Starters Italian

Beef Carpaccio

Wafer-thin raw beef dressed and garnished, served three ways. The basic uses lean frozen-then-sliced beef, while the ultimate centres on aged fillet with shaved truffle.

Serves2
Time25 min
Cost / serving£2.60
Gluten-free Nut-free

Make it your way

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Budget version

Lean topside, firmed in the freezer and sliced thin, with lemon and basic parmesan.

Per serving£2.60
Total cost£5.20
Time25 min
Servings

Ingredients for 2

  • 200 g lean beef topside , trimmed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon , juiced
  • 30 g hard cheese , shaved
  • 1 handful rocket
  • salt and pepper , to taste

Method

  1. Wrap the beef tightly in cling film and freeze for 1 hour until firm but not solid.
  2. Slice the beef as thinly as possible with a sharp knife, then place between cling film and bash flatter.
  3. Arrange the slices over two chilled plates in a single layer.
  4. Whisk the olive oil and lemon juice, drizzle over the beef and season.
  5. Top with rocket and shaved hard cheese, then serve immediately.

Equipment

  • sharp knife
  • rolling pin

The three ways, side by side

Budget
£2.60 / serving · 25 min

Lean topside, firmed in the freezer and sliced thin, with lemon and basic parmesan.

Better
£4.90 / serving · 30 min

Sirloin with a mustard-caper dressing, proper parmesan and lemon-dressed rocket.

Ultimate
£12.25 / serving · 35 min

Aged fillet, shaved black truffle, aged parmesan and a quail egg yolk.