Oma’s Old-Fashioned Rouladen

traditional

Back in the 40s and 50s, when my German mother-in-law (aka “Oma”) was a young girl in Northern German, rouladen was her family’s traditional Christmas dinner.

Now, this classic meal is a common Sunday supper all over Germany, but back then, when money was tight, Rouladen was a special treat served only once a year.

What is Rouladen?  Chuck roast is wrapped around bacon, onion and spices then simmered in pan gravy for hours until it becomes tender and flavorful.  This recipe has been passed down through Oma’s family for generations.  Oma learned it from her late mother who learned it from hers, etc. etc.  Since Oma has been visiting, we decided to capture this recipe for our official family record, but you can enjoy it as well.

So I present to you Oma’s Old-Fashioned Rouladen.

Oma’s Old-Fashioned Rouladen

  • 10 strips of chuck roast cut thin, approximately 3 3/4 pounds
  • 15-20 strips of bacon
  • yellow mustard
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large onion, cut in half and sliced very thin
  • vegetable oil
  • water, divided
  • sour cream, optional
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for a gluten-free option)

Serves 8-10.

ROLLING

Take a strip of chuck roast.  It should be about 1/4 inch thick.  If it is too thick, pound it down to the correct thickness.  Spread the meat with a thin layer of mustard, then sprinkle with pepper and salt (go easy on the salt).  Put a strip or two of bacon on the meat.  This depends on how wide your meat is.  You don’t want the bacon to stick out the side.  Cover that with a thin layer of sliced onions.

Starting at the small end, roll the meat with its contents into a tight cylinder.  Using kitchen twine (or in Oma’s case, sewing thread), tie this bundle tightly.

BROWNING

Put about 2-3 tablespoons of oil in the bottom of a heavy sauté pan.  When the oil is hot, add the rouladen, and cook, turning as necessary, until it is very brown on all sides.  This takes about 22-28 minutes.  When the meat is very very brown all over, place them in an oven.

Heat about 2 cups of water in small saucepan until hot.  Pour the water into the sauté pan that you used to brown the rouladen and scrape up the drippings.  Eventually, this will be the gravy.  Pour this sauce over the meat in the dutch oven.  If you didn’t get everything from the pan, add a little more water, scrape again and pour that over the meat.  Oma says this is very important.  Add enough water so that it covers about 2/3 of the meat.

SIMMERING

Bring to a boil on the stove top, then reduce heat, cover and simmer very low for 1 1/2 hours.  After the meat is tender, remove it to a plate covered with foil to stay warm.

GRAVY

Whisk together 1/4 cups flour and 1/4 cup water until smooth.  This mixture will be the consistency of cream.  Turn the heat off on the pot and add about 1/2 this mixture to the pan juices whisking until it is incorporated.  Then turn the heat back on and simmer until it thickens.  Just before serving, mix in approximately 1/4 cup of sour cream (optional).  Taste for seasoning.

Guten Appetit!

https://www.livinthepielife.com/2011/02/omas-old-fashioned-rouladen/

Snacks on your Self-Drive Holiday

Packing the right kind and amount of food on your self-drive holiday is very important.  Not only can it save you unnecessary expenses, it also prevents your time being taken up by long queues in big cities.  Snacks must be easy to eat, but must also add to your road trip experience.  Having a picnic on the right spot with the right food will help to make your trip memorable.  Don’t forget that as a precaution it is also always advised that you have the necessary food and drinks with you in the case of an emergency.  Here are some tips to help you plan for your self-drive holiday snacks.

