English Potted Beef

1. 1

   Trim the meat of all sinew and fat, cut it into 1-inch cubes and put into a stone jar or basin. Season with salt and the spices. Cover with the wine. Cover the jar or basin with foil and stand this in a roasting tim containing boiling water.

2. 2

   Cook this in a slow oven, 170C/325F/gas mark 3, until the meats fall apart. This could take up to 4 hours. Make sure that you top up the tin with boiling water when necessary. When the meat is ready, drain the juices into a small pan and reduce these until you have only a couple of tablespoons left.

3. 3

   Put the meat into a blender, or pound it to a paste in a mortar. Beat in the softened butter and the reduced juices. Check the seasoning before filling into little pots or wax cartons.

4. 4

   Cover with a film of clarified butter.

5. 5

   Serve as you would a pate.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.