serves
4
prep
15 minutes
cook
5 hours
difficulty
Easy
serves
4
people
preparation
15
minutes
cooking
5
hours
difficulty
Easy
level
Ingredients
Brine
- 1.25 litres water
- 200 g salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 100 g sugar
- ½ tsp whole black peppercorns
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ ground mace
- 500 g piece beef topside
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
To make the brine, place all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. As soon as the brine comes to the boil, remove from the heat and stand until completely cooled.
Place the beef in a stainless steel or ceramic dish, pour over the cooled brine, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
The following day, remove the beef from the brine and place in a large saucepan with the onion, celery and bay leaves. Add enough cold water to cover well, then bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer very gently for 5 hours or until the beef is tender. Remove the beef, then thinly slice and serve with mash and greens or allow to cool and use for sandwiches.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
