Village Kitchen
February 2002
Beef Recipies
A very old Gloucestershire recipe, economical and nourishing
900g / 2 lb skirt of beef
Stuffing
125g/4 oz medium oatmeal
50g/2 oz shredded suet
1 dessertspoon chopped parsley & other herbs to taste
25g/1 oz finely chopped onion
Salt & pepper
A little milk
To Cook
50g/ 2 oz dripping
225g/8 oz chopped onions
1.2 litres/2 pints brown stock
Salt & pepper
125g/4 oz carrots
125g/4 oz turnips
50g/2 oz cornflour
2 tablespoons water
1. Buy the skirt in one piece. Remove skin with a sharp knife and slice a deep pocket in the meat.
2. Combine all stuffing ingredients using enough milk just to bind the mixture.
3. Stuff the pocket in the meat and sew up the opening.
4. Melt dripping in a heavy saucepan and brown meat and onions.
5. Add stock and salt and pepper if necessary. Bring to the boil and simmer very gently for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
6. About 45 minutes from the end of cooking time, add carrots and turnips; scrubbed and sliced into even-sized pieces.
7. Blend cornflour with water and add to pan at last minute, to thicken.
8. Lift out meat and remove sewing thread.
9. Put meat into a hot dish, surrounded by carrots and turnips.
450g/1 lb shin of beef
1/4 level teaspoon mixed spice
1 level teaspoon of salt
Grating of black pepper
1 teaspoon of vinegar
2 teaspoons of Worcester sauce
4 tablespoons of water
125g/4 oz table margarine
A little melted butter
1. Trim excess fat and gristle from meat. Cut meat into 2.5cm/1 ins cubes.
2. Put in 1 litre/1 1/2 pint basin with spice, salt, pepper, vinegar, Worcester sauce and water. Cover lightly with foil.
3. Stand basin on a trivet or up-turned saucer in a large pan. Pour into the pan sufficient boiling water to come half way up the basin.
4. Cover pan and simmer for 2 1/2 hour. Check the level of water from time to time and top up as necessary.
5. Cool a little; drain the meat, reserving the liquid.
6. Mince meat finely, stir in liquid and beat in margarine. Re-season if necessary.
7. Place in small pots, cover with a little melted butter. Use for sandwiches.