Hi Everybody, First, just to be clear Saltpetre (Saltpeter in the US) is NOT Prague Powder, PP#1 is a 6.25% mixture of SODIUM NITRITE. Saltpeter is POTASSIUM NITRATE (sodium vs. potassium, nitrite vs. nitrate). Frank is correct, Potassium Nitrate is not used very much any more, that is why Prague Powder is also known as "modern cure" and "pink curing salt". So, nothing wrong with using Saltpetre. You can get it at an old style druggist. If not, you can order it overnight from most major drug stores. I ordered it from Walgreen's, they sell the Humco brand using the chemical name of Potassium Nitrate. If you ask for saltpetre, any druggist under the age of 60 will probably look at you like you are nuts. Ask them to look it up in their computer. It is NOT food grade, which means it does not get inspected by the USDA for consumption, but it is produced in a clean chemical process. Everybody uses it, though if you call Humco, they will tell you that they can't endorse it for curing meat (with a wink). The chemical reaction that occurs has been known for years; the Nitrate in Potassium Nitrate breaks down into Nitrites due to enzymes and bacteria, which in turn create nitric oxide, which is what binds to the hemoglobin molecule in the blood in meat and keep it pink. This same reaction occurs naturally in the body through breathing and the cardio vascular process. If there is a problem getting nitric oxide into the blood extremities lose their pink color and turn gray. So most modern cures that require short curing times rely on a Prague Powder #1, which uses Sodium Nitrite to skip the step of going fron Nitrate to Nitrite. You also need less chemical to get the same cure, so DO NOT SUBSTITUTE IN RECIPES WITHOUT CORRECTION!. If you were curing sausages that need months to cure, you use a different formulation that has both sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate. The nitrite goes to work fast, while the nitrate does the normal breakdown over time into nitrite and then nitric oxide (this is PP#2). Keep in mind that the added function of the nitrates/nitrites is as a preservative. So the meat can be kept longer without the bad bacteria giving it their "funk". :) That's the start of the process, along with salt, good bacteria and mold, that allows raw meat to turn into dry cured sausages like salami without refrigeration. So if you want to do this in the future, just order from any spice house or sausage supply online, compare prices, and order some Praque Powder #1 or "pink salt". The remainder above the 6.25% of Sodium Nitrite is just table salt. They die it pink so that you don't mistake it for regular salt. Since you use so little, a 4oz bag goes a long way. And if you want to experiment, you can use any leftover saltpeter to make smoke bombs, flares, and gunpowder. ;) Hope this helps a little :)

DC, I do something similar with our corned beef. My husband is on a salt-restricted diet, but he & I dearly love corned beef. So when it's on sale for St. Patrick's Day, I get a hunk and soak it for two days, changing the water at least 2 times a day. Then I cook it in fresh water in my slow cooker. Once the water comes to a simmer/boil in the slow cooker, I change the water again. I know I'm losing flavor, but these are necessary steps for his health's sake. Yet in spite of all that water, the corned beef tastes pretty good -- much milder than regular but tasty nonetheless. So we can enjoy a corned beef & cabbage dinner and corned beef sandwiches for lunch the next day. And no swollen, painful feet or congested lungs from over indulging.

Joanm, I cook my corned beef for about three hours, sometimes a little longer. If it comes with the separate packet of spices then I rinse it, put it into a large dutch oven and cover with water. The corned beef I bought today has the spices on the meat already, so I won't rinse it. I always add additional spices, cracked pepper, allspice, dried thyme and a couple of bay leaves. Probably about a teaspoon of each....I don't measure. Bring to a good boil, skimming any foam that comes to the top. Cover with a lid and simmer 2-3 hours, sometimes longer. I check it with a fork and when I can feel it starting to soften, I add my carrots. I wait for about 10 minutes, then add sliced onions and potatoes. Wait about 10 more minutes then remove the beef to a platter and add cabbage wedges to the pot. Give it another 10 minutes or so. Meanwhile I slice the corned beef across the grain. Remove the vegetables to a large bowl or place on the meat platter if it's large enough. Enjoy! The leftovers are wonderful, we look forward to good Reuben sandwiches. When buying corned beef, don't forget that it shrinks by about 1/3. Nancy

"It sound delicious but at the same time, I'm lazy and it sounds like a lot of work..." Debby, it's really not much work and more a matter of time since it takes the meat awhile to cook. I know the recipe I posted looks long, but it's more about the time it takes to cook the corned beef low and slow. It usually comes with a seasoning packet, so you could just add that to the pot with the meat and water. Use whatever veggies you like once the meat's cooked. It's truly one of my favorite meals.