep it warm while you make the sauce.
- Pour the liquid left in the casserole into a large measuring cup and skim the fat from the surface.
- You will need 2-1/2 cups (600 ml) of liquid for the sauce.
- If you have more, boil it briskly over high heat until it is reduced to that amount; if you have less, add some of the reserved marinade.
- Combine the liquid and the gingersnap crumbs in a small saucepan, and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.
- The crumbs will disintegrate in the sauce and thicken it slightly.
- Strain the sauce through a fine sieve, pressing down hard with a wooden spoon to force as much of the vegetables and crumbs through as possible.
- Return the sauce to the pan, taste for seasoning and let it simmer over a low heat until ready to serve.
- To serve, carve the meat into 1/4 inch slices and arrange the slices attractively in overlapping layers on a heated platter.
- Moisten the slices with a few tbsp of the sauce and pass the remaining sauce separately in a sauceboat.
- Traditionally, sauerbraten is served with dumplings or boiled potatoes and red cabbage.
- If you prefer, you may cook the sauerbraten in the oven rather than on top of the stove.
- Bring the casserole to a boil over high heat, cover tightly and cook in a preheated 350 degree (175 C.) oven for about 2 hours.
red wine, red wine vinegar, cold water, onion, black, bay leaves, boneless beef roast, onions, carrots, celery, flour, water, crumbs
Taken from online-cookbook.com/goto/cook/rpage/001420 (may not work)