Beef Brisket with Dried Plums
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 4 1/4 lbs flat cut (called first cut beef brisket trimmed of most fat)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 14 1/2 oz diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup dry red wine (merlot)
- 2 lbs onions – sliced
- 4 carrots – peeled and thinly sliced
- 16 garlic cloves – peeled
- 1 1/2 cups Stapleton’s Pitted Prunes
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup Stapleton’s Prune Juice – 1 additional tbsp for sauce
- 3 tbsps balsamic vinegar – 1 additional tsp for sauce
- 2 tbsps italian parsley (chopped fresh)
- Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F.
- Pat brisket dry; sprinkle all over with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in heavy extra-large skillet over high heat. Add brisket and cook until deep brown, about 7 minutes per side.
- Transfer brisket, fat side up, to large roasting pan. Add tomatoes with juice and wine to skillet.
- Remove from heat, scrape up any browned bits, and pour mixture over brisket. Distribute onions, carrots, and garlic around brisket. Add prunes and thyme; drizzle with 1/2 cup prune juice and 3 tablespoons vinegar. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place pan over 2 burners and bring to boil. Cover pan with heavy-duty foil; place in oven.
- Braise brisket until tender, about 3 hours 15 minutes. Uncover and cool 1 hour at room temperature.
- Remove brisket from roasting pan, scraping off juices. Place on work surface; cut across grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
- Spoon off fat from top of pan juices. Place 1 cup vegetables (remove prunes) and 1 cup braising liquid from pan into processor and puree. Return puree to pan. Add remaining 1 tablespoon prune juice and 1 teaspoon vinegar to pan. Heat sauce; season with salt and pepper.
- Overlap brisket slices in 13x9x2- inch glass baking dish. Pour sauce over brisket, separating slices to allow some sauce to flow between.
- Rewarm brisket, