Recipes, Beef Recipes

Barbecued Ox Tongue with Black Leeks

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I absolutely love this ox tongue recipe, whilst also celebrating cured smoked beef ox tongue’s very reasonable price and benefit to the kitchen budget. Smoked by Swaledale Butchers, then cooked over charcoal and it is nothing short of eye-rollingly delicious! A wood-fired grill is pretty essential for this recipe.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Method

  1. Place the ox tongue in a fitting saucepan and add the onion and herbs, peppercorns, and garlic.
  2. Cover well with water and then poach gently at a ‘wobble’ for about 2 maybe even 3 hours. When done a knife will slide in fairly easily but meeting with only a little resistance.
  3. Do not overcook to totally tender or it will fall apart on the grill.
  4. NOTE: on no account should you throw away the poaching liquid as it will be the base for the most tremendous soup.
  5. Allow the tongue to cool then nick the skin and peel while still warm as this makes the job far easier.
  6. While the tongue cooks, mix the ketchup; Worcester sauce, clove, pepper and vinegar together and set to one side. Optional: blitz in the flesh of the onion and garlic once poached.
  7. Mix together the mustard powder, paprika, and brown sugar.
  8. Towards the end of the tongue cooking light the barbeque, and when the coals are ready place the whole leeks onto the grill.
  9. Cook to nothing but jet black all over and turn when required.
  10. When done a knife should easily slide straight through them.
  11. Remove from grill, allow to cool and then only remove the really burnt skin.
  12. Halve and then slice down the centre.
  13. Dress heavily with a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, and a little dried chilli and serve at room temperature with the tongue.
  14. Dust the tongue all over with the rub.
  15. Place on the grill and when colouring turn over and paint the browning side.
  16. Sprinkle over more of the rub, then grill, followed by another paint. Do this until all used up by which time the tongue should be richly coloured and caramelised.
  17. Slice the sweet tongue and eat with the dressed leeks.

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Valentine Warner is a chef, food writer, business owner and broadcaster, with a deep interest in nature, travel and provincial food. He describes his cooking style as ‘International Grandmother’ and combines his strong sense of storytelling with his infectious love of cookery. Val has a deep respect and understanding of ingredients, both wild and cultivated, and has the instinctive ability to rustle up hearty and wholesome meals from whatever’s available. Val is an avid proponent of native food sources, and finds common ground with Swaledale in their work to deliver top-notch meat, within a truthful, ethical and high welfare framework. Originally a trained portrait painter, Val has also authored 5 cookbooks, managed his own catering company and is a co-owner of Taqueria, a West London Mexican cafe. Val is also a partner in the Hepple Distillery in Northumberland and Holmen Lofoten hotel on arctic Norway’s Lofoten island.

