FRESH GRATED HORSERADISH RECIPES

1. The other day I had a nice little roast in the oven – comfort food for a great Sunday afternoon. I had a bunch of raw beetroot to use up, so I thought it would be good to have something nice and zingy to munch on while I was waiting for the chicken to cook – like some tapas or antipasti to get my tastebuds going. You can get some great beetroots these days – fantastic colours.
2. I took the leaves off the beetroots and threw them away, as I didn't need them for this salad (although it's worth remembering that they're edible and that they taste nicer than Swiss chard or spinach!). I washed the beetroots and then, using a speed peeler, I peeled them all down into really thin slices and flavoured them with salt, pepper, chopped flat-leaf parsley and a little grated fresh horseradish to give a nice bit of heat. Then I left them for 5 to 10 minutes so that the acid from the horseradish would soften the beetroot. The horseradish is optional, but it gives a good twang.
3. This salad is lovely on a bit of toast, with maybe a splash of vodka or a little block of crumbled feta cheese. Really nice to pick at before you have dinner.

1. The gap between Christmas and New Year is one of my favourite times – it’s perfect for relaxing, going for long walks, eating big hearty dinners, chilling out indoors and most importantly, spending time with family. To reflect that vibe, I’ve made this warming, Bloody Mary-spiked beef, which you can leave to tick away for hours while you get on with your day. Served with creamy horseradish mash, this is exactly the fare you’ll want when you return home from a cold stroll outdoors.
2. Preheat the oven to 130ºC/250ºF/gas ½. Place a snug-fitting casserole pan over a medium heat to get hot. Season the brisket all over with salt and pepper, then add to the hot pan with a splash of olive oil and cook for about 10 minutes, or until gnarly and browned all over. Meanwhile, trim and chop the celery into 5cm chunks, reserving the yellow leaves for later, then peel and quarter the onions. Add the chopped veg to the pan, reduce the heat to low and cook gently for 5 to 10 minutes, or until slightly softened.
3. Combine all of the Bloody Mary ingredients in a large jug, then pour into the pan with 250ml cold water and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Make a bouquet garni by tying the thyme, rosemary and bay together with string, then add to the pan and bring everything to the boil. Take the pan off the heat and cover with a cartouche – this is basically a scrunched-up piece of greaseproof paper that you place directly on the surface of the food. Cover the pan with tin foil and cook in the oven for 5 to 6 hours, or until the beef is tender and falling apart.
4. When there’s about 30 minutes to go, peel and slice the potatoes into 2.5cm chunks. Add to a large pan of cold salted water, place over a high heat and bring to the boil, then cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender. Meanwhile, if using, remove and wash the outer green leaves of the cabbage, then roll them up like a cigar and finely slice. Add the sliced cabbage or curly kale to a pan of boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender, then drain.
5. Drain the potatoes in a colander and leave to steam dry, then return to the pan and mash well with the butter and horseradish. Season to taste, and add a little more horseradish if it needs it. Divide between plates and spoon over the greens, then pull the beef apart with two forks, pile on top and finely grate over a little fresh horseradish. Scatter over any reserved celery leaves, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve.

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/Gas 7.

Season the fillet with plenty of salt and black pepper and rub with the oil.

Place a large frying pan over a high heat until very hot. Fry the fillet on all sides until browned.

Sit the fillet in the centre of a roasting tin and spread the mustard evenly over the top. Lay the rosemary sprigs around the fillet in the tin and drizzle the beef with oil. Roast in the oven for 20–25 minutes for medium rare (or only 15 minutes, if it is a long, thin fillet).

Remove the beef from the oven and set aside on a board. Cover with foil and leave to rest for 15 minutes. (If serving cold, leave to cool completely, then wrap in more foil and place in the fridge.)

Meanwhile, to make the sauce, measure the mayonnaise, crème fraîche and mustard into a bowl. Stir to combine, then add the horseradish. Season and mix to combine. Chill until ready to serve alongside the beef.

Carve the beef into thick or thin slices and serve with the sauce alongside.

Mary’s tips:

Beef can be fried up to 8 hours ahead and roasted to serve. If serving cold, the fillet can be roasted, carved, reassembled into it’s original shape a day ahead and wrapped in cling film. This prevents the pink slices from turning grey. Ideally carve just before serving.

Not for freezing.

It is important to ask for a middle cut piece of fillet so the beef is an even thickness and cooks evenly.

1. The other day I had a nice little roast in the oven – comfort food for a great Sunday afternoon. I had a bunch of raw beetroot to use up, so I thought it would be good to have something nice and zingy to munch on while I was waiting for the chicken to cook – like some tapas or antipasti to get my tastebuds going. You can get some great beetroots these days – fantastic colours.
2. I took the leaves off the beetroots and threw them away, as I didn't need them for this salad (although it's worth remembering that they're edible and that they taste nicer than Swiss chard or spinach!). I washed the beetroots and then, using a speed peeler, I peeled them all down into really thin slices and flavoured them with salt, pepper, chopped flat-leaf parsley and a little grated fresh horseradish to give a nice bit of heat. Then I left them for 5 to 10 minutes so that the acid from the horseradish would soften the beetroot. The horseradish is optional, but it gives a good twang.
3. This salad is lovely on a bit of toast, with maybe a splash of vodka or a little block of crumbled feta cheese. Really nice to pick at before you have dinner.