German Sauerbraten Soup With Dumplings 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.

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.

SAUERBRATEN WITH POTATO DUMPLINGS AND APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Wipe steak with damp cloth; season with salt and pepper.
• Place in earthenware, glass or enamel bowl.
• Combine onions, carrot, celery, cloves, peppercorns, vinegar and bay leaves and pour over meat.
• Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 4 days.
• Boil the potatoes for the dumplings on the night of the 4 day. Leave them in their jackets and let stand for a few hours to overnight.
• On fifth day remove meat from refrigerator and drain, reserving marinade.
• Sauté meat in bacon drippings plus 1 tablespoon butter until seared on all sides.
• Cover with reserved marinade and bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 3 hours.
• Melt remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a pan and stir in flour to form a roux.
• Blend in sugar and brown to a nice dark color.
• Stir roux into liquid in the pot and add raisins (optional).
• Cover and continue to simmer until meat is tender, about 1 hour longer.
• DUMPLINGS:.
• Peel the potatoes and mash them. Add the eggs and flour.
• Form the mixture into little balls and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour before cooking.
• Bring lightly salted water to just under boiling point.
• To make sure your mixture has the right consistency, cook a single dumpling first. If it does not hold together, add more flour to the mixture.
• Gently drop in a few dumplings, being careful not to overcrowd them.
• When the dumplings are cooked, they will rise to the top.
• Remove the meat to a warm serving platter.
• Stir crushed gingersnaps or starch into the pot juices and cook until thickened.
• Pour over the meat and serve with the dumplings and applesauce.
• Provide melted, browned butter and bread crumbs for the dumplings.
• Red cabbage makes another good accompaniment. A good one is Sweet and Sour and the brand that comes to mind is "Aunt Nellie's". It would probably be the easiest to find in the US. I always get mine at our local Walmart Supercenter.