Cut up your choice of beef into cubes of about 2 by 2 cm and put those cubes into bowls or containers
Add 2 to 3 whole cloves and 2 to 3 bay leaves
Make the marinade by mixing plain vinegar with water in a ratio of 40:60 (so 40% vinegar and 60% water). Make enough to cover the beef cubes with the vinegar-water mixture
Cover everything with a lid and place it in a cool and dark spot like a cellar or the fridge for 24 hours (the beef will turn grey. Don't be alarmed, this is normal)
You can stir this 2 or 3 times while marinating, if you remember. It will make a difference, but it is not necessary
Sieve the the beef and discard the vinegar and the spices. Pat dry with a kitchen towel
Put some butter in a big pan and fry the beef for a minute. This will start the browning process and release the moisture
Boil water and add to the beef until it is just covered
Add 2 tbspn of fresh vinegar and cook for 2 hours with the lid on, stirring occasionally to prevent from burning
Check after 2 hours if the beef is starting to break down. If not, continue cooking and check every 15 minutes to see if the beef is starting to break down
When the beef is starting to come apart, remove cooking liquid until there is half the amount left in the pan that you started with. Set the cooking liquid aside
Dice up an onion and add to the pan. Add the pear and apple stroop or the syrup and balsamic crema mixture. Crumble up the slices ontbijtkoek or gingerbread and add that to the pan too
Take a ladle of the cooking liquid you removed earlier and stir that together with the powdered jus until dissolved and add that to the pan of beef. Stir everything well and continue to cook until everything is well incorporated and a stew consistency has formed
Taste and add salt until you are happy with the taste. Also add in anything other that it may need. Does it need more vinegar/ontbijtkoek/apple stroop? Taste and add in what you think it needs more of
When you are happy with the taste scoop it onto a plate and serve with traditional potato croquettes and red cabbage with apples or make it your own. Enjoy!