Roast beef with all the trimmings

The perfect Sunday lunch with all the trimmings = happy families!

• Preparation: 15 mins

What you need:

• 1.3kg/3lb lean rump roast or topside joint
• 15ml/1tbsp English mustard powder
• Salt and freshly milled black pepper

For the Yorkshire puddings:

• 175g/6oz strong plain flour
• Pinch salt
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 5ml/1tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 300-400ml/10-14floz milk
• 30ml/2tbsp sunflower oil or beef dripping

For the red wine gravy:

• 25g/1oz plain flour
• 450ml/1/2pint good, hot beef stock or water
• 300ml/1/2pint full bodied red wine
• For the Roast Potatoes:
• 1.8kg/4lb roasting potatoes, peeled and cut in half
• 100ml/31/2floz sunflower or olive oil, or 100g/4oz beef dripping, goose or duck fat
• Salt

What you do:

1. Preheat the oven to Gas mark 4-5, 180-190°C, 350-375°F.
2. Place the joint on a chopping board, score the skin, pat dry with absorbent kitchen paper and rub the mustard over the surface and season.
3. Place the beef on a metal rack in a large roasting tin and open roast for the preferred, calculated cooking time, basting occasionally with the rich beefy juices. If the bottom of the pan seems a little dry, add a little beef stock or water.
4. 1 hour before the end of the cooking time, prepare the Yorkshire puddings. In a large bowl sift the flour and salt together. Make a well in the centre and whisk in the eggs, thyme and enough milk to form a smooth, thick batter, about the consistency of double cream. Cover and leave the batter to rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
5. To prepare the roast potatoes; par-boil the potatoes in a large pan of boiling water for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a large roasting tin with the oil or dripping in the oven for 5-10 minutes. Drain the potatoes and shake well in the pan.
6. Remove the roasting tin from the oven and carefully add the potatoes. Toss gently, return to the oven and cook for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
7. When the beef is cooked transfer to a platter and loosely cover with foil. Retain the roasting tin and its content for the gravy.
8. To cook the Yorkshire puddings; increase the oven temperature to Gas mark 7, 220°C, 425°F and add the oil or dripping evenly in a 12-hole muffin tin and preheat in the oven for 5 minutes.
9. Just before using, re-whisk the batter, adding any extra milk to return to the consistency of double cream and pour into a jug. Remove the hot tin from the oven and immediately pour the batter evenly into each hole, return to the oven and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
10. Meanwhile, to prepare the red gravy; spoon off any excess oil from the tin, leaving about 30ml/2tbsp of meat juices. Place the tin over a medium heat and sprinkle over the flour. Stir well with a small whisk or spoon, add a little stock and stir again, scraping the base of the pan to release any sediment.
11. Add the remaining stock, wine and any meat juices from the platter, adjust the seasoning, if required and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally or until reduced to a well-flavoured gravy. Strain before serving.
12. Serve the beef with all the trimmings and horseradish sauce.

Cook's tip:

Best eaten around the table, so the family can catch up on their week together.

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