LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2016

SEASONAL  SIMMERING GOODNESS

Corned Beef WITH CABBAGE

At this time of the year, many butchers make excellent corned or spiced beef. Buy the double brisket—it has more fat and you get a juicier result. Single briskets are leaner but not as tasty. The meat is raw but brined when you buy it. You can make this in stages because this dish reheats exceptionally well. Add in other vegetables you like such as parsnips or kohlrabi. 4 lbs (2 kg) uncooked corned beef 1 can (473 mL) beer Water to cover VEGETABLES 1 Savoy cabbage, cut into eighths through the core 1 small rutabaga, peeled and cut in chunks 2 Place beef in a large ovenproof pot. Pour over beer and add enough water to cover brisket. Bake for about 3 hours (45 minutes per pound) or until meat is fork-tender. Alternatively, if you don’t have oven space, simmer on top of the stove for the same amount of time. 3 Remove meat to a baking sheet and cover until ready to use. The meat can be prepared up to 5 days ahead of time. 4 Place pot with broth frombrisket overmediumheat. Add cabbage, rutabaga, potatoes, carrots and onions and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 35 to 45 minutes. Drain well, reserving 1 cup (250mL) broth for step 6. If not serving immediately, reserve cooked vegetables and broth together. The vegetables can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time. When ready to reheat, simmer vegetables in broth on top of the stove for 15 to 20 minutes or until hot, then drain (reserving 1 cup/250 mL broth). Season with salt and pepper. 5 When nearly ready to serve, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and reheat beef, uncovered for 15 to 20 min- utes or until hot. 6 Slice beef and lay on a platter. Surround with vege- tables and moisten with a little reserved broth. Serve with Horseradish Cream (recipe p. 237). Serves 10 1½ lbs (750 g) small red potatoes 1 lb (500 g) small carrots, peeled 2 onions, thickly sliced Salt and freshly ground pepper 1 Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).

If you have a heavy enam- eled cast iron casserole it will work superbly for these dishes. You can cook in it on top of the stove and also in the oven; some are attrac- tive enough to serve from.

WHAT TO SERVE Kilkenny Irish Ale LCBO 442731, 4 pk, $10.95 Writers Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey LCBO 271106, 700 mL, $50.05

208  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2016