Czech Svickova

Czech Svickova

The Czech Republic's national dish: braised beef sirloin in a creamy root vegetable sauce, served with bread dumplings, cranberry sauce, and a slice of lemon.

3 hours
6 servings
Czech Republic
🏔️ Eastern European Comforts

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs beef sirloin or top round
  • 2 carrots, 1 parsnip, 1 celeriac (all chopped)
  • 1 onion
  • 6 strips bacon
  • Spices: 6 allspice berries, 4 bay leaves, 10 black peppercorns
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • Bread dumplings and cranberry sauce for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Lard the beef with bacon strips. Season with salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Roast root vegetables and onion in a Dutch oven with oil until golden, 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add beef, spices, 2 cups water, and lemon juice. Cover and braise at 325°F for 2 hours until tender.

  4. 4

    Remove beef. Strain or blend vegetables with cooking liquid into a smooth sauce.

  5. 5

    Whisk flour into cream, then stir into the sauce. Simmer until thickened. Add sugar.

  6. 6

    Slice beef and serve with sauce, bread dumplings, cranberry sauce, and a lemon slice.