A Roast of Beef for the Christmas table has been popular right back to Elizabethan times.  However when you take an organic cut of beef specially reared under farm quality regulations and sourced through Orchard Organics then you have the basis for a real flavoursome Christmas dinner or for any time during your festive cooking.  For simplicity of cooking I have marinated this roast of beef in soy and winter spices, then cooked it to perfection and served with cabbage and candied ruby glazed shallots.

Serves 8-9

Ingredients 2-3kg (approx 6lbs) joint of beef, Four rib - sirloin or fillet.

To Marinade

4 dsp soy sauce

4 dsp sweet sherry

2 cloves garlic - peeled and coarsely chopped

1 dsp peppercorns – coarsely crushed

2 dsp olive oil

1 dsp herbs coarsely chopped e.g. parsley, thyme or rosemary

4-6 cloves coarsely crushed

Method

Prepare the Beef. 
Place in foil in a large dish and pour over the marinade of soy sauce, sweet sherry, garlic, peppercorn, olive oil, cloves and chopped herbs.  If using rosemary or thyme they can be added in sprigs rather than chopping coarsely

Coat the meat well. Secure the foil over the top and place in a refrigerator to marinade for at least 1-2 hours.  The longer you can allow this process the better and ideally up to 24 hours.

To Cook the Roast of Beef

Pre-heat the oven.  Baste the meat again.  It is important to place the meat in a hot oven to seal in the juices at the initial cooking. Place the meat in the oven at 220°C/ Gas Mark No. 7-8 for 20 minutes then lower the heat to 375°F/190°C/ Gas No.5 for cooking duration of 15 minutes per 1lb (50g) for rare.

If cooking medium – allow an extra 15-20 minutes

If cooking well done – allow an extra 30-35 minutes coking time in total.  It is vitally important to baste the meat during cooking and only during the final 20 minutes re-open the foil to allow the meat to crisp up slightly and take on a wonderful golden colour.

Tip: try to allow the meat to ‘relax’ for approximately 15-20 minutes after cooking in a warm lace, this will allow the juice to flow through the meat and will firm up the texture to allow the meal to be carved more easily.  Just before serving baste then garnish the beef, with a mixture of crushed peppercorns (black and a pink), 1 dsp freshly chopped herbs and serve.

To Make Good Gravy

Ingredients 

250ml/½pt meat juices

2 dsp redcurrant jelly

1 dsp sherry

1 tsp soy sauce

Method

Measuring off approximately ½ pt – 1pt meat juices into a saucepan.  If liked strain to remove the discoloured herbs and peppercorns.  Reduce the juices by boiling rapidly for 5 minutes then add the soy, sherry, redcurrant jelly add a  hint of salt and pepper before serving.  

1lb small shallots or baby onions

25g butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 dsp raspberry or cider vinegar

50g/2oz soft brown sugar

125ml/¼ pt red wine or stock

1 - 2 dsp redcurrant jelly

Method

 Prepare the shallots or baby onions.  Remove the papery skin then cook in boiling water for 7-8 minutes with lid on.

In a large pan heat together the butter, oil, sugar, vinegar then add the shallots and allow to toss until caramelised.  Add the red wine and redcurrant jelly and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid has thickened. 

If like a few shelled roasted chestnuts can also be added to the shallots during the final cooking for a really festive dish.

Ingredients

1 small red cabbage – shredded / sliced

2 red or white onions – thinly sliced

50g sultanas

2 cooking apples – chopped

25g soft brown sugar

2 dsp cider vinegar

¼ pt/25ml vegetable stock

2-3 dsp balsamic vinegar

Method

 Place all the prepared vegetables in a large ovenproof dish.  Shredded cabbage, sliced onion, chopped apples, sultanas, sugar, cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, apple juice and stock.  Season well with a bit of salt and black pepper.  Stir, place the lid on top and cook in the oven at Gas No. 2-3/160°C for approximately 2 hours.  Serve garnished with freshly chopped herbs.

Purchase Jenny's Box of Ingredients to help make this delicious meal!

This contains: 1kg beef fore-rib, shallots, small red cabbage, bag of onions, 4 bramley apples, olive oil, parsley, garlic, redcurrant jelly and potatoes.  This box of organic ingredients are Now available online for just £35, arrow down to'Organic Treats' to buy!