Preparing the Snacks

It is suggested that you start your trip with a tasty sandwich which you prepared the night before.  After all, you don’t want to start your holiday on an empty stomach.  A chicken mayo or tuna sandwich with fresh salad leaves are some favourites.  Remember to store the sandwiches overnight in the fridge.  It is suggested that you keep an allocated space in your fridge for all your snacks and sandwiches so that there is little chance that you forget some stuff in the fridge.   Here are some examples of what could be in your cooler box:

Ideas for your Cooler Box
  • Carrot and celery sticks & cucumber slices
  • Cherry tomatoes, pea pods, and olives
  • Water, sodas, and juice
  • Sandwiches and wraps
  • Cheese
  • Different fruits, like grapes, strawberries, bananas, oranges, apples, and cherries.
  • Cold slices meat
  • Chicken wings
  • Meatballs, sausage rolls, cocktail wieners
  • Potato salad or macaroni salad
  • Condiments like butter or margarine, tomato sauce, mayo, and chutney.
Snack Box

After you’ve made sure that you’ve got everything you need for your cooler box, you must pack you snack box or crate.  Here are some examples of what you can add:

  • Salt & Pepper and other spices
  • Bread, buns, crackers and tortillas
  • Muffins
  • Nuts, raisins, trail mix and pretzels
  • Chips
  • Granola bars and energy bars
Other Necessary Items
  • Paper towels, serviettes
  • Paper plates, forks, spoons
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Thermos
  • Wet wipes
  • Garbage bags
  • Foil or zip lock bags
  • Never forget your wine glass!

If you have above mentioned, you should be able to make your trip memorable.  Now it’s time to enjoy your self-drive holiday!

Source

http://www.vacation-lists.com

 

Planning your Self-Drive Holiday

A self-drive holiday, could not only save you money, but it can be much more enjoyable.  You are able to enjoy the flexibility that other tours do not offer and experience small places and things that make your holiday memorable.  Unfortunately, a self-drive holiday can also go wrong if not well planned.  Here are some tips to help you with planning:

Begin your planning early

Start asking yourself questions like “what do you want to see?” And “where do you want to stay and what type of accommodation will you prefer?”  You can either make use of a travel agency or the internet to help you answer these questions.  Remember to look at customer reviews before booking your accommodation.

Plan your driving route

You need to think of not only the road you will be taking but also the places that you want to see.  Don’t forget to look at points of interest like museums, shopping, road stalls and amusement parks.  In small quaint towns, you might find special historic sights.

Book your accommodation

Although you want to remain flexible it is recommended that you make reservations for especially the beginning of your trip.  Make a folder that contains all the contact details, correspondence, and dates of arrival and departures.

Service your vehicle

On a self-drive holiday, you are very dependent on your vehicle, so make sure that your car has been serviced recently.  If it has been serviced, it is always a good idea to have the oil, tires, and fluids checked and filled.  Remember to always have a tire jack, spare tire, jumper cables, simple tools, a flashlight, and flares.  Make sure you have to contact numbers of emergency numbers with you.

Travel supplies

Double check that you have everything your family needs.  That will depend largely on the ages and interests of the family members.  For small children, you need to think of diapers, snacks, milk, bottles etc.  For older children, you need to think of things to keep them busy in the car.  The most important of all is to stack up on enough snacks and water for if you have an emergency.

Preparing for Your First Time on Safari

Going on a safari can be challenging for a first timer – even if you are a South African.  No one wants to look misplaced or be accused of frightening the animals away with their red shirts.  Here is some practical advice for your first safari experience:

What clothes do I need to wear?

Most camps encourage that guests wear clothing that fits in right with their bush environment.  That includes clothes of colours of beige, khaki, green or brown.  Make sure you know the temperatures of the place you are going to.  In winter in the Northern Cape, one can expect anything from very cold early morning and evenings to warm weather during mid-day.  Some basics one needs to have is T-shirts, a long sleeve shirt (one that can roll up preferably), vest, zip-off pants, hiking boots, warm jacket and a safari hat.

What necessities do you need to pack?

There are a few necessities that no person on safari should be without.  Sun block should definitely be your number one priority.  It doesn’t matter if it is in the middle of winter and icy cold, you should put sunblock on before you go out.  Also, put an extra sun block in your safari bag that must never leave that bag – you cannot afford to forget it at home.  Getting sunburnt and the sun sick on your first day is not something you want to report back home.  A hat and sunglasses will also be valuable in the African sun.

Mosquito and insect repellent is also an absolute must.  Before you go on safari, find out if you are in a malaria zone to get the appropriate medications.  There are lots of reading material about what to pack in your first aid bag and always remember your travel insurance!

