English Spiced Beef Recipes

Steps:

• Saltpeter is a necessary preservative when curing meat and also adds a pleasing red color otherwise the beef will turn out a murky grey.
• Rub the meat all over with the sugar and put it in a pot with a lid for 2 days. Leave it in a cool place, turning and rubbing the meat occasionally with the sticky liquor that develops.
• Crush the peppercorns, juniper and allspice with a pestle and mortar and mix with the salt and saltpeter.
• Rub this mixture well into the meat and leave it in the pot for a further 9 days. Turn the meat and rub the pickling mixture into the flesh daily.
• When the pickling is complete, remove the beef and rub off any excess spices adhering to the surface. Do not rinse it.
• Wrap the meat in cooking foil [the Victorians used suet] and put into a large ovenproof pot. Add about 10 fl oz water, cover the pot with a double layer of foil and fit the lid on tightly.
• Preheat the oven to 275 deg F.
• Bake the meat slowly allowing 45 min per lb.
• When the meat is cooked, remove the pot and set aside until it is quite cold.
• Unwrap the meat, drain off any excess liquid and place on a board.
• Cover with foil, put a weight on it and leave for at least 24 hr.
• Carve the meat into thin slices and serve with anything from good mustard to pickled kumquats.

Steps:

• Flour meat and brown in hot oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot. Add the water, bouillon, garlic, seasonings, sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato juice. Cover and simmer stew for 2 hours. Add more water or broth if needed. Add vegetables and cook for 30 minutes longer.

Steps:

• Combine all the spices and ½ tbsp salt together in a pestle and mortar. Give everything a good grind, keeping a little of its coarseness. Rub the oil and then the ground spices all over the beef and massage in well. Cover and chill overnight to marinate.
• Next day, heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Weigh your joint and roast for 10 mins per 450g for rare meat and 15 mins per 450g for medium, plus an extra 20 mins. Cover and rest for 20 mins while you finish the salads, then slice and serve. Alternatively, roast the beef in the morning and serve at room temperature for dinner.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Season the roast with salt and pepper to taste. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the outside of the roast on all sides in the butter. After the roast is browned, add 1/2 cup water to the pan, and sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of sage, and 1/2 teaspoon of mint onto the roast. Place onion and garlic into the pan if desired, and season with seasoning salt and red pepper flakes, if using.
• Cover the pot, and place the roast in the oven for 2 to 3 hours depending on how well done you prefer the meat to be. 2 hours for rare, and 3 for well done. Removed finished roast to a pan to keep warm.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet. Whisk flour into melted butter until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Mix until a smooth paste is formed. Return to medium heat, and season with remaining sage and mint. Stir in the liquid from the roasting pan, and boil, stirring constantly until the gravy is thickened. Remove from heat. Slice the roast and serve with gravy poured over the meat.

Steps:

• Place beef in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; rub with brown sugar. Refrigerate, covered, 24 hours., In a small bowl, mix salt, chopped onion, bay leaves and seasonings; rub over beef. Refrigerate, covered, 3 days, turning and rubbing salt mixture into beef once each day., Preheat oven to 325°. Remove and discard salt mixture. Place beef, onions, carrots, celery and stout in a roasting pan. Add water to come halfway up the brisket. Roast, covered, 4-4-1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Cool meat in cooking juices for 1 hour., Remove beef; discard vegetables and cooking juices. Transfer beef to a 13x9-in. baking dish. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Cut diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Serve with rye bread, cheese and mustard.