Sauerbraten

Sauerbraten is wonderful, but note that you'll need to start marinating the meat two days ahead, so think of this as a delicious culinary project:
(serves 8)

Marinade:
2 sweet* onions, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2&1/2 cups good* (as in one you would like to drink*) dry red wine
1 cup water
12 whole cloves
1 T. mustard seeds
2 bay leaves
2 T. Sugar in the Raw*
2 T. Kosher* salt
1 T. lightly crushed black peppercorns

Meat:
4&1/2 lb. boned, rolled and tied-top round beef roast
3 T. EVOO
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 sweet* onion, chopped
10 Gingersnaps, finely crushed (put them in a zip-lock bag, and smash with a rolling pin or can*)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper

To make the marinade: In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2 mins. Remove fro the heat and let cool. Place the roast in a zip-lock bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and put it in another bag to prevent leakage. Refrigerate, turning every 12 hours for 2 days.

To cook the meat: Preheat the oven to 300. Remove the meat from the marinade, and reserve the marinade. Blot the beef with paper towels. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over med.-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides, about 5-8 mins. Using long tongs, transfer the beef to a plate. Add the carrots and onion to the pot and sauté for about 5 mins. or until softened. Return the meat to the pot. Strain the marinade over the meat and braise for about 3&1/3-4 hours, until meat is tender; turn the meat half way through cooking process. Test by sticking a fork in the meat - it should come easily. Transfer the meat to a cutting board, and let stand for 20 mins. (covered with foil*); set the pot aside. Slice the meat and place in a deep heat-proof serving dish.

To finish the sauce: Add the gingersnaps to the pot and boil over med.-high heat for about 3 mins. or until slightly thickened. Season with S&P, if necessary. Pour the sauce over the meat serve immediately with German spatzle, and dilled green beans.

Make sure to take some time for YOU today!! And, have FUN doing it.

Love,

MM