🍲 Bohemian Goulash
A rich, slow-simmered Old World comfort dish featuring tender beef in a unique sweet-and-sour spiced gravy.
Ingredients
The Beef & Sear:
- 2 lb round steak (cut into serving pieces)
- ⅓ to ½ cup flour (for dredging)
- ½ cup fat or bacon grease
- 1 large onion (sliced)
Sweet & Sour Spiced Liquid:
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 whole allspice
Cooking Instructions
- Dredge the Beef: Thoroughly coat your round steak pieces in the flour using a shallow bowl or a paper bag for easy tossing.
- Brown the Meat: Melt the fat or bacon grease in a large, heavy frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef thoroughly on all sides to lock in deep flavor.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the sliced onion directly to the pan with the beef. Cook together until the onions turn a light golden brown.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the water, vinegar, brown sugar, and salt, stirring gently to mix.
- Infuse the Spices: Drop in the whole cloves and allspice. (Tip: Tie them in a small square of cheesecloth for easy removal later).
- Slow Simmer: Bring the liquid up to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat down to low. Cover tightly and let it simmer gently for roughly 3 hours, or until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- To Serve: Ladle the rich beef and spiced gravy over hot noodles, potato dumplings, mashed potatoes, or warm rice.