Virginia Spiced Beef Round

• 1 (11- to 12-pound) beef round
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon saltpeter
• 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons salt, divided
• 2 cups molasses
• 2 tablespoons ground allspice
• 2 tablespoons ground cloves
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground nutmeg
• Spiced crab apples (optional)

1. Rub meat on all sides with saltpeter and 2 tablespoons salt; place in a large plastic, glass, or stainless steel container with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Combine remaining 2 cups salt, molasses, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg, stirring well. Pour molasses mixture over meat; turn meat to evenly coat all sides. Cover and marinate 21 days in the refrigerator, turning meat each day.
3. Remove meat from marinade; discard marinade. Wrap securely in cheesecloth, and place in a large stock pot; cover completely with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 3 hours or until meat is tender.
4. Remove stock pot from heat; set aside. Allow meat to cool completely in cooking liquid in stock pot. Remove meat from cooking liquid, discarding cooking liquid. Chill overnight. Remove cheesecloth.
5. Transfer meat to a serving platter. Cut diagonally across the grain into thin slices to serve.

beef round, saltpeter, salt, molasses, ground allspice, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, crab apples

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/virginia-spiced-beef-round (may not work)