Sauerbraten With Potato Dumplings And Applesauce

Step 1

Wipe steak with damp cloth; season with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Place in earthenware, glass or enamel bowl.

Step 3

Combine onions, carrot, celery, cloves, peppercorns, vinegar and bay leaves and pour over meat.

Step 4

Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 4 days.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

On fifth day remove meat from refrigerator and drain, reserving marinade.

Step 7

Sauté meat in bacon drippings plus 1 tablespoon butter until seared on all sides.

Step 8

Cover with reserved marinade and bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 3 hours.

Step 9

Melt remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a pan and stir in flour to form a roux.

Step 10

Blend in sugar and brown to a nice dark color.

Step 11

Stir roux into liquid in the pot and add raisins (optional).

Step 12

Cover and continue to simmer until meat is tender, about 1 hour longer.

Step 13

DUMPLINGS:.

Step 14

Peel the potatoes and mash them. Add the eggs and flour.

Step 15

Form the mixture into little balls and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour before cooking.

Step 16

Bring lightly salted water to just under boiling point.

Step 17

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.

Step 18

Gently drop in a few dumplings, being careful not to overcrowd them.

Step 19

When the dumplings are cooked, they will rise to the top.

Step 20

Remove the meat to a warm serving platter.

Step 21

Stir crushed gingersnaps or starch into the pot juices and cook until thickened.

Step 22

Pour over the meat and serve with the dumplings and applesauce.

Step 23

Provide melted, browned butter and bread crumbs for the dumplings.

Step 24

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.