Best Victorian Christmas 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.

DUTCH SPICED BEEF

Steps:

• Cut round steak into serving size pieces; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet heat butter until hot, but not brown.
• Brown the meat on both sides; set aside.
• Add sliced onion to the skillet and brown lightly; remove from pan.
• Add water to the skillet; return the meat and the onion.
• Add vinegar, prepared mustard, bay leaf, and whole cloves.
• Cover and cook slowly 1 1/2 hours, or until tender, turning every 30 minutes.
• Place the steaks on a serving platter. Remove the bay leaf and cloves and place onions on the platter.

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.

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.