Cecils

From The cook and housewife's manual (1847).

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A historical recipe

The cook and housewife's manual, by C. I. (Christian Isobel) Johnstone (1847).

Known as a British recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.

From an old book: a historical recipe, not current advice. Its methods, additives and storage may be unsafe by today's standards. Printed in United Kingdom: that says where the book was made, not where the dish comes from.

Ingredients 2 ingredients

Possible health benefits

General information, not medical advice.

Thymus vulgaris High in vitamin C · High in riboflavin · High in potassium · +11
High in vitamin C · 160 mg per 100 g, 200% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
11 more authorised claims

Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
High in riboflavin · 0.5 mg per 100 g, 34% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Riboflavin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Riboflavin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
6 more authorised claims

Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal red blood cells.
Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
Riboflavin contributes to the normal metabolism of iron.
Riboflavin contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Riboflavin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Riboflavin (also called vitamin B2) is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. It also helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. NIH fact sheet
High in potassium · 609 mg per 100 g, 30% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
- Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet
High in calcium · 405 mg per 100 g, 51% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Calcium contributes to normal blood clotting.
- Calcium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Calcium contributes to normal muscle function.
5 more authorised claims

Calcium contributes to normal neurotransmission.
Calcium contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes.
Calcium has a role in the process of cell division and specialisation.
Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones.
Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal teeth.
Calcium is a mineral your body needs to build and maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. NIH fact sheet
High in magnesium · 160 mg per 100 g, 43% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance.
- Magnesium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
7 more authorised claims

Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function.
Magnesium contributes to normal protein synthesis.
Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function.
Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.
Magnesium has a role in the process of cell division.
Magnesium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA. NIH fact sheet
High in iron · 17 mg per 100 g, 125% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Iron contributes to normal cognitive function.
- Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
4 more authorised claims

Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body.
Iron contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Iron has a role in the process of cell division.
Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. NIH fact sheet
High in copper · 0.6 mg per 100 g, 56% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.
- Copper contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
5 more authorised claims

Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation.
Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body.
Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.
Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Copper is a mineral that you need to stay healthy. Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including making energy, connective tissues, and blood vessels. NIH fact sheet
High in manganese · 1.7 mg per 100 g, 86% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.
1 more authorised claims

Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Manganese is a mineral that your body needs to stay healthy. Your body uses manganese to make energy and protect your cells from damage. NIH fact sheet
High in protein · 5.6 g per 100 g, 22% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Source of vitamin A · 238 µg per 100 g, 30% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin A contributes to normal iron metabolism.
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
3 more authorised claims

Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Vitamin A has a role in the process of cell specialisation.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. NIH fact sheet
Source of vitamin B6 · 0.3 mg per 100 g, 25% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
7 more authorised claims

Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet
Source of folate · 45 µg per 100 g, 23% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
- Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis.
- Folate contributes to normal blood formation.
5 more authorised claims

Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
Folate contributes to normal psychological function.
Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Folate has a role in the process of cell division.
Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. NIH fact sheet
Source of phosphorus · 106 mg per 100 g, 15% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes.
- Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
1 more authorised claims

Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.
Phosphorus is a mineral contained in each cell in our body. Most phosphorus is in the bones and teeth, and some is in your genes. NIH fact sheet
Source of zinc · 1.8 mg per 100 g, 18% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis.
- Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism.
- Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism.
15 more authorised claims

Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function.
Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.
Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.
Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids.
Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A.
Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Zinc has a role in the process of cell division.
Zinc is a nutrient that people need to stay healthy. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Thyme, fresh”, USDA FoodData Central.

Claims: EU Register of health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, © European Union, CC BY 4.0), shown only where the ingredient meets the claim's conditions (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). Nutrients: USDA FoodData Central (CC0). Facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (public domain).

Cook safely

Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.

Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.

Method

Mince the whitest part of dressed meat very nicely, find mix it up with bread-crumbs, minced onions, a chopped anchovy, and parsley, pepper, salt, and a little onion or walnut-pickle.
Stir this mince over the fire in a small stew-pan, with a little melted butter ;
and, when cold enough to handle, make it up into large oval balls with flour ;
^g^ the balls and roll them in crumbs ;
brown them befoi'e the fire, and pour hot gravy, seasoned with eschalot and pepper, over them.
425.
A Parisian Mode of dressing cold Beef.
— Cut the part most underdone in slices, and stew them over embers in a sauce of weak broth, a glass of red wine, a small spoonful of tarragon vinegar, an onion, two bayleaves, a sprig of thyme and parsley, pepper, salt, and cloves.
Serve either hot or cold, with the strained gravy, to which, however, more vinegar must be put if the beef is served cold.
The wine may be omitted.

Plating

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Cookware for this recipe

Saucepan
Chef's knife
Cutting board
Wooden spoon
Sieve