
A historical main dish from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913).
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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Rub into each tongue a mixture made of half a pound of brown sugar, a piece of saltpetre the size of a pea and a tablespoonful of ground cloves
Put it in a brine made of three-quarters of a pound of salt to two quarts of water and keep covered
Pickle two weeks
Then wash well and dry with a cloth
Roll out a thin paste made of flour and water, smear it all over the tongue
Place in a pan to bake slowly
Baste well with lard and hot water
When done scrape off the paste and skim
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
The two-week brine penetrates deep into the dense muscle tissue through osmosis, breaking down tough proteins while the saltpetre (sodium nitrate) preserves the meat's pink color and prevents bacterial growth. The spice rub creates a flavorful crust, while the sugar balances the salt and promotes browning. The flour-water paste acts as a primitive cooking vessel, sealing in moisture and creating a self-basting environment that keeps the tongue from drying out during the long, slow roast.
The tongue must be brined for exactly two weeks before cooking. Once cooked, it can be cooled completely, wrapped tightly, and refrigerated for up to 5 days before slicing and serving. The paste should be applied just before roasting.
After cooking and removing the paste, let the tongue cool to room temperature, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Slice thinly when cold for best results. Reheat slices gently in a covered pan with a small amount of broth or water to prevent drying.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The tongue must be brined for exactly two weeks before cooking. Once cooked, it can be cooled completely, wrapped tightly, and refrigerated for up to 5 days before slicing and serving. The paste should be applied just before roasting.
After cooking and removing the paste, let the tongue cool to room temperature, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Slice thinly when cold for best results. Reheat slices gently in a covered pan with a small amount of broth or water to prevent drying.