Roast beef & Yorkshire pudding

serves 6–8
ingredients
1.8kg/4lb joint of beef
splash of red wine
300ml/10fl oz reduced beef stock
salt and freshly ground
black pepper
For the Yorkshire pudding
175g/6oz plain flour
1 teaspoon salt
300ml/10fl oz cold milk
3 eggs, beaten
60g/21⁄2oz beef dripping
• To prepare the Yorkshire pudding batter, sift the flour into a mixing
bowl with the salt. In another large bowl, mix together the milk and
150ml/10fl oz water, and whisk with the beaten eggs. Add this to the
flour in a thin stream, whisking to a smooth batter. Leave to stand for
60 minutes at room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 240°C/475°F/Gas mark 9.
• Season the joint of beef heavily with salt and pepper, rubbing it in all
over. Sit the joint on a rack in a roasting tin, and roast in the oven for
25 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6
and continue roasting for a further 25 minutes. It is important not to
open the oven door for more than a few seconds at any time from start
to finish.
• Remove the meat from the oven and allow to rest on its rack for about
30 minutes in a warm place, covered with foil. Increase the oven
temperature to 230°C/450°F/Gas mark 8.
• While the meat is resting, cook the Yorkshire pudding. Put the beef
dripping into a metal pan at least 6.5cm/21⁄2in deep, and put in the
oven until smoking hot. Give the prepared batter a final whisk, and pour
into the fat. Bake for 25–30 minutes, when the pudding will be well
risen with a crisp, golden crust.
• Make a gravy by pouring off the fat from the roasting tin. Place the pan
over a high heat, and deglaze it with a splash of red wine. Add the
stock and boil fiercely, scraping the stuck-on sediment with a wooden
spoon. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Serve the roast beef cut in slices, accompanied by the gravy, Yorkshire
pudding and roasted vegetables.