To Dress Beef Kidney I is a traditional British recipe, based on Mrs Beeton's recipe of 1861, for a classic dish of beef kidney that's sliced, fried and served with gravy flavoured with lemon juice. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic British version of: To Dress Beef Kidney I.
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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
TO DRESS BEEF KIDNEY.
I.
632. INGREDIENTS.—1 kidney, clarified butter, pepper and salt to taste, a small quantity of highly-seasoned gravy, 1 tablespoonful of lemon-juice, 1/4 teaspoonful of powdered sugar.
Mode.—Cut the kidneys into neat slices, put them into warm water to soak for 2 hours, and change the water 2 or 3 times; then put them on a clean cloth to dry the water from them, and lay them in a frying-pan with some clarified butter, and fry them of a nice brown; season each side with pepper and salt, put them round the dish, and the gravy in the middle. Before pouring the gravy in the dish, add the lemon-juice and sugar.
Time.—From 5 to 10 minutes. Average cost, 9d. each.
Seasonable at any time.
Modern Redaction
Ingredients:
1 beef kidney
4 tbsp clarified butter
salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
150ml highly-seasoned gravy
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp powdered sugar
Method:
Core the kidney then cut into neat slices, place in a bowl, cover with warm water and set aside for 2 hours to soak, changing the water tow or three times during this time.
After this time drain the kidney pieces then pat dry with kitchen paper. Put the clarified butter in a frying pan and when hot add the kidney pieces and fry these until nicely browned. When well coloured, season each kidney piece with salt and black pepper then place around the outside of a round baking dish.
In the meantime, heat the gravy in a pan until simmering. Add the lemon juice and powdered sugar then pour into the middle of the dish with the kidneys. Serve immediately.
