SPICED BEEF (to Serve Cold)

Ingredients

• 14 lb the thick flank or rump of beef
• 1/2 lb coarse sugar
• 1 oz saltpetre
• 1/4 lb pounded allspice
• 1 lb common salt

Instructions

1. Rub the sugar well into the beef, and let it lay for 12 hours;
2. then rub the saltpetre and allspice, both of which should be pounded, over the meat, and let it remain for another 12 hours;
3. then rub in the salt.
4. Turn daily in the liquor for a fortnight, soak it for a few hours in water, dry with a cloth, cover with a coarse paste, put a little water at the bottom of the pan, and bake in a moderate oven for 4 hours.
5. If it is not covered with a paste, be careful to put the beef into a deep vessel, and cover with a plate, or it will be too crisp.
6. During the time the meat is in the oven it should be turned once or twice.