ROAST BEEF PREPARATION RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9.
• Mix 1 tsp plain flour and 1 tsp mustard powder with some seasoning, then rub all over the 950g beef top rump joint.
• Put 1 onion, cut into 8 wedges, and 500g carrots, halved lengthways, into a roasting tin and sit the beef on top, then cook for 20 mins.
• Reduce oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and continue to cook the beef for 30 mins if you like it rare, 40 mins for medium and 1 hr for well done.
• Remove the beef and carrots from the oven, place onto warm plates or platters and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Let the beef rest for 30 mins while you turn up the oven to cook your Yorkshire puds and finish the potatoes.
• For the gravy, put the tin with all the meat juices and onions back onto the hob.
• Stir in 1 tbsp plain flour, scraping all the stuck bits off the bottom of the tin. Cook for 30 seconds, then slowly stir in 250ml beef stock, little by little.
• Bubble to a nice gravy, season, then serve with the beef, carved into slices, carrots and all the other trimmings.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Heat the oil or fat in a large fl ameproof roasting tin in the oven for 5-10 mins. Season the beef all over.
• Place the joint fat-side down in the roasting tin and put it on the hob. Sizzle to release some of the fat, then turn the beef in the fat to seal and colour it all over, about 5 mins. The joint can now be roasted, fat-side up, allowing 10-15 mins per 450g for medium-rare, 15-20 mins per 450g for medium, 20-25 mins for medium-well and 25-30 mins for well done. Turn the joint halfway through its cooking time for an even roast. Once roasted, remove the beef from the pan and leave to one side, loosely covered with foil, to rest for 15-20 mins.
• Meanwhile, pour off any excess fat from the roasting tin, then put the tin on a medium heat on top of the stove. Once it begins to sizzle, pour in the red wine, allowing it to boil rapidly until almost completely evaporated. Tip in the consommé and allow to simmer for 4-5 mins. This will give a light sauce, rather than a gravy (see tip, below). Simmer for a few more mins before straining through a sieve for the smoothest of fi nishes. Carve the beef into thick slices, offering the gravy separately.