Svíčková with Creamy Sauce and Bread Dumplings

Ingredients

• 800g (1.75 lb) beef sirloin 800g (1.75 lb) beef sirloin
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 4 allspice berries 4 allspice berries
• 4 black peppercorns 4 black peppercorns
• 1 lemon, zest and juice 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 500ml (2 cups) beef broth 500ml (2 cups) beef broth
• 250ml (1 cup) heavy cream 250ml (1 cup) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the bread dumplings: For the bread dumplings:
• 300g (2.5 cups) all-purpose flour 300g (2.5 cups) all-purpose flour
• 250ml (1 cup) milk 250ml (1 cup) milk
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• For garnish: For garnish:
• Cranberry sauce Cranberry sauce
• Fresh parsley, chopped Fresh parsley, chopped

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 550 kcal / 2300 KJ
• Fat: 32g (Saturated Fat: 18g)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (Sugars: 5g)
• Protein: 38g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the chopped carrots, onion, celery, minced garlic, bay leaves, allspice berries, black peppercorns, lemon zest, and juice. Add the beef sirloin and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
2. 2.
   Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
3. 3.
   Remove the beef from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
4. 4.
   In a Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the beef and sear it on all sides until browned.
5. 5.
   Pour the marinade mixture and beef broth into the pot. Cover with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
6. 6.
   While the beef is cooking, prepare the bread dumplings. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, milk, eggs, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
7. 7.
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Using wet hands, shape the dumpling batter into oval-shaped dumplings and gently drop them into the simmering water. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
8. 8.
   Remove the cooked beef from the pot and set it aside to rest. Strain the cooking liquid, discarding the vegetables and spices.
9. 9.
   In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the strained cooking liquid and heavy cream. Cook until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
10. 10.
    Slice the beef into thin slices. Serve the beef with the creamy sauce and bread dumplings. Garnish with cranberry sauce and chopped parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef sirloin — For the best results, choose a high-quality cut of beef sirloin with good marbling. This will ensure a tender and flavorful end result.
• Bread dumplings — To achieve light and fluffy dumplings, avoid overmixing the batter. Be gentle when shaping the dumplings and handle them with wet hands to prevent sticking.
• Cranberry sauce — If you prefer a homemade cranberry sauce, simmer fresh or frozen cranberries with sugar and a splash of water until they burst and thicken.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a splash of white wine to the cooking liquid before transferring the pot to the oven.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can strain it before serving.
• Leftover Svíčková can be refrigerated and reheated the next day. The flavors often deepen and intensify, making it even more delicious.

Serving advice

Serve Svíčková on a large platter, arranging the sliced beef on top of the bread dumplings. Pour the creamy sauce generously over the beef and dumplings. Garnish with a dollop of cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can place a few whole allspice berries and a bay leaf on top of the sliced beef. This adds a touch of elegance and reminds guests of the flavorful spices used in the dish.