Tafelspitz: a Viennese delicacy

Let’s prepare a traditional Austrian dish – Tafelspitz. Tafelspitz is a special cut of boiled beef served with a unique combination of vegetables, salad, and sauces – one of the recognized pinnacles of Viennese cuisine.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5-2 kg beef rump
  • 3 medium onions
  • 4 celery stalks
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 2-3 juniper berries
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Black peppercorns
  • Salt

For garnish: 

    • 1 kg small potatoes
    • 1 kg fresh spinach
    • 3-4 cloves garlic
    • 400 ml heavy cream
    • Oil

Instructions:

  1. Cut the carrots and celery into medium pieces. Place the beef in a large pot with 1.5 liters of cold water, add 1 whole peeled onion, carrots, and celery. Bring to a boil over high heat, add juniper berries, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours.
  2. Remove the pot from the heat, transfer the meat to a serving dish, and strain the broth through a fine sieve.
  3. Peel the potatoes and boil them separately until cooked. Thinly slice the onion.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan, add the sliced onion and whole potatoes. Fry over medium heat until golden brown.
  5. Separately, fry finely chopped garlic in 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan for 30 seconds, then add spinach and cream. Stirring constantly, reduce by half and remove from heat. Transfer to a sauceboat.
  6. To serve, pour the broth over the meat, place the potatoes on the plate, and serve the spinach sauce separately.

Tafelspitz is ready! Enjoy!

Note: For a more authentic experience, consider using traditional Austrian side dishes like apple sauce or horseradish.