And for those cold winter evenings when you want something hot that will stick with you this is the first thing that comes to my mind. This really is a hot recipe! Make sure you serve it with nice fresh slices of French or Italian bread.
My mother used to make this when we were teens and we would come in from playing in the snow all day. 
                               German Hot Pepper Pot 
  
                             
                1-3/4 Lbs well marbled Beef, cut into 3/4-1" 
                      cubes
                3 Medium Onions, half thinly sliced, and the
                  other half finely chopped or grated. 
                1 Level teaspoon Salt
              2-3 Tablespoons coarsely ground (or cracked) 
                  Black Pepper
              1/3 teaspoon Allspice
                2 Bay leaves
              3-4 Lemon Slices, rind included
              2-3 Cups water or Beed stock
                1 Tablespoon Bread Crumbs
                2 Tablespoons Zwieback crumbs
                  Lemon Juice (Optional)
        Place the beef cubes, onions, spices, and Lemon slices
        in a large, heavy bottomed pot; the Pepper should be
        as coursely ground as you can manage and applied very
        liberally.  Add the Water or Stock unti lthe Beef cubes
        are well covered.  Mix well and cook over low heat for
        about 1 hour, stirring frequently and adding more liquid
        if necessary.
        Add the bread crumbs and Zweiback crumbs and cook fo an
        additional 20 minutes.  Remove the Bay leaves and lemon
        slices.  Taste for seasoning.  The gravy should be thick
        and veryspicy; add more Lemon, Salt, or Allspice if 
        so desired.  
        Variations: 
        Toss in capers, a modest amount.
        Pre brown the Beef cubes in a skillet for a more robust
        Beef taste. 
        Use flour instead of bread crumbs to thicken the gravy,
        but this is not traditional, you may leave out the 
        Zweiback crumbs, and add more bread crumbs, plus a pinch 
        sugar.  
        Caraway may be added, but just the tiniest amount.
  
        Serve with a good cold German Beer and fresh French Bread. 
[this post was last edited: 11/6/2011-10:04]
