Alton Brown's Sauerbraten

Total Time: 76 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 72 hrs Cook Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus an additional
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, for seasoning meat
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 whole cloves
• 12 juniper berries
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 (3 1/2-4 lb) bottom round steaks
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 18 dark old-fashioned gingersnaps, crushed (about 5 ounces)
• 1/2 cup seedless raisin (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a large saucepan over high heat combine the water, cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, onion, carrot, salt, pepper, bay leaves, cloves, juniper, and mustard seeds.
• 2 cover and bring this to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. set aside to cool.
• 3 pat the bottom round dry and rub with vegetable oil and salt on all sides.
• 4 heat a large saute pan over high heat; add the meat and brown on all sides, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• 5 when the marinade has cooled to a point where you can stick your finger in it and not be burned, place the meat in a non-reactive vessel and pour over the marinade.
• 6 place into the refrigerator for 3-5 days. (if the meat is not completely submerged in the liquid, turn it over once a day.). i marinated mine for 5 days.
• 7 after 3-5 days of marinating, preheat the oven to 325 degrees f.
• 8 add the sugar to the meat and marinade, cover and place on the middle rack of the oven and cook until tender, approximately 4 hours.
• 9 remove the meat from the vessel and keep warm.
• 10 strain the liquid to remove the solids.
• 11 return the liquid to the pan and place over medium-high heat.
• 12 whisk in the gingersnaps and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally. (the gravy won't thicken until you remove it from the heat.).
• 13 strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
• 14 add the raisins if desired.
• 15 slice the meat and serve with the sauce.