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  • One of the motivations for operating a whole carcass butchery model is access to the other bits – offal and ‘butchers cuts’. For us, they are just as important a part of the picture as the more famous, prime cuts. So, it gives us immense satisfaction that we now sell more of these delights then we ever have. For chefs understand that these cuts and organs offer something a little different. Yes, in terms of flavour and value but also, we think, in terms of creativity. A ribeye or a rack of lamb might inspire more classic garnishes, whereas an ox heart or a pig’s tongue allow the imaginations run a little freer. It takes skill and touch to cook these cuts well and the results can be extraordinary. We’ll keep buying the whole carcasses, you guys keep cooking the offal and butcher’s cuts!
  • Small herds, native breeds, and wild game, all farmed and sourced with care, are what we’re about and what we care deeply for. The partridge, often called the hedge chicken, is one of the best introductions to game. Mild, tender, full of flavour, and truly sustainable. In fact, we should be eating more of it to help prevent wastage from wild-shot game. Here’s @grylos with an autumnal take on a classic: a partridge Caesar salad. It might just inspire you to give this delicious wild game a go.
  • Ceps, butter, onglet. A proper celebration of the season. Available via our website… Thanks @grylos
  • Anyone can age beef. Doesn’t make it good beef. Great beef starts at its source. Well bred, right breed for the terrain, working with nature, not against it. Low stress, low stock density, fed on diverse pasture that isn’t overly rich or monocultured. From there it’s about time. Then more time. And patience. And, to be honest, the right kit. As ageing beef has become more popular, you see it in supermarkets and on high streets. But the reality is a lot of the kit used doesn’t stack up. It looks wow but creates mould. People push bad beef too far and try to make it sound interesting. We’ve done our tests. We’ve listened to our chefs. We’ve custom-built our dry ager. And we know that when you start with quality, proper controlled ageing just enhances the flavour.
  • We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
  • We’ve finally made a pie. Well… not quite. We’ve collaborated with the brilliant Josh Whitehead of @finer_pleasures , because, truth be told, we don’t have the space or kit to do it ourselves. What he’s made is an absolute cracker — rich venison, Guinness, bone marrow, Henderson’s relish, and care in every step. Cabbage optional.
  • The whole sirloin produces, well, ten great cuts. Here’s Trevor and George talking through the different ways we break down this choice section, on the bone, off the bone, with the fillet on or taken off. There’s always more than one way to butcher a sirloin. Beautiful beef coming through at the moment, probably the best of the year. Get it on your menus, get it on your tables; you know what to do.
  • We often get told, “I’ve never tried venison and I’m not sure where to start.” Well, for menus or home cooks, there’s an easy answer; the venison loin. Tender, quick to cook, and outrageously delicious. Basically kind of like fillet steak, but just with more flavour. Here is the delightful @grylos showing you how to cook a venison loin and yes, of course, it needs butter.
One of the motivations for operating a whole carcass butchery model is access to the other bits – offal and ‘butchers cuts’. For us, they are just as important a part of the picture as the more famous, prime cuts. So, it gives us immense satisfaction that we now sell more of these delights then we ever have. For chefs understand that these cuts and organs offer something a little different. Yes, in terms of flavour and value but also, we think, in terms of creativity. A ribeye or a rack of lamb might inspire more classic garnishes, whereas an ox heart or a pig’s tongue allow the imaginations run a little freer. It takes skill and touch to cook these cuts well and the results can be extraordinary. We’ll keep buying the whole carcasses, you guys keep cooking the offal and butcher’s cuts!
One of the motivations for operating a whole carcass butchery model is access to the other bits – offal and ‘butchers cuts’. For us, they are just as important a part of the picture as the more famous, prime cuts. So, it gives us immense satisfaction that we now sell more of these delights then we ever have. For chefs understand that these cuts and organs offer something a little different. Yes, in terms of flavour and value but also, we think, in terms of creativity. A ribeye or a rack of lamb might inspire more classic garnishes, whereas an ox heart or a pig’s tongue allow the imaginations run a little freer. It takes skill and touch to cook these cuts well and the results can be extraordinary. We’ll keep buying the whole carcasses, you guys keep cooking the offal and butcher’s cuts!
One of the motivations for operating a whole carcass butchery model is access to the other bits – offal and ‘butchers cuts’. For us, they are just as important a part of the picture as the more famous, prime cuts. So, it gives us immense satisfaction that we now sell more of these delights then we ever have. For chefs understand that these cuts and organs offer something a little different. Yes, in terms of flavour and value but also, we think, in terms of creativity. A ribeye or a rack of lamb might inspire more classic garnishes, whereas an ox heart or a pig’s tongue allow the imaginations run a little freer. It takes skill and touch to cook these cuts well and the results can be extraordinary. We’ll keep buying the whole carcasses, you guys keep cooking the offal and butcher’s cuts!
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
