Roast Beef with Lemon and Anchovy Butter

An unusual roast beef dish featuring a topside or top rump joint with a lemon and anchovy butter. Great as a Sunday roast, family celebrations and gatherings too.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Serves: 6 people

To Cook Rare: 20 minutes per 450g plus 20 minutes

To Cook Medium: 25 minutes per 450g plus 25 minutes

To Cook Well Done: 30 minutes per 450g plus 30 minutes

Average Cooking Time for 3lb: 0 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 x 1.3kg lean topside or top rump joint

  • For the Anchovy and Lemon Butter:

  • 100g unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ x 50g can anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
  • 5 tablespoons freshly chopped lemon thyme leaves

  • For the Gravy:

  • 1 tablespoon plain flour
  • 600ml good, hot beef stock

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180-190°C, 160-170°C Fan, Gas Mark 4-5.
  2. To prepare the butter; in a small bowl mix all the ingredients together. Place the joint on a chopping board, score the skin, season and spread generously all over with the butter.
  3. Put any remaining butter on a large piece of cling film or foil, mould into a sausage shape and freeze for up to 2 months.
  4. Place the joint on a rack in a roasting tin and open roast for the preferred, calculated cooking time, basting occasionally with any rich meat juices. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
  5. Remove from the oven, cover and leave to rest on a large plate for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the gravy; spoon off any excess fat from the roasting tin and discard. Place the roasting tin over a medium heat and sprinkle over the flour. Stir well with a small whisk or spoon, add a little stock and stir again, scraping the base of the pan to release any rich, beefy sediment.
  6. Add the remaining stock and any meat juices from the plate. Adjust the seasoning if required and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until reduced to a well-flavoured gravy. Strain before serving.
  7. Garnish the beef with watercress leaves and serve with seasonal vegetables and the gravy.