Cook Beef Olives: Easy Recipe for Tender Rolls

Since the 16th century, beef olives have been a standout in British cooking. It’s a meal that’s both comforting and tasty, perfect for making at home. You start by seasoning beef steaks and stuffing them with a mix that’s almost like sausage. Then, they are cooked slowly in a sauce until they’re incredibly tender.

The filling is made of a mix that includes ground pork, bacon, onion, and spices, all processed together. You’ll need 4 topside steaks. After filling the steaks, they’re browned and then slow-cooked in a sauce made with carrots, onions, and red wine. This slow-cooking step takes about 3 hours, but it’s key to making them tasty and tender.

how to cook beef olives

A close-up view of a delicious and juicy Beef Olive, perfectly cooked with a mouth-watering filling, wrapped in thin slices of tender and flavorful beef. The olive should be placed on a wooden board or a plate, drizzled with a savory sauce, surrounded by fresh herbs and spices, and garnished with small pieces of roasted vegetables or crispy bacon bits. The lighting should be warm and natural, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that makes the viewer crave a taste of this delicious dish.

Have your beef olives with mashed potatoes or bread and butter. It’s the perfect pairing for this traditional dish that warms the soul. Cooking them slowly makes the beef incredibly tender and full of flavor, perfect for those days when you crave something comforting.

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Key Takeaways

  • Beef olives are a classic British dish with roots dating back to the 16th century.
  • The recipe involves pounding beef steaks, filling them with a savory sausage-like stuffing, and then braising them in a flavorful sauce.
  • The stuffing is made by processing ground pork, bacon, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, sage, and spices.
  • Browning the meat is crucial to achieve a delicious crust before slow-cooking the beef olives in a sauce.
  • Serving beef olives with creamy mash or bread and butter is a traditional and comforting way to enjoy this dish.

What Are Beef Olives? A Classic British Dish Explained

Beef olives have a long history in British cooking. They date back to the 16th century. The name “olive” comes from the way meat wraps around a filling, not from the use of real olives.

Origins and History of Beef Olives

The stuffing for beef olives mixes pork, bacon, breadcrumbs, onions, and herbs. This mixture feels like a sausage and is rolled up in beef steaks. Families used to make this dish ahead and let it cook slowly. It was ready and waiting when they returned home, making it a special treat.

Beef olives are now a staple of British food culture. They’re a delicious way to enjoy Britain’s culinary history. The recipe has changed over time, but the idea of filling meat with a tasty mix remains the same.

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They’re great for family meals or big celebrations. They’re popular not just in the UK, but also internationally.

“Beef olives have been a beloved part of British culinary heritage for centuries, offering a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy the flavors of the country’s rich gastronomic tradition.”

How to Cook Beef Olives: Easy Recipe for Tender Rolls

Ingredients and Preparation

To make beef olives, start with thin beef steaks like round or flank steak. You’ll also need ingredients for the stuffing. Make the stuffing by mixing ground pork, bacon, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, fresh sage, and a bit of nutmeg. Process this mix in a food processor until well combined.

Next, pound the beef steaks thin and season them. Place a cylinder of stuffing in the middle of each beef steak. Roll the steak around the stuffing and tie it with kitchen twine.

Cooking Instructions

After preparing the beef olives, sear them in a hot pan until browned and flavored. Next, move them to a baking dish. Cook them in the oven at a moderate heat for a while. This step tenderizes the meat and blends the flavors together.

  1. Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
  2. Place the beef olives in a baking dish and pour in the beef stock and red wine.
  3. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and bake for at least 2.5 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
  4. Baste the beef olives occasionally during the cooking process to keep them moist and flavorful.
  5. Once the beef olives are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

The finished dish is a flavorful, tender beef that’s great for family meals or celebrations. Pair the beef olives with roasted potatoes, some steamed veggies, and a bit of zesty horseradish sauce for a complete and enjoyable spread.

Beef Olives

A close-up view of a sizzling hot pan with thin slices of beef rolling up to create savory beef olive rolls. The rolls are browning beautifully and have crispy edges. The beef is perfectly cooked, creating a tender and juicy texture. The background shows a clutter-free kitchen with minimal utensils and ingredients, making the focus solely on the delicious-looking beef olives.

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Conclusion

Beef olives are a tasty and classic British meal. They are simple to make at home. You just need to take thin beef steaks, fill them up like a sausage, and cook in a thick sauce. This makes a dish that feels like home cooking from Britain. Pair them with mashed potatoes or bread and butter. They are a delicious meal that your family will love.

To make great beef olives, pick the right ingredients carefully. Choose round and sirloin tip beef for a good taste that doesn’t break the bank. For the filling, use big beef pieces, around one and a half inch cubes. Picking a high-quality olive oil can also boost the flavor and smell of your food.

Beef olives combine traditional British fare with a new flair. With the right recipe and cooking tips, you can make a meal worth celebrating. It will win over your guests and become a staple in your kitchen.

FAQ

What are beef olives?

Beef olives are a traditional British dish. Despite their name, they don’t have olives in them. The term “olive” refers to meat wrapped around a filling and cooked in sauce.

What is the traditional stuffing for beef olives?

The stuffing for beef olives includes ground pork, bacon, onions, and garlic. It also has breadcrumbs and herbs. This mixture creates a sausage-like filling. Chefs then roll it inside thin beef steaks.

How long have beef olives been part of British cuisine?

Beef olives have been enjoyed in Britain for hundreds of years, since the 16th century.

What is the typical way to serve beef olives?

Beef olives are best enjoyed with creamy mashed potatoes. Or, you can have them with thick bread slices and butter.

How do you make beef olives at home?

To make beef olives at home, start with thin beef steaks. Use round or flank steak. For the stuffing, mix ground pork, bacon, onions, and garlic in a food processor. Add breadcrumbs, sage, and a bit of nutmeg. Season and wrap the stuffing in the beef steaks. Secure with twine.

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By Eleanor

As a seasoned food recipe expert, I'm here to share my passion for creating delicious dishes. Join me in exploring exciting flavors, mastering techniques, and making cooking a joyful experience.