Rindsrouladen vom Almochsen (Beef roulade)

Also named “Fleischvogerl” (literally: meat birdie) in Austria, the beef roulade is very popular in the Viennese cuisine. This typical dish, often eaten on Sundays, tastes best with a filling of mustard, onions, carottes and eggs. Finally, sour cream and gherkin stock give the characteristic taste. Try this savory variation of roulade in any case!

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

8 rounds beef schnitzel (use ox meat),150g each
2 tbsps hot English mustard
3 onions, cut lengthways
2 ripe tomatoes
200 ml (0,3 pt) Burgunder (or other full-bodied red wine)
1,2 l (1 qt) vegetable/beef stock or water
2 juniper berries, lightly pressed
1 bay leaf
1 vinegar gherkin (finely chopped)
grated lemon rind
40 ml (0,1 pt) vegetable oil for frying
flour
salt
ground pepper
capers
sprigs of thyme for garnish

For the stuffing:

2 carrots
1 turnip
1 bunch parsley, leaves plucked
16 quail eggs (or 3 normal eggs)
8 slices prosciutto (or other cured ham)

For the fried onions:

2 white onions
salt
a pinch paprika powder
50-100 g (3/8-1/2 cup) flour (coarse)
Peanut oil (for frying)

Preparation:

Peel the carrots and turnip and cut thinly lengthways. Blanch in salt water, douse in cold water, and drain. Boil the quail eggs for 3 minutes, douse in cold water and carefully peel. (When using normal eggs, boil, then peel and quarter). Cover the beef with plastic wrap and lightly tenderize. Season with salt and pepper, and spread mustard on one side. Cover first with prosciutto, then some vegetables (keep some for the sauce) and parsley. Place the eggs in the middle of the meat and roll the fillet into a roulade. Pin together with toothpicks. Season with salt and pepper, dust with flour and fry all over quickly in vegetable oil. Remove, and fry the onions and the rest of the vegetables in the fat.Add the halved tomato, and fry, then pour on the red wine. Simmer until the vegetables are soft. Add the bay leaf and berries, pour in the stock and place the roulade in the sauce. Roast in a preheated oven at 180 °C (350F) for 50-90 minutes (depending on the meat). Baste regularly.

When the roulade is done, remove from the oven, and wrap in foil. Keep warm. Add the finely-chopped gherkin and lemon rind to the sauce and simmer vigorously. Strain the sauce, and season to taste. If it is too thin, add a little water and flour.

Place the roulade in the sauce and let draw for a about 10 minutes. Garnish the roulade with thyme and capers.

Cooking time: 1-1,5 hours, depending on the meat

Suggested side dishes:

Mashed potatoes with fried onions. (For the fried onions, slice the onions thinly with a breadcuttingmachine. Lightly salt, sprinklewith paprika and toss in flour. Place in a large sieve and shake off extra flour. Heat oil in a pan and fry the onions until golden brown. Remove, and drain on some paper towel).