No. 800 — Beef Fillet Roasted in Paper
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 800 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
Trim the fillet of sinews, rub with salt and lard with bacon fat. Surround with sliced onions, sprinkle with crushed allspice and moisten with Madeira or lemon juice.
Wrap in buttered paper, tie and roast on a spit, basting with butter and catching the drippings in a sauté pan.
Serve hot straight from the spit. Remove the paper, slice and pour over drippings previously boiled with a few lemon slices and Madeira.
Garnish with fried potatoes No. 626, stewed red cabbage No. 562 or potato croquettes No. 628; alternatively serve salad or fruit compote.
To provide
3–4 Russian pounds of beef and 3 onions 10 allspice berries and 2 spoonfuls of butter | ½ lemon and ½–1 glass of Madeira ¼ Russian pound of bacon fat |