Aaaaahhhhhh, a taste of home... well my home at least. I was graving some good old german food so I decided to make Sour Beef and Dumblings.
The mix for the dumblings you can get in many grocery stores that have an international section. I believe Giant has them. They are simply called potatoe dumplings.
Please keep in mind that this beef should marinate in the vinegar for about 3 days, so plan ahead.
Ingredients:
- white vinegar
- water
- small onion
- beef roast
- 5-6 juniper berries
- 5-6 bay leaves
- pepper, salt
- about 3 packs of brown gravy mix (have extra on hand just in case)
- One pack of of potatoe dumplings (prepare those according to package directions)
Peparation:
- Season the beef with salt and pepper and put it into a large plastic container with lid. Add diced onions and fill the container with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, just enough so the meat is covered in fluid. Throw in the juniper berries and bay leaves.
Seal the container and let it sit in the fridge for about 3 days.
Fast Foward to Cooking Time:
- Sear the meat in a hot pan until the outside is nicely browned.
Don't get rid of the vinegar mix yet!
Set the meat into your crockpot. You now want to add enough fluid to make sauce with it. I use half of the vinegar mix and then the rest just water so it doesnt get too sour.
Cook on High for 4 hours (I dont use the low setting because I want the meat tender, but dont want it to fall apart) Of course you could cook it on the stovetop like any other roast as well, but the crockpot gives amazing results.
After 4 hours carefully lift the meat out of the pot and stir in brown gravy mix (amount of packaged depends on the amount of fluid you have, play it by ear)
Set the meat back in while you cook the dumplings (and whatever veggie you may want to serve. Green beans are often served with this)
Slice the meat, serve with gravy (you may or may not need to run the sauce through a strainer) and dumplings. Enjoy!!
