Corned Beef

Ingredients

Corning

• 2 pounds coarse salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon saltpeter
• 1 fresh thyme sprig
• 1 ounce pickling spice, tied in cheesecloth
• 1 (5 pound) beef brisket

Cooking

• 3 large onions, one spiked with cloves, the others sliced or quartered
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 pound medium carrots, chopped
• 2 medium white turnips, chopped
• 5 cloves
• 1 pound leeks, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped

Instructions

Corning

1. Put salt, sugar and saltpeter into a large saucepan with pickling spices tied in cheesecloth. Add bay leaves, thyme and 4 1/2 quarts water. Heat gently until sugar and salt have dissolved. Bring to a boil, then pour into bowl and cool.
2. Add the meat to the bowl, making sure that salt solution covers it. Cover with clean dish-towel and leave to soak in cold place for 2 weeks. Turn the meat occasionally.

Cooking

1. Remove the meat from the brine and wash under cold water. Put into a large saucepan with the clove-spiked onion. Add the celery and peppercorns to the pan. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil slowly. Skim, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
2. Add vegetables to the pan, bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain the liquid and use as a sauce over the meat and vegetables.