Tongue
1 3 lb large beef tongue1 Onion, quartered
1 Carrot, sliced
3 Ribs of leafy celery
6 Sprigs of parsley
2 Bay leaves
10 Peppercorns, cracked
1 Dried chile, optional
All are tasty. They can be purchased fresh, smoked and pickled. The most desired, in order of preference, are: calf, lamb, beef and pork.
To prepare: scrub the tongue well. If it is smoked or pickled you MAY wish to blanch it first, by simmering for about 10 minutes. Immerse the tongue in seasoned boiling water to cover, reduce heat and simmer gently for at least one hour. Up to 3 hours for large beef tongues. Then drain, plunge into cold water to cool the meat enough to handle, skin it, and trim any bones and gristle from the root. Finally return it to the cooking water to re-heat it before serving. Or chill it entirely and serve as a cold-cut. To carve, start by cutting through the hump parallel to the base, but towards the tip cut an the diagonal for a better looking presentation. Serves 9.
