Svíčková na smetaně

Most Czechs consider SVÍČKOVÁ NA SMETANĚ (marinated beef sirloin) as THE most representative dish of their national cuisine. The omnipresent winter dish uses one of the most tasty cuts of beef, the tenderloin and makes it even more flavorful by marinating it in the mixture of herbs and vegetables that is later cooked in. The juices of the roast beef are then used as a base for the vegetable gravy made with root veggies like onions, celeriac roots, carrots and parsnips that are mashed and poured and doused over the meat along with some sour cream or some times cranberry sauce. The dish is then served accompanied by some slices of bread dumplings made of white flour, semolina, egg and milk called Knedliky.