
A historical meat preservation from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). Rather more salt may be used in warm weather. Beef tongues and smoking pieces are fine pickled in this brine. Beef liver put in this brine for ten days, and then wiped dry and smoked, is very fine. Cut it in slices, and fry or broil it. The brisket of beef, after being corned, may be smoked, and is very good for boiling. Lean pieces of beef, cut properly from the hind-quarter, are the proper pieces for being smoked. There may be some fine pieces cut from the fore-quarter. A strong, coarse brown paper, folded around the beef, and fastened with paste, keeps it nicely. Tongues are smoked in the same manner. Hang them by a string put through the root end. Spiced brine for smoked beef or tongues will be generally liked.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Cut up a quarter of beef.
0 notes
Sign in to share your thoughts and connect with the community
Sign In to CommentLoading notes...
Strew some of the salt in the bottom of a pickle-tub or barrel, then put in a layer of meat, strew this with salt, then add another layer of meat, and salt and meat alternately, until all is used. Let it remain one night.
Dissolve the saleratus and saltpetre in a little warm water, and put it to the molasses or sugar; then put it over the meat, add water enough to cover the meat, lay a board on it to keep it under the brine.
The meat is fit for use after ten days.
Towards spring take the brine from the meat, make it boiling hot, skim it clear, and when it is cooled, return it to the meat.
After the beef has been in brine ten days or more, wipe it dry, and hang it in a chimney where wood is burned, or make a smothered fire of sawdust or chips, and keep it smoking for ten days; then rub fine black pepper over every part to keep the flies from it, and hang it in a dry, dark, cool place. After a week it is fit for use.
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
This traditional preservation method combines multiple preservation techniques for maximum shelf life. The salt draws out moisture through osmosis while creating an inhospitable environment for bacterial growth. Saltpeter (potassium nitrate) prevents botulism and gives the meat its characteristic pink color by converting myoglobin to nitrosomyoglobin. The molasses or sugar feeds beneficial lactobacillus bacteria that lower pH, further inhibiting spoilage. Smoking adds antimicrobial compounds from wood smoke while creating a protective outer layer that seals in moisture.
This entire recipe is a make-ahead preservation method designed for long-term storage. Once completed, the smoked beef can be stored for several months in a cool, dark, dry place. The brining process itself takes 10+ days before smoking begins.
After smoking and the final week of drying, wrap the finished corned beef in brown butcher paper or cheesecloth and store in a cool (below 40°F), dark, dry location. Properly prepared and stored, this preserved beef can last 2-4 months. Once cut, wrap tightly and refrigerate, using within 1-2 weeks. Note: Modern food safety standards recommend refrigeration throughout the entire process and shorter storage times.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
This entire recipe is a make-ahead preservation method designed for long-term storage. Once completed, the smoked beef can be stored for several months in a cool, dark, dry place. The brining process itself takes 10+ days before smoking begins.
After smoking and the final week of drying, wrap the finished corned beef in brown butcher paper or cheesecloth and store in a cool (below 40°F), dark, dry location. Properly prepared and stored, this preserved beef can last 2-4 months. Once cut, wrap tightly and refrigerate, using within 1-2 weeks. Note: Modern food safety standards recommend refrigeration throughout the entire process and shorter storage times.