- 2kg/4lb 6½oz beef brisket joint, tied
- 500g/1lb 2oz demerara sugar
- 1.5kg/3lb 5oz sea salt
- 1 tsp white peppercorns
- 1 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 4 bay leaves
- sprig fresh thyme
- 2 carrots, peeled, chopped
- 1 onion, peeled, cut into wedges
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 leek, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- handful fresh parsley
- handful fresh thyme
- 500g/17½oz potatoes, peeled, chopped
- 150g/5¼oz butter
- 1 tbsp creamed horseradish
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- gherkins, to serve
- For the brine, place all of the brine ingredients into a large saucepan and cover with 5 litres/8¾ pints of water. Bring the mixture to the boil and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool completely.
- Place the beef into a large non-metallic container and pour over the cooled brine, (ensure the beef is submerged in the brine). Set aside somewhere cool, preferably the fridge, for 3-5 days. After the soaking time in the brine, rinse the beef brisket and soak in cold water for 24 hours.
- Rinse the beef brisket and place into a large saucepan with the vegetables. Cover the brisket completely with cold water and bring the mixture to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-2½ hours, or until the beef is very tender. Drain well.
- Meanwhile for the horseradish mash, boil the potatoes in a large pan of salted water, for 10-15 minutes, or until tender. Drain well. Return the potatoes to the pan and heat over a low heat for 10-15 seconds to drive off any excess moisture.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth using a potato masher or ricer, then beat in the butter. Stir in the horseradish and chives and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- To serve, carve the beef into thick slices and serve with the horseradish mash, vegetables and gherkins.