Sauerbraten

This is wonderful served with potato pancakes or potato dumplings and red cabbage.

1 boneless rump roast (about 4 pounds)
4 cups water
2 cups red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 medium-size onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of pepper
1 teaspoon mixed pickling spices
24 crushed gingersnaps (1 1/2 cups crumbs)

Trim meat of all but a thin layer of fat.
Place in a large glass bowl.
Add water, vinegar, sugar, onion, celery, salt, pepper and pickling spices to bowl, stirring to mix.
Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 4 or 5 days, turning meat each day.

Remove meat from marinade; reserve marinade; pat meat dry with paper toweling.
Heat shortening in Dutch oven.
Brown meat on all sides (about 15 minutes).

Remove fat from pan.
Pour marinade over meat.
Roast uncovered at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Cover; continue roasting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours longer, or until meat is tender.

Remove meat to platter.
Strain marinade; remove fat and return marinade to pan.
Stir in gingersnap crumbs.
Heat until thickened; strain again.

Slice meat and serve with gravy.

Linzer Torte

1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, separated
1 lemon, grated rind and juice
1 tablespoon brandy
1/2 pound almonds, chopped fine
2 cups flour, sifted 3 times
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 (12 ounce) jar jam or preserves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream butter and sugar well.
Add yolks, flavoring and almonds. Add flour mixed with baking powder, and fold in the stiffly beaten whites.
Roll out or pat two-thirds of the dough in a greased and floured 9-inch springform pan having the dough a little thicker on the bottom than the sides.
Fill with jam.
Roll remaining dough.
Cut in strips and place crisscross on top.
Bake for 40 minutes.

Before serving, fill hollows on top with jam.

Austrian Egg Cake (Eierkuchen)

This is a wonderful breakfast dish that is very easy to make.

6 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
2 scallions (with tops), chopped

Mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper.

Tear 3 1/2 slices bread into pieces.
Place in blender container, on slice at a time, cover and blend until crumbled, about 3 seconds.
Stir in bread crumbs and scallions.
Pour into greased 8-inch square baking dish.
Bake uncovered at 325 degrees F until set and top is light brown, about 40 minutes.