Sauerbraten Karl Ratzschs Old World Restaurant Style Recipes

SAUERBRATEN, KARL RATZSCH'S OLD WORLD RESTAURANT STYLE

Steps:

• Trim meat of all but a thin layer of fat; place in a glass bowl.
• Add water, vinegar, sugar, onions, celery, salt, pepper and pickling spices to bowl; stir to mix.
• Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 3 to 5 days, turning meat each day.
• (The flavor is more intense with each day that passes).
• Remove meat from marinade; reserve marinade; pat meat dry with paper toweling.
• Heat shortening in dutch oven.
• Brown meat on all sides.
• Remove fat from pan.
• Pour marinade over meat.
• Roast uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Cover; continue roasting 2 1/2- 3 hours, or until meat is tender.
• Remove meat to platter.
• Strain marinade; remove fat and return marinade to pan.
• Stir in gingersnap crumbs.
• Heat until thickened; strain again.
• Slice meat and serve with gravy.

OLD-WORLD SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high. Brown beef on all sides. Add all remaining ingredients except gingersnaps; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until beef is tender, about 3 hour., During the last 30 minutes, stir in gingersnaps. Remove meat; discard bay leaves and cloves. While slicing meat, bring gravy to a boil to reduce and thicken.

OLD-COUNTRY SAUERBRATEN

Steps:

• Place bay leaves and cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag. In a large saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Add spice bag. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; cool completely. , Place the roast in a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add half of the marinade. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 3 days, turning once each day. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade., Remove meat from marinade; discard marinade, onions and spice bag. In a Dutch oven, brown roast in butter on all sides. Sprinkle with sugar. Add reserved marinade. Bring to a boil. Stir in molasses. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender. , Remove roast to a cutting board. Cut into thin slices; set aside. Skim fat from cooking juices. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; gradually stir into juices. Add gingersnaps. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Return meat to gravy; heat through. Serve with spaetzle.

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.

KARL RATZSCH'S HUNGARIAN BEEF GOULASH

Steps:

• Cut meat up into 1 1/2 inch squares. Sauté onions in butter until transparent, but not brown. Add meat and cook for 10-15 minutes Add the flour and stir well. Add the salt, pepper, and beef stock just enough to cover the meat. Cover the pan and bring up to the boil. Lower the heat, add the paprika, and simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. If you prefer a thicker gravy stir 2 Tbs flour into 1/4 cup cold water and add to meat mixture near the end of the cooking time. Serves 4-6.