Beef "tea?" Is that like beef broth? Well, kind of. It's a dish that goes back in time to the days when the British were trying to find the essence of what gave beef its nutritional value. Since this was before vitamins and protein were known, they weren't sure what they were looking for. Along the way, somebody noticed that this very mild liquid was soothing and comforting. Give it a try when you're feeling under the weather, but don't go looking for a scientific reason for its effectiveness.
For steeping the "tea," you will need a 1-quart wide-mouth glass jar or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
1. Combine the beef, salt, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Let the mixture boil for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low and let the water barely simmer for 20 minutes more, skimming off any scum that forms on the surface. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool.
Step 2
2. Pour the liquid and the pieces of beef into the jar or container, cover it tightly, and let the liquid steep (like tea, of course) in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
Step 3
3. Strain the liquid either through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer and discard the beef. You'll be left with the tea. Serve hot.
