Hearty Roast Beef Dinner

Ingredients

·         1.5 kg sirloin beef; in one piece

·         60 ml balsamic or red wine vinegar

·         2 tsp. crushed black peppercorns

·         2 cloves garlic; crushed

·         2 sweet potatoes; cut into pieces

·         4 small carrots; cut into large pieces

·         2 turnips; cut into large pieces

·         2 large leeks; cut into large pieces

·         2 tbsp. vegetable oil

·         2 tbsp. corn flour

·         125 ml beef stock

Preparation

1.       Place beef in a shallow glass dish. Place vinegar, black peppercorns and garlic in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour this mixture over the beef and turn to coat. Set aside to marinade for 40 minutes. Turn occasionally.

2.       Drain beef and a reserve marinade. Place beef on a rack in an oven-proof baking dish. Pour a little water into the dish and bake for 30 minutes at 200⁰C (400⁰F)

3.       Brush sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips and leeks with oil, place around beef and cook for 30 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender and beef is cooked to your liking.

4.       Remove beef and vegetables from rack, set aside and keep warm. Remove rack from baking dish and place dish over medium heat on the stove; add flour and cook for 3 minutes or until flour is light brown in color, stirring occasionally. Whisk stock and reserved marinade into pan and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens.

5.       To serve, slice beef and accompany with vegetables and gravy.

Note: the cooking time given in this recipe will result in beef with a rare to medium doneness. Remember to allow a roast to stand for a few minutes to “rest” before cutting – this allows juices to settle and it also makes carving easier. 

Serves 4

Danie de Villiers Freelance Writer