Name: Sugar-cured beef crostini with fried sage leaves
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 220 gm raw sugar (1 cup); 100 gm sea salt (1 cup); 2 tsp coriander seeds, roasted; 2 tsp fennel seeds, roasted; 1 tsp black peppercorns; 125 ml extra-dry vermouth (½ cup); 500 gm beef fillet, trimmed; 24 5mm-thick slices of woodfired baguette; 60 ml extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing (¼ cup); 24 small sage leaves; For frying: olive oil

Ingredients

220 gm raw sugar (1 cup)

100 gm sea salt (1 cup)

2 tsp coriander seeds, roasted

2 tsp fennel seeds, roasted

1 tsp black peppercorns

125 ml extra-dry vermouth (½ cup)

500 gm beef fillet, trimmed

24 5mm-thick slices of woodfired baguette

60 ml extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing (¼ cup)

24 small sage leaves

For frying: olive oil

Method

Main

1.Combine sugar, salt and spices in a mortar and, using a pestle, grind to a coarse mixture, then add vermouth. Place a sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface, spread with half of the sugar mixture, place beef on top, cover with remaining sugar mixture, wrap tightly and place on a tray deep enough to catch any liquid. Top with another tray or board, weight with food cans and refrigerate for 6 hours.

2.Preheat oven to 200C. Brush bread with extra-virgin olive oil, season to taste with sea salt and ground black pepper, place on an oven tray and bake, turning once, for 10 minutes or until golden, then cool. Crostini will keep stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

3.Heat 2cm olive oil in a frying pan to 180C and fry sage for 20 seconds or until crisp, then drain on absorbent paper.

4.To serve, unwrap beef and wipe off sugar mixture. Using a sharp knife, thinly slice, then arrange on crostini, top with a sage leaf.