Dive into Comfort: Savory Swiss Steak Braised to Perfection
Imagine a tender round of beef roast cloaked in a golden brown crust and bathed in a rich, flavorful sauce. This is not your average steak; it’s Swiss Steak, a timeless classic that warms the soul and fills the belly with pure comfort.
Seasoned for Success:
The journey begins with a generous rub of dry mustard, salt, and pepper, infusing the beef with savory depth. A light dusting of flour seals the deal, creating a canvas for golden brown perfection.
Seared to Delight:
Hearty shortening gets sizzling hot in a Dutch oven, ready to embrace the seasoned beef. Each sizzle promises flavor as the meat sears to a beautiful golden crust, locking in its juices and adding another layer of richness.
A Simmering Symphony:
Next comes the magic. Canned tomatoes, their tangy sweetness punctuated by the warm notes of brown sugar, form the base of the sauce. A splash of Worcestershire sauce adds a touch of umami magic, while chopped onions and carrots melt into the broth, contributing their unique sweetness and texture.
Braised to Tenderness:
The Dutch oven becomes a haven for slow simmering, where the beef bathes in the flavorful broth for an hour or two. With each passing minute, the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, infused with the essence of the sauce.
A Feast for the Senses:
When the time comes, slice the Swiss Steak with a satisfyingly soft thud. Spoon the rich, caramelized sauce over the tender meat and let the aroma of comfort fill the air. Garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley for a pop of color, then dig in.
Every bite is a revelation. The tender beef mingles with the tangy-sweet sauce, the crisp-tender vegetables offer a textural contrast, and the warmth of the dish washes over you like a hug. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, a testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients are treated with love and care.
So, gather your loved ones, pull up a chair, and let Swiss Steak transport you to a world of culinary comfort. With every forkful, you’ll savor the taste of home, the joy of shared meals, and the undeniable magic of a dish that warms the soul from the inside out.
Pro Tip: Serve your Swiss Steak over creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Swiss Steak
Ingredients
- 2.5-3 pound round of beef
- 1.5 tablespoons dry mustard
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3 tablespoons shortening
- 1.5 cups onions
- 2 carrots
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 3 cups canned tomatoes
Method
- Buy a 2 1/2 – 3 pound piece from the round of beef, about 1 – 1 1/2 inch thick.
- Mix 1 1/2 tablespoons dry mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper with 3/4 cup flour.
- Pound the seasoned flour into the beef with a meat pounder or edge of a saucer.
- Don’t spare the rod and spoil the beef.
- Work as much flour in as you can, and with patience and elbow grease, you’ll get most of it in. Takes both.
- Melt 3 tablespoons shortening in a skillet or Dutch oven.
- Brown the meat well on all sides in the hot shortening.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups sliced onions and 2 carrots, diced, over the beef.
- Add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and 2 teaspoons brown sugar to 3 cups canned tomatoes and pour over the meat.
- Cover and bake 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 hours in a moderately slow oven, 325-degrees.
- When the beef is tender, lift it on a hot platter and garnish with sauteed mushrooms caps, if you wish a dressier dish.
- Skim the fat from the sauce, if need be, and thicken to a smooth consistency.
- Serve the sauce on and with the meat and you have Swiss steak.
