English Spiced Beef Recipes

ENGLISH SPICED BEEF

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.

SPICED BEEF ROAST

Steps:

• Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a strong plastic bag. Put the roast into the bag and seal tightly. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 days turning the bag at least 2 times a day.
• Remove roast from the marinade, and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before browning.
• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
• Heat oil in a large dutch oven over high heat. Pat the roast dry of excess marinade. Season the roast with salt and pepper, and sear on all sides until golden brown.
• Remove the roast to a dish. Heat the oil in the pan and saute the carrots, onions, garlic, celery, and thyme. Add the red wine and any left over marinade to the vegetables, and bring it to a simmer. Scrape up any bits in the bottom of the pot.
• Place the roast back into the pot. Cover the pot with a heavy lid and bake, half the total cooking time with the lid on, and half without. Allow 20 minutes per pound of meat, or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, about 2 hours.
• Add water to pot if it looks like its drying out too fast. Remove the roast to a platter, and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Strain the gravy from the pot and put in a sauceboat.

ENGLISH STYLE SPICED BEEF STEW

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.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS SPICED BEEF

Steps:

• 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 at least 2 times a day with the sticky liquor that develops.
• Crush the peppercorns, juniper berries and allspice with a mortar and pestle and mix with the salt and saltpeter. Rub this mixture well into the meat and leave it in the pot for another 9 days in a very cool place.
• Turn the meat and rub the pickling mixture into the meat 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 suet and put into a large ovenproof pot.
• Add about 10 fl oz water, cover the pot with a tight fitting lid.
• Preheat the oven to 275 deg F.
• Bake the meat slowly allowing 45 min per lb.
• When the meat is cooked, remove from 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 clean cheese cloth, put a weight on it and leave for at least 24 hrs in a very cold place.
• Carve the meat into thin slices and serve with good mustard or horseradish and pickled onions.

SPICED ROAST BEEF

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.

IRISH SPICED BEEF

Steps:

• Mix all the flavorings and spices together.
• Place the beef in a large bowl and rub all over with the spice and flavoring mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Rub in the mixture once or twice a day for a week; turn the beef as you repeat the rubbing in process.
• The spices and flavorings will now be mixed with the juices drawn from the beef.
• Tie up the meat firmly and place in a large pot.
• Rub in a last teaspoon of ground cloves.
• Cover with cold water to which a bottle of Guinness has been added.
• Simmer gently for 6 hours.
• Allow to cool in the cooking liquid.
• When cool, remove from the cooking liquid, place on a serving dish and cover with a weighted plate.
• Refrigerate until serving time.
• Serve cold, thinly sliced.