One of the motivations for operating a whole carcass butchery model is access to the other bits – offal and ‘butchers cuts’. For us, they are just as important a part of the picture as the more famous, prime cuts. So, it gives us immense satisfaction that we now sell more of these delights then we ever have. For chefs understand that these cuts and organs offer something a little different. Yes, in terms of flavour and value but also, we think, in terms of creativity. A ribeye or a rack of lamb might inspire more classic garnishes, whereas an ox heart or a pig’s tongue allow the imaginations run a little freer. It takes skill and touch to cook these cuts well and the results can be extraordinary. We’ll keep buying the whole carcasses, you guys keep cooking the offal and butcher’s cuts!
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/8
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
Small herds, native breeds, and wild game, all farmed and sourced with care, are what we’re about and what we care deeply for. The partridge, often called the hedge chicken, is one of the best introductions to game. Mild, tender, full of flavour, and truly sustainable. In fact, we should be eating more of it to help prevent wastage from wild-shot game. Here’s @grylos with an autumnal take on a classic: a partridge Caesar salad. It might just inspire you to give this delicious wild game a go.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/8
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
Ceps, butter, onglet. A proper celebration of the season. Available via our website… Thanks @grylos
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/8
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
Anyone can age beef. Doesn’t make it good beef. Great beef starts at its source. Well bred, right breed for the terrain, working with nature, not against it. Low stress, low stock density, fed on diverse pasture that isn’t overly rich or monocultured. From there it’s about time. Then more time. And patience. And, to be honest, the right kit. As ageing beef has become more popular, you see it in supermarkets and on high streets. But the reality is a lot of the kit used doesn’t stack up. It looks wow but creates mould. People push bad beef too far and try to make it sound interesting. We’ve done our tests. We’ve listened to our chefs. We’ve custom-built our dry ager. And we know that when you start with quality, proper controlled ageing just enhances the flavour.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/8
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
We’ve been gently reminded that, as butchers, we should probably say something about National Sausage Week. Truth is, every week’s sausage week here. We love them. We make a lot of them. And, if we’re honest, we think they’re some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Sausages sit right at the heart of proper whole-carcass butchery. They let us use everything — nose to tail — with care and craft. Made fresh, checked constantly, and built on great ingredients. So yes, we’re partaking. Here’s 7 sausage recipes that you can find on our journal, with contributions from Jorge the Butcher, @grylos, @samnixon18, and @jacobkenedy
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/8
We’ve finally made a pie. Well… not quite. We’ve collaborated with the brilliant Josh Whitehead of @finer_pleasures , because, truth be told, we don’t have the space or kit to do it ourselves. What he’s made is an absolute cracker — rich venison, Guinness, bone marrow, Henderson’s relish, and care in every step. Cabbage optional.
We’ve finally made a pie. Well… not quite. We’ve collaborated with the brilliant Josh Whitehead of @finer_pleasures , because, truth be told, we don’t have the space or kit to do it ourselves. What he’s made is an absolute cracker — rich venison, Guinness, bone marrow, Henderson’s relish, and care in every step. Cabbage optional.
We’ve finally made a pie. Well… not quite. We’ve collaborated with the brilliant Josh Whitehead of @finer_pleasures , because, truth be told, we don’t have the space or kit to do it ourselves. What he’s made is an absolute cracker — rich venison, Guinness, bone marrow, Henderson’s relish, and care in every step. Cabbage optional.
We’ve finally made a pie. Well… not quite. We’ve collaborated with the brilliant Josh Whitehead of @finer_pleasures , because, truth be told, we don’t have the space or kit to do it ourselves. What he’s made is an absolute cracker — rich venison, Guinness, bone marrow, Henderson’s relish, and care in every step. Cabbage optional.
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
We’ve finally made a pie. Well… not quite. We’ve collaborated with the brilliant Josh Whitehead of @finer_pleasures , because, truth be told, we don’t have the space or kit to do it ourselves. What he’s made is an absolute cracker — rich venison, Guinness, bone marrow, Henderson’s relish, and care in every step. Cabbage optional.
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
The whole sirloin produces, well, ten great cuts. Here’s Trevor and George talking through the different ways we break down this choice section, on the bone, off the bone, with the fillet on or taken off. There’s always more than one way to butcher a sirloin. Beautiful beef coming through at the moment, probably the best of the year. Get it on your menus, get it on your tables; you know what to do.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
7/8
@swaledalebutchers
@swaledalebutchers
•
Follow
We often get told, “I’ve never tried venison and I’m not sure where to start.” Well, for menus or home cooks, there’s an easy answer; the venison loin. Tender, quick to cook, and outrageously delicious. Basically kind of like fillet steak, but just with more flavour. Here is the delightful @grylos showing you how to cook a venison loin and yes, of course, it needs butter.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
8/8