A common mistake on your first safari

Buying hiking boots just before you go on safari and never walking in them before can really cause uncomfortable blisters.  Even if you think you are only going on a game drive, make sure that the boots you’ve got are comfortable.  Remember, you are still in Africa and unexpected things can happen – An unexpected walk in the bush will definitely not be a rare occurrence in Africa.

Other tips

It can become so hot over midday that most safari companies do not take their clients out over this time of day.  A book and swimsuit will really come in handy during your afternoon relaxation time.  Remember to rehydrate often and listen to what your guide are saying.  They are really knowledgeable on factors regarding the bush and create a valuable experience for you.

Now it’s time for you to go and enjoy your first African Safari!!

Common Travelling Mistakes

As a first-time traveller you may hear a lot of “what to do’s”, but rarely do you hear about the mistakes your friends made.  It would be a lot easier to travel if we also knew what those mistakes were and how to avoid them.  After all, those mistakes can lead to a lot of lost time, wasted money and above all, missed opportunities.  Isn’t one of the biggest reasons you travel after all for new experiences?  Here is a list of common things to avoid whilst travelling:

Do not eat near a tourist site

Although a major tourist site may be convenient, the restaurants there knows that you probably aren’t coming back.  Their focus is therefore on getting the most customers and not necessarily providing the best quality food.  A suggestion would be to rather travel four or five blocks away before you look for someplace to eat.  Asking at a hostel might also provide some great options.  In conclusion – its best to go to a place where you know that the food must be high quality, otherwise the locals won’t go back there.

Be money wise – Do not make use of traveller’s checks and do not exchange money at the airport

Using traveller’s checks are outdated and most banks don’t even accept them anymore.  It is best to use plastic as much as possible.  Especially if you make use of a bank card without fees.  In order to get the best exchange rates, make use of an ATM or credit card.  If you can, it’s best to never exchange cash.

Do not skip on travel insurance

It is always one of the most difficult expenses to make, but also one of the most important.  You cannot afford to travel without travel insurance.  It might just take one fall, one slip or an unexpected virus to spoil your whole holiday and whole savings account.

Above mentioned dos and don’ts won’t just save you time and money, but also add to the quality of your travels and some unforgettable memories.  Enjoy!

Source:

http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/not-to-do/

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Things to make travelling more memorable

 

Most people save up to go on a special holiday, whether locally or abroad.  It is important to make your trip memorable, so keep these things in mind when travelling:
1.  Meet the locals

You always get those guys that wherever they go, they have awesome experiences.  Experiences that are off the map and not within the usual day schedule of a traveller.  One way to have those experiences yourself is to meet the local people.  Locals usually know best – they know where you can find the best quality for your money, the best service and if you are looking for something different – they will know.  Basic English is spoken more widely than most people think and hand gestures also goes a long way.  It’s always good to know one or two basic words or greetings in the local language.

2.  It’s okay to laugh at yourself

Misunderstanding people and their customs happen quite often.  Instead of dropping your head in shame, laugh it off.  Making a fool of yourself, even unintentionally, is the perfect way to meet new people.  Locals and travellers will immediately identify you as someone who is fun to be with and seek out more opportunities to befriend.  People enrich your travels more than the everyday sights do.

3.  Take some photographs and then some more whilst travelling

Take lots of photographs – even if it is uncool to look like a tourist.  Memory might fade, but the photographs will always be there to remind you of the special places you’ve visited.  Before you travel, make sure that you are comfortable with the phone or camera you are using.

4.  Stash some extra cash

In some places, especially Africa, one can get far with cash.  ATM’s and banks aren’t always as easily accessible as one would like.  In Africa, cash tips also give you access to information and special services.  You can stash extra cash in your shoes, toiletry bag or special places inside your bags.  Always make sure that no-one knows that you have cash available.

5.  Dress the part

Make it easy on yourself at airport security and don’t dress like you are part of the mafia.  Also, wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes that make your time travelling easier.  Pack an extra pair of socks for if you are travelling long distances – even if it’s only for the comfort of your fellow passengers’ sense of smell.