Rhineland Sauerbraten Food

RHINELAND-STYLE SAUERBRATEN WITH RAISIN GRAVY

Steps:

• For the marinade: Bring all ingredients to a fairly rapid boil in an uncovered medium-size heavy saucepan over moderate heat and cook 5 minutes.
• For the sauerbraten: Place the beef in a large, heatproof, nonmetallic bowl. Pour in the hot marinade and cool to room temperature. Add the parsley, turn the beef in the marinade, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 days, turning the beef in the marinade every 8 hours.
• On the 5th day, remove the beef from the marinade and pat it dry. Strain the marinade, reserving both liquid and solids. Rub the beef with half the salt and pepper, then dredge with flour.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium-size heavy kettle over moderate heat, add the beef and brown well on all sides; this will take 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate, pour off and discard all casserole drippings, then add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the casserole and melt over moderate heat. Add the carrots, onions, and reserved marinade solids and saute, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Return the beef to the casserole, add 2 cups of the reserved marinade and the tomato paste, and bring to a boil over high heat. Adjust the heat so the marinade bubbles gently, cover the kettle with a round of foil, set the lid in place, then simmer the sauerbraten 3 1/2 to 4 hours, turning occasionally, until tender. Carefully replace the foil and kettle lid each time you turn the meat.
• As soon as the sauerbraten is tender, remove it to a large plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Skim as much fat as possible from the marinade, then strain it, discarding the solids. Return the marinade to the casserole, add the remaining reserved marinade along with the sugar, sherry, red wine, and raisins and boil, uncovered, over high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until reduced by half and of good gravy consistency. Taste, and if the gravy is too sour, smooth in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the jelly. Season the gravy with the remaining salt and pepper.
• To serve: Slice the sauerbraten across the grain and about 1/4-inch thick, arrange on a large heated platter, overlapping the slices slightly, and smother with the gravy. Pass any extra gravy separately.

RHINELAND SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Rump or round of beef should be well larded with thin matchstick strips of bacon or salt pork. Tie meat firmly with string in several places so it will be easy to turn without piercing and will hold shape. Rub well with salt on all sides and place in deep, closefitting glass or earthenware bowl.
• Combine vinegar and water and add onion, bay leaves, cloves, peppercorns, pickling spices and carrot. Bring to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Cool marinade thoroughly and pour over beef. Meat should be completely covered by marinade; if it is not, add equal amounts of water and vinegar until it is. Cover and place in refrigerator for 3 to 5 days; the longer it stands the more piquant the roast will be, so adjust time to suit taste. Turn meat in marinade 2 or 3 times a day, using string as handle.
• Remove meat from marinade. Strain marinade and reserve. Dry meat thoroughly with paper towels. Meat will not brown properly if it is wet, so dry as much as possible.
• Dice bacon and fry slowly in butter in 5-quart Dutch oven or casserole. When fat is hot, add meat and brown slowly. Using string as handle, turn so meat is well seared and golden brown (but not black) on all sides. This should take about 15 minutes.
• Remove browned meat and add sliced onions to hot fat. Fry, stirring from time to time, until onions are deep golden brown but not black.
• Return meat to pot, placing on top of onions. Add marinade until it reaches about halfway up sides of meat. Add fresh bay leaf and cloves (not those used in marinade). Bring marinade to boil, cover pot tightly with heavy, close-fitting lid, reduce heat and simmer very slowly but steadily 3 1/2 to 4 hours, turning meat 2 or 3 times during cooking. Add more marinade to pot if needed. If you cannot lower heat enough to keep sauce at slow simmer, place an asbestos mat or flame trivet under pot. Meat is done when it can be pierced easily with long-pronged fork or skewer.
• Remove meat to heated platter and strain gravy. Skim off excess fat and return gravy to pot. Melt butter in saucepan and when hot, stir in flour and sugar. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly until sugar mixture turns a deep caramel color. Be very careful doing this, as sugar burns all at once (if it become black, this part of the operation would have to be started again). Add sugar-flour to hot gravy and stir through briskly with wire whisk.
• Season with lemon juice to taste; gravy should have a mild sweet-sour flavor. Add raisins, which have been soaked and drained. Return meat to pot, cover and simmer 10 minutes. If sauce becomes too thick, add a little more marinade. Tablespoonful of tomato puree can be stirred in and heated 4 or 5 minutes before serving time, to enrich the color of the gravy. Check gravy for seasoning. Slice meat and arrange on heated platter and mask with a little gravy, serving rest in heated sauceboat. Serve with dumplings, noodles, boiled potatoes or potato pancakes.

RHINELAND SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Place meat in a large plastic bag. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine vinegar, wine, water, onions, celery, carrots, pepper, cloves, bay leaves, sugar and salt; pour over meat. Fasten bag tightly and lay flat in a 9" X 13" pan. Refrigerate 2-3 days, turning bag each day. (If you like sour sauerbraten, let marinate for 4 days.)
• When ready to cook, remove meat (saving marinade) and dry well. Rub the surface lightly with flour. In a Dutch oven, heat oil and slowly brown the meat well on all sides. Add 1 cup of the marinade liquid plus some of the vegetables and bay leaves. Cover tightly and simmer on surface heat or in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is fork tender. If needed, add more marinade during the cooking time to keep at least 1/2 inch liquid in the Dutch oven. Remove the meat and keep warm until ready to slice.
• Into a large measuring cup, strain the drippings. Add several ice cubes and let stand for a few minutes until the fat separates out. Remove the fat, then make the gravy.

SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups broth, the wine, vinegar, 1 chopped onion, the crushed garlic, thyme sprigs, bay leaves, juniper berries, peppercorns and cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Place the beef in a large resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days, turning daily.
• Preheat the oven to 350. Remove the meat from the marinade and pat dry; season with salt. Strain the marinade, discarding the solids. Heat a large ovenproof pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the meat and brown on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Add the carrots, celery and the remaining onion to the pot and cook until slightly softened, 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped garlic and chopped thyme and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the strained marinade and the remaining 1 cup broth and bring to a simmer. Return the meat to the pot, cover and cook in the oven until tender, 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Remove the meat and transfer to a plate. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the gingersnaps and simmer until thickened; season with salt and pepper. Thinly slice the meat; serve with spaetzle, the vegetables and sauce and sour cream, if desired. Top with parsley.

SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the meat, carrots, celery root, leeks, onions, honey, allspice, cloves, ginger, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon stick, red wine, balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire, soy sauce, 2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon pepper. Marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 5 days.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F; position an oven rack at the second-lowest height.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Strain the vegetables through a sieve, reserving the marinade and vegetables separately.
• Heat the clarified butter in a roasting pan and then brown the meat vigorously on both sides. Add the reserved vegetables and continue to cook until you have a nice caramelization on the meat and vegetables. (This step is important for the color and flavor of the gravy.) Add the marinade to the roasting pan and cover everything with aluminum foil.
• Bake until the meat is tender, 3 to 4 hours.
• Set the roast on a carving board and wrap it in aluminum foil. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan and boil down to about 500 milliliters/2 cups.
• Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, then add to the sauce. Boil the sauce to thicken.
• Slice the roast and serve with the sauce and vegetables or with braised red cabbage and dumplings.

RHINELAND SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Peel and dice onion, carrot and parsnip.
• In a large pot, caramelize 1 tablespoon sugar until light brown, deglaze with vinegar and let simmer for 1 minute.
• Add vegetables, parsley and spices, simmer for 2 more minutes. Add red wine, bring to a boil and simmer about 3 minutes.
• Let cool completely.
• Put chuck roast into marinade (in an airtight container or ziplock bag) and let marinate for 5-6 days in the fridge.
• Remove meat from marinade, pat dry.
• Strain marinade and reserve both liquid and vegetables and spices.
• In a pot, heat clarified butter.
• Salt and pepper chuck roast and dust with flour.
• Sear in hot fat until nicely browned from all sides.
• Remove met from pot, set aside.
• Roast vegetables and spices in the fat for 1 minute, add 1 teaspoon brown sugar, slightly caramelize and deglaze with some marinade.
• Bring to a boil, then add remaining marinade and broth.
• Add meat and crumbled gingerbread, bring to a slow boil, let boil for about 2 hours until meat is tender.
• remove meat from pot and strain sauce through a sieve, press vegetables through the sieve and let the sauce boil for about 10 minutes.
• Add raisins, simmer for 10 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper and maybe more sugar to taste.
• Put meat back into pot, heat and serve with spaetzle or potato dumplings.
• Enjoy!

SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over high heat combine the water, cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, onion, carrot, salt, pepper, bay leaves, cloves, juniper, and mustard seeds. Cover and bring this to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Pat the bottom round dry and rub with vegetable oil and salt on all sides. Heat a large saute pan over high heat; add the meat and brown on all sides, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• When the marinade has cooled to a point where you can stick your finger in it and not be burned, place the meat in a non-reactive vessel and pour over the marinade. Place into the refrigerator for 3 days. If the meat is not completely submerged in the liquid, turn it over once a day.
• After 3 days of marinating, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Add the sugar to the meat and marinade, cover and place on the middle rack of the oven and cook until tender, approximately 4 hours.
• Remove the meat from the vessel and keep warm. Strain the liquid to remove the solids. Return the liquid to the pan and place over medium-high heat. Whisk in the gingersnaps and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Add the raisins if desired. Slice the meat and serve with the sauce.

RHEINISCHER SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Place the vinegar, water, bay leaves, cloves, celery, carrots, quartered onion, salt and pepper in large container (earthenware, glass, plastic, or enamel). Add meat and buttermilk and refrigerate for 4 days.
• Take meat out of marinade, and pat the meat dry with a towel. Reserve marinating liquid.
• In large saute pan, add chopped onion to the olive oil and brown meat on all sides. After browning, deglaze pan with red wine and add marinade and beef shoulder. Cook until tender, about 1 hour.
• Remove the meat from the pan, let rest for 10 to 15 minutes then slice.
• Strain marinade and set aside.
• Add the butter to the pan over low heat and when melted add the flour. Whisk until it comes together and bubbles. Slowly add the strained marinade stirring constantly until sauce has thickened. Add gravy flavoring and salt and white pepper.
• Add brown sugar, to taste, until it is sweet and sour. Stir in the raisins.
• Pour sauce over sliced sauerbraten, and serve with red cabbage, potato dumplings, Spatzle, boiled potatoes, or pasta, if desired.

BERGISCHER SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Peel and cube veggies in about 1 cm pieces.
• In a big container with a lid, mix wine, vinegars, and spices (everything up to the sea salt), adding a pinch of sea salt and pepper.
• Add meat and veggies and put in refrigerator or other cool place at least 3 days and up to 10 days.
• Take out the meat and pat down with a towel.
• Heat lard or clarified butter on high heat in a lidded pot that is large enough for the meat, veggies and sauce and sear the meat on all sides.
• Pass the marinade through a colander, keeping both.
• When the meat is seared on all sides, remove and add the veggies and spices and shortly roast.
• Add the tomato paste and apple butter, mix and allow to caramelize for 2 minutes.
• Add the marinade and stock.
• Put the meat back on, put on lid and braise it on low heat for 1 1/2 - 2 hours (when the meat has reached 60°C/140°F).
• Remove meat and keep warm.
• Pass the liquid through colander and cook on medium-high, reducing sauce by half (about 20 minutes).
• Add cocoa powder and butter and salt and pepper to taste.
• Carve meat into slices and serve with sauce on top.

TRADITIONAL SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Place beef rump roast, onions, vinegar, water, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, sugar, cloves, and bay leaves in a large pot. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days, turning meat daily. Remove meat from marinade and pat dry with paper towels, reserving marinade.
• Season flour to taste with salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Sprinkle flour mixture over beef.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat; cook beef until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Pour reserved marinade over beef, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until beef is tender, 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Remove beef to a platter and slice.
• Strain solids from remaining liquid and continue cooking over medium heat. Add gingersnap cookies and simmer until gravy is thickened about 10 minutes. Serve gravy over sliced beef.