How to Make Rouladen

If you google rouladen you can find dozens of recipes. Here is the recipe my mom taught me, courtesy of my german grandparents. Note: my mom makes them much wider than I do, entree size vs. appetizer size. I made these last night, letting them simmer while I watched Desperate Housewives. Mmm...

Ingredients:
Beef roast, approx. 1 & 1/2 lb.s
Bacon, approx. 1 lb
Pickle spears, 1 regular sized jar
Mustard, approx. 1/4 cup
Toothpicks
White wine, 1/2 cup
Water, 1/2 cup
Oil/butter, 1 Tbs

Slice the roast into thin strips, roughly as wide and long as half a slice of bacon. I like to partially freeze the roast before I cut it, that way it's much easier to get even slices. Cut the bacon in half (whole strips are usually too long). Cut the pickles in thirds.

Assembly: Lay a slice of beef on your prep. surface. Smear the top side with mustard. Lay a piece of bacon on the beef, then roll them up together with a pickle in the middle. Use a toothpick to secure the roll.

Once all of the rolls are assembled, put them in a large pan with the oil and brown them. Then add the wine and water and simmer for at least half an hour. Viola! Rouladen. You can eat them in civilized fashion with a fork and knife, or just eat them off the toothpicks (make sure you have a napkin handy, though).