Virginia's Quick Corned Beef Recipe
4 quarts cold water
1 ½ cup coarse pickling salt
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp pickling spice
6 whole peppercorns
3 bay leaves
1 Tbsp cream of tartar
6 lbs fresh boneless beef (brisket, rump, bottom round, eye of
round)
Combine all ingredients except meat in a large pot. (Cream of
tartar may be added to the brine to preserve the meat’s
pinkish color. It is a good substitute for saltpetre, a preservative.)
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Cool
to room temperature.
Place beef in a glass, ceramic or enamel crock that has been
sterilized by pouring boiling water over it. Pour the cooled
brine over the meat. Weight down the meat with a heavy plate
and weight (a jar filled with water can be used as a weight).
The meat must be completely submerged in liquid for the duration.
Cover the container and store in a cool place 2 – 14 days.
A temperature of less than 40° F is advisable.
To cook the corned beef after it has cured: wash off the meat;
simmer for 3 hours or more in seasoned (without salt) water or
stock until tender. The meat can be served either warm or cold.
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