Spiced Beef Food

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.

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.

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.

SPICED BEEF KEBABS

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix the beef, onion, egg, chickpea flour, chiles, garlic, ginger, lime juice, cayenne, coriander, mint, cinnamon, sage, dill, and salt. Divide into fourteen equal parts and shape into 1-inch [2.5-centimeter] disks.
• Heat about 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the kebabs in batches, adding more oil as needed, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Transfer the kebabs to a serving plate, garnish with the cilantro, and serve with the pickled red onions.
• Put the onions and cilantro in a clean 1 pint [480 milliliters] canning jar with a tight-fitting lid. In a small, dry cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet, toast the coriander seeds over medium-high heat, until fragrant, swirling the seeds occasionally so they toast evenly, 30 to 45 seconds. Toss the seeds into the jar with the onions. Add the vinegar, sugar, and salt. Seal the jar and shake a few times. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Makes 1 cup (220 grams).

SUPER-SIMPLE, SUPER-SPICY MONGOLIAN BEEF

Steps:

• Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Toss beef with marinade, cover, and refrigerate 1 hour to overnight.
• Heat peanut oil in a wok or large, nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the green onions, and cook for 5 to 10 seconds before stirring in the beef. Cook and stir until the beef is no longer pink and is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.

IRISH SPICED BEEF

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.

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.

SPICED BEEF ROAST

Steps:

• For marinade, combine the onion, vinegar, broth, brown sugar, bay leaf and seasonings in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Cool to room temperature., Pierce roast several times with a meat fork; place in a large resealable plastic bag. Add cooled marinade. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight., Place meat and marinade in an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1-1/2 hours. Stir in dried fruit and raisins. Bake 45-55 minutes longer or until meat and fruit are tender. Discard bay leaf. Remove roast to a platter; let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. , For gravy, combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour pan juices into a saucepan; gradually stir in cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with beef.

SPICED RICE WITH BEEF

Steps:

• Blitz the ginger and garlic to a paste in a small food processor. Put the beef in a large bowl and add the ginger-garlic paste, the allspice, cloves, 2 tsp black pepper and 2 tsp salt. Mix to coat the beef, then cover and leave to marinate for 30 mins. Will keep chilled for up to a day.
• Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pan over a medium heat and cook the onion for 8 mins until soft and translucent. Tip the beef and any leftover marinade into the pan and sizzle for 10 mins until the beef starts to caramelise in places.
• Add the cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, thyme, all- purpose seasoning and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 1 hr, then remove the lid and cook for another 30 mins. The beef should be tender but still holding together. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Leave to cool completely, then seal in an airtight container and freeze for up to two months.
• Tip the rice into the beef mixture with just enough water to cover it by about 1cm. Stir, then dot the butter over the top. Cover and bake in the oven for 30 mins. Fluff the rice up with a fork and serve with Ghanaian gravy (see 'Goes well with').