German Comfort Food - Sauerbraten (part 2)

In Sauerbraten Part 1 we began marinating the roast.  I know that all of you have been religiously turning your roast in the marinade every 12 hours for the last couple of days, right?  Excellent!  Now it's time to complete the transformation from just another roast, to that ever so evocative of German dishes.... Sauerbraten.....

As I eluded to in the previous post.  You will require about 6-10 Gingersnap cookies to finish off the gravy.  You did remember to get some gingersnaps, right?  If you forgot, you can always use stale Gingerbread (crumbled up) or even go so far as to use Gingerbread Cookies (crushed), if you have some lying around.  I never do, so I opt for the gingersnaps purchased from a grocery store.  Luckily, I have not eaten all of them as well. :)

Saurbraten

(Part 2)

4 TB Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup Water
6-10 Gingersnap cookies, pulverized (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup)

Remove the roast from the refrigerator and let is warm up for about 1/2 hour.

Remove the roast from the marinade to a stack of paper towels and dry the roast thoroughly, for just as Julia says, "Wet meat doesn't brown as well."

Strain the marinade into a large bowl, to remove the miscellaneous adjuncts. (Coriander seeds, Bay Leaves, Peppercorns, Onions, Carrot, etc.)

Wash the pot and preheat the oven to 300F degrees.

Place the clean pot over medium heat and melt 4 TB of Unsalted Butter.

Once the butter has melted, place the roast in the pot and sear on all sides, until nice and brown.

 By all sides, I mean even the ends.

Once the roast is all browned and delicious looking, pour the marinade over the top.

Bring the marinade to a boil, on the stove.

Cover.... and move to your preheated oven for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours.... Turning the roast every hour.

This is usually when I put the cookies into a ziploc bag.

And smash them into infinitesimal crumbs with a rolling pin, then set them aside until everything is ready for them to meet their gravy thickening destiny.

Once it has braised to a nice and tender slab of deliciousness, remove from the oven.

Extract the roast from the marinade and slice it up (as best you can, it will fall apart for the most part).

Tent to keep warm whilst you finish the gravy.

Pour out the marinade into a measuring cup.

You need at least 1 1/2 cups of marinade/meat juices, I usually have about 2 cups. (which is OK by me, cause that just means more gravy)

Add this back to the pot and fortify the marinade with 1/2 cup Water.

Bring this to a simmer over medium flame and add the Gingersnap crumbs.

Stir them in well, then bring the whole thing back to a simmer again.

Continue simmering until the sauce thickens into a rich and deliciously spiced gravy.

Lay it out on a warm platter and douse it with gravy.

Don't forget to save some back for your guests..

Serve, with Spaetzle & Mushrooms and Fried Red Cabbage.

MMMMMMM Germany on a Plate!

Fütterung der Raubtiere!!
~~