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Beef on Weck

Beef on Weck is all about the kimmelweck roll! Make the salt- and caraway-encrusted hard roll from scratch!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Author Jennifer Morrisey

Ingredients

Weck Buns:

  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 1/3 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp Nonfat Dry Milk
  • 2 tbsp potato flour
  • 1 large egg

Bun Topping:

  • 1 lightly beaten egg white
  • 1 tbsp caraway seeds
  • 1 tbsp coarsely ground salt
  • 1 tbsp rye flour

For the Sandwich:

  • 3 cups prepared Au Jus
  • 2 lbs thinly sliced roast beef

Instructions

To Make the Weck Buns

  • In a large mixing bowl, or in the bowl of an electric mixer, combine all of the ingredients except the topping, mixing to form a shaggy dough.
  • Knead the dough, by hand or by machine, for 10 minutes. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes, then knead for an additional 10 minutes, until it's smooth and supple.
  • Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover the bowl, and allow it to rest for 1 hour; it'll become quite puffy, though it may not double in bulk. You may also use your bread machine, set on the Dough cycle, to prepare the dough to this point.
  • Divide the dough into six 3 1/4-ounce (92g) pieces, and shape them into smooth, slightly flattened rounds. Place them on a baking sheet, covered, to rise for 1 hour, or until they're good and puffy.
  • While the rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Brush the rolls with the beaten egg white, and sprinkle lightly (or not) with the topping. Bake them for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they're golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack; they're best served the same day they're made, though they do reheat nicely. Freeze for up to 1 month.
  • TO MAKE A BEEF ON WECK SANDWICH
  • Warm the au jus sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the roast beef and let it warm up at the same time.
  • Carefully dip the top bun in the au jus. Not a dunk or anything, just enough to moisten the part that will come into contact with the roast beef.
  • Pile the beef on the bottom bun, slightly higher than you think you should. Beef on Weck is all about go big or go home.
  • Serve the sliced beef on the rolls with the au jus and horseradish on the side.