Irish Corned Beef With Cabbage

Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 4 -5 lbs corned beef (preferably the top rib, but silverside is good, too)
• 2 onions, peeled but left whole
• 6 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 black peppercorns
• 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3 pieces each
• 4 -6 potatoes, peeled and halved (evenly sized floury about 4oz each)
• 1 medium green cabbage
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• hot mustard, to serve (optional)

Recipe

• 1 rinse the beef under cold water to remove the brine and put it into a large but snugly fitting pan that is also large enough to hold all the vegetables.
• 2 stud the onions with the cloves and add them to the pan with the bay leaves, peppercorns and enough water to cover.
• 3 bring to the boil over a high heat, skimming off any scum as it rises to the surface. then reduce the heat, cover and leave to simmer for 2-2½ hours, until the beef is tender, skimming the surface and topping up the water now and then if necessary.
• 4 add the carrots and bring back to the boil.
• 5 then add the potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes.
• 6 meanwhile, wash the cabbage, cut it into 6 or 8 wedges and remove the thickest part of the core, but leave a little to help hold the leaves together.
• 7 add to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes, by which time all the vegetables should be tender.
• 8 lift the beef on to a carving board and carve the meat across the grain into slices. arrange the beef and vegetables on a large, warmed serving platter and moisten with a little of the stock.
• 9 serve with some hot mustard, if you wish.