Beef Rouladen (German Beef Rolls)

By Lsweetnell

Ingredients

• 4 large, sweet onions, sliced
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 4 lb beef top round, cut into 1/4-inch thick by 8-inch long slices, pounded until tender
• 1 tsp paprika
• sea salt
• whole black peppercorns, freshly ground
• 1 lb hickory-smoked sliced bacon
• 1/4 cup oil
• 3 cups beef stock (reserve 3 tbsp for cornstarch mixture)
• 1 tsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• German pickle slices
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• Additional chopped parsley for garnish

Preparation

Step 1

Caramelize onions in 3 tablespoons oil; set aside to cool. Place pounded slices of beef on cutting board and work with them one at a time.

Season each beef slice with paprika, sea salt and pepper to taste. Line each piece with 1 slice of bacon, 1 tablespoon caramelized onions and 1 slice pickle, if desired. Roll the beef around the filling, folding in the sides until it becomes a bundle. Tie each bundle with string in 2 places to secure; set aside. Repeat until all meat slices are used. (Reserve any leftover onions to later place in the sauce.)

Heat large, heavy, stainless-steel skillet over medium heat for 1 minute; add 1/4 cup oil. Increase heat to high; add some of beef bundles without covering entire surface of pan. Sear bundles until golden on each side; remove from pan to plate. Repeat until all bundles are seared.

Take 3 tablespoons out of the 3 cups beef stock; refrigerate for later. Reduce heat to low in skillet; add remaining beef stock. Return all beef bundles to the skillet; add 1 teaspoon parsley and cover. Simmer for 45 minutes. Remove bundles to serving platter; remove string.

Stir cornstarch and reserved 3 tablespoons beef stock in cup; stir into skillet to thicken pan juices. Bring to low boil; cook, stirring constantly until thick and glossy, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. Ladle gravy over rouladen and garnish with additional chopped parsley. Serve with Spätzle.