Kraut Pleaser

Name: Kraut Pleaser
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons mustard seeds; 5 juniper berries; 5 black peppercorns; 5 allspice berries; 3 bay leaves, crumbled; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; Kosher salt; 1 1/4 pounds skirt steak; 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon horseradish; 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 small shallot, minced; 1 3/4 cups sauerkraut; 2 teaspoons caraway seeds; 4 slices Swiss cheese; 4 kaiser or brioche rolls, split and toasted; 1/2 cup canned fried onions

21 ingredients

14 steps

Ingredients

2 teaspoons mustard seeds
5 juniper berries
5 black peppercorns
5 allspice berries
3 bay leaves, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Kosher salt
1 1/4 pounds skirt steak
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon horseradish
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 small shallot, minced
1 3/4 cups sauerkraut
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 kaiser or brioche rolls, split and toasted
1/2 cup canned fried onions

Directions

1

Prepare the meat: Combine the mustard seeds, juniper berries, peppercorns, allspice berries and bay leaves in a small skillet over medium heat; cook, swirling the skillet, until toasted, about 3 minutes.
2

Transfer to a bowl to cool, then grind in a spice grinder with the cinnamon, ginger and 1 teaspoon salt.
3

Coat the steak with the spice mixture and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
4

Make the sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and the shallot in a small bowl.
5

Cook the meat: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
6

Add the steak and cook 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare.
7

Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
8

Meanwhile, reduce the heat under the skillet to low.
9

Add the sauerkraut and sprinkle with the caraway seeds; cook, tossing, until warmed through.
10

Spread the sauerkraut into a thin layer and top with the cheese; let melt.
11

Spread the rolls generously with the sauce.
12

Thinly slice the steak against the grain and layer on the roll bottoms.
13

Top each with some of the cheese-covered sauerkraut, sprinkle with the fried onions and cover with the roll tops.
14

Photograph by Kang Kim