Pot Au Feu

Ingredients

• 1 x 2kg/5lb piece beef brisket
• 30g/1ox tongue
• selection of vegetables, such as leeks, carrots, celery, onions, parsnips, turnips and butternut squash
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• (made with flatleaf parsley, thyme and bay leaves) bouquet garni
• 2 boiling sausages
• 1 small boiling chicken
• 3 tomatoes
• 2 handfuls spaghetti
• mustard
• gherkins

Directions

Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.

1. Put the brisket and tongue in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring slowly to a boil, skimming off the foam, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

2. Add the bouquet garni, a generous pinch of salt and some black pepper. Simmer gently for about 2 hours, skimming occasionally, until the brisket and tongue are tender.

3. Add the boiling chicken and both boiling sausages to the pot and keep at a gentle simmer. Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part and the sausages reach 160°F (71°C), about 1 hour.

4. Meanwhile, peel and trim the leeks, carrots, celery, onions, parsnips, turnips and butternut squash. Cut them into large chunks, keeping the vegetables separate from one another.

5. Add the onions, carrots, celery, parsnips and turnips to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. Then add the leeks and butternut squash and simmer for a further 15 minutes until all are tender.

6. Lift the meats out, check that the brisket and tongue are at least 145°F (63°C), and let them rest for 3 minutes before slicing. Keep the chicken and sausages warm.

7. Bring some of the cooking broth to a boil in a separate pan, add the spaghetti and cook until just tender. Drain well and keep warm.

8. Halve the tomatoes and add them to the broth for the last 10 minutes of simmering so they soften slightly. Season the broth with salt and pepper to taste.

9. Serve the broth first with the spaghetti, then arrange the sliced meats, sausages, chicken and vegetables on a warm platter. Serve with mustard and gherkins on the side.