Zharkoe (roast beef)

• 1.75‑2.25 kg (3½-4½ lb) beef
• 1 carrot
• 2

Wash and trim the beef, removing any bones and fat. Pierce it all over. Cut the fat into small pieces, put in a pre-heated frying pan to melt, then sear the whole piece of beef in the pan, to seal the juices. Finely dice the vegetables and scatter over the meat, along with all the other ingredients except the sour cream and salt. Roast for 1-1½ hours in the oven (200°C, 400°F, gas mark 6) basti