Roast Topside with a Cumin & Chilli Crust
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Prep: 15 mins
60 mins + resting
The secret behind this week’s fantastic roast beef lies in two spices – chilli and cumin. A speedy garlicky gravy packs in even more flavour.
This recipe is a:
See this week's box.
388 kcal
(per portion)
Ingredients you'll need
  • 1½kg beef topside, boned and rolled
  • 1½ garlic bulb
  • A few pinches of dried chilli flakes
  • 3 tsp cumin seeds
From your kitchen
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Sea salt
  • 1/2 mug red wine + 1/2 mug water (optional)
Step by step this way
  • 1.

    ANY LEFTOVERS? Shred any leftover roast meat and use it to beef up our Veg Box Fajitas recipe. Find it at abelandcole.co.uk/recipes

  • 2.

    Heat your oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7. Unwrap your beef. Pat it dry. Set the beef in a roasting tin. Pluck a garlic clove from the bulb. Peel and finely chop the separate garlic clove. Rub the chopped garlic all over the beef.

  • 3.

    Cut the remaining garlic bulb in half. Sprinkle over a good pinch of dried chilli flakes, 2 tsp cumin seeds and a good pinch of pepper. Massage the spices into the beef.

  • 4.

    Set the halved garlic bulb in the tin beside it. Cut 2 squares of foil to cover the cut-sides of the beef to keep it moist, allowing just the fat to be directly exposed to the heat. Dust the exposed fat with a good pinch of sea salt.

  • 5.

    Pop in the centre of the oven. Turn the heat down to 180°C/ Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Roast for 35 mins for rare, 45 mins for medium and 1 hr for well done. See our ‘How to Cook the Perfect Steak’ video for tips on testing the doneness without cutting into your joint, as you want to give it a good long rest (at least 30 mins) before carving.

  • 6.

    Rustle up a speedy gravy by setting the roasting tin (if heatproof) on the hob, or just scrape all the pan juices into a pan. Squeeze in the roasted garlic and heat till bubbling. Add ½ mug red wine and ½ mug water (optional), any remaining cumin seeds and a pinch of chilli flakes (more or less, to taste).

  • 7.

    Simmer till it’s as reduced as you like it, adding more wine or water as needed. Season to taste. Strain into a jug. After the beef has rested, thinly slice. Drizzle a little gravy over. Serve the rest on the side.

  • 8.

    SUPER SIDES Put a twist on broccoli to go with your roast. Break broccoli into small florets and toss with oil, salt, pepper and a pinch of cumin, chilli flakes, caraway seeds or chopped garlic. Roast it at 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6 for 20 mins till charred.

  • 9.

    Toss boiled or roast carrots in a mix of balsamic vinegar and agave syrup for a sweet and sticky side dish.