Broiled Beef Steaks is a traditional British recipe, based on Mrs Beeton's recipe of 1861, for a classic dish of barbecued or grilled beef steaks and served with a shallot and ketchup sauce. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic British version of: Broiled Beef Steaks.
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This is a traditional British recipe redacted from the redoubtable Mrs Beeton's 1861 volume Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, the classic Victorian cookbook.
Original Recipe
BROILED BEEF-STEAKS or RUMP-STEAKS.
611. INGREDIENTS.—Steaks, a piece of butter the size of a walnut, salt to taste, 1 tablespoonful of good mushroom ketchup or Harvey's sauce.
Mode.—As the success of a good broil so much depends on the state of the fire, see that it is bright and clear, and perfectly free from smoke, and do not add any fresh fuel just before you require to use the gridiron. Sprinkle a little salt over the fire, put on the gridiron for a few minutes, to get thoroughly hot through; rub it with a piece of fresh, suet, to prevent the meat from sticking, and lay on the steaks, which should be cut of an equal thickness, about 3/4 of an inch, or rather thinner, and level them by beating them as little as possible with a rolling-pin. Turn them frequently with steak-tongs (if these are not at hand, stick a fork in the edge of the fat, that no gravy escapes), and in from 8 to 10 minutes they will be done. Have ready a very hot dish, into which put the ketchup, and, when liked, a little minced shalot; dish up the steaks, rub them over with butter, and season with pepper and salt. The exact time for broiling steaks must be determined by taste, whether they are liked underdone or well done; more than from 8 to 10 minutes for a steak 3/4 inch in thickness, we think, would spoil and dry up the juices of the meat. Great expedition is necessary in sending broiled steaks to table; and, to have them in perfection, they should not be cooked till everything else prepared for dinner has been dished up, as their excellence entirely depends on their being served very hot. Garnish with scraped horseradish, or slices of cucumber. Oyster, tomato, onion, and many other sauces, are frequent accompaniments to rump-steak, but true lovers of this English dish generally reject all additions but pepper and salt.
Time.—8 to 10 minutes.
Average cost, 1s. per lb.
Sufficient.—Allow 1/2 lb. to each person; if the party consist entirely of gentlemen, 3/4 lb. will not be too much.
Seasonable all the year, but not good in the height of summer, as the meat cannot hang long enough to be tender.
Pre-heat your barbecue until very hot. Oil the grill then add the steaks and cook for between 8 to 10 minutes, turning frequently, or until the meat is done to your preference.
Combine the ketchup and shallot in a ramekin or short dish. When the steaks are done, rub with the butter and season to taste. Serve immediately, accompanied by the shallot and ketchup mixture.
