Baltimore Style Sour Beef And Dumplings Sauerbraten Recipes

BALTIMORE-STYLE SOUR BEEF AND DUMPLINGS (SAUERBRATEN)

Steps:

• WARNING: This part has to be done the day before you want to serve. Stir together all of the marinade ingredients in a nonreactive bowl. Place the roast in a nonreactive container (or large ziplock bag) and marinate overnight. The day before is also a good time to make the gingersnaps if, like me, you are using homemade.
• The next day: Remove the meat and pour the marinade in the slow cooker. In a large skillet, quickly brown all sides of the meat in the canola oil. Add the meat into the slow cooker and turn on low for 6 hours.
• During the last hour or so of cooking time: Start to make the dumplings. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. In a large bowl, combine the cooled mashed potatoes and salt and the egg. Stir in the baking powder and add the flour in 1/2 cup increments until the it resembles a dough and the mixture holds its shape when molded (roughly 3 cups). Form into 2 to 4 inch balls. They should be able to hold their shape but not be too floury. Drop them into the water. They should sink, then rise to the surface when cooked through. Set aside.
• During the last 1/2 hour of cooking time: Skim off any visible fat that may have risen to the top then add the gingersnaps and turn the heat to high.
• After the time is up, shred the meat a bit with a fork or break it into pieces. Serve hot, with dumplings on the side.

SAUERBRATEN WITH POTATO DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Season roast generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons oil; swirl to coat. Sear meat, turning occasionally, until deep brown all over, about 12 minutes. Transfer roast to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium and add onions, garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and a splash of water. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in sugar, vinegar, wine, thyme, peppercorns, juniper, bay leaves, and cloves. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in applesauce. Add roast; turn to coat. Let cool 20 minutes, then cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours, turning once.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Transfer Dutch oven from refrigerator to stove top; turn roast in liquid. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Cover; transfer to oven and bake 2 1/2 hours, turning roast every 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until roast is tender and the tip of a knife pierces through easily, about 30 minutes more. Remove roast; transfer to a cutting board to rest.
• Meanwhile, cook sauce over high heat until reduced to a silky consistency, 8 to 10 minutes. Taste sauce; add 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar if too acidic.
• Cut roast against the grain into thin slices; return to pot. Divide sliced meat with sauce, dumplings, and reserved croutons among plates. Top with thyme and serve.

TRADITIONAL GERMAN SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Wipe beef with a damp cloth and season with salt and pepper. Place seasoned beef in a large glass bowl.
• Combine vinegar, carrots, onion, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, and parsley in a bowl; pour over beef. Cover dish tightly with a lid or plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate beef, turning daily, for 3 to 7 days.
• Drain meat, reserving liquid and vegetables. Rub flour over all sides of beef.
• Heat butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; brown beef on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Add onions, carrots, and 2 cups reserved liquid. Cover Dutch oven, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer until meat is tender, about 2 hours. Transfer beef to a serving platter.
• Stir gingersnap crumbs and sugar into the liquid in Dutch oven; cook and stir until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour sauce over meat.