Corned beef rissoles became popular during wartime as fresh meat was severely rationed. Corned beef or bully beef as it was sometimes known was imported from the USA as part of the vital trans atlantic convoys lifeline.
Celebrating Heritage British Food & Cooking
You can recreate these little Welsh gems using the wartime recipe from the UK National Trust. For a vegetarian alternative, try replacing the corned beef with grated Cheddar and finely diced onion.
A Recipe From My Britain At War Collection
During WWII and for nearly 10 years afterwards, the UK population was subject to food rationing. To feed the family some very creative recipes were used to make the best of the available foodstuffs. Eggs and meat in particular were severely restricted.
Rationing finally ended in 1954 when the last item, meat was made freely available.
Tinned corned beef, alongside salt pork and hardtack, was a standard ration for many militaries and navies from the 17th through the early 20th centuries, including World War I and World War II, during which fresh meat was rationed. Corned beef remains popular worldwide as an ingredient in a variety of regional dishes and as a common part in modern field rations of various armed forces around the world.
If you like, you can prepare these Welsh rissoles in advance and allow them to rest in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them. This rissole recipe also works well for freezing; just ensure you allow the rissoles to defrost thoroughly before you attempt to cook them.
Corned Beef Rissoles
Ingredients
- 115 g corned beef
- 225 g potato mashed
- 225 g mixed vegetables cooked
- 115 g wheatmeal breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons brown sauce or vegetable water
- 1 pinch mixed herbs
- salt and pepper for seasoning
Conversions
Instructions
- Flake the corned beef and mix with the potatoes, vegetables and breadcrumbs.
- Season and add the mixed herbs.
- Bind the mixture with the brown sauce or vegetable water and form into patties.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
You may also like one of my other favourite recipes …
