Sauerbraten

Directions

1. 1
   .Rub the beef with salt and pepper.
2. 2
   Place it in a covered dish.
3. 3
   Heat the vinegar, water, onions, bay leaves, pepper, sugar and cloves together - but do not boil.
4. 4
   Pour the heated mixture over the beef partially to cover.
5. 5
   Cool, then cover with lid.
6. 6
   Let stand in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, turning daily.
7. 7
   Melt the drippings in a pot or frypan, dredge the beef with flour and sear it quickly in the hot fat, turning it to brown on all sides.
8. 8
   At this point I usually put it in the crock pot instead.
9. 9
   Pour over the beef the vinegar mixture, diluting with water if it seems a little sour.
10. 10
    Reduce heat, cover pot and simmer for 2 or 3 hours unitl the meet is tender and the vinegar mixture is fairly well reduced.
11. 11
    I do it in the crock pot on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
12. 12
    Remove the beef from the pot and keep it warm.
13. 13
    Strain the liquid and skim off the fat.
14. 14
    Thicken remaining liquid to form a gravy.
15. 15
    Serve with mashed potatoes.
16. 16
    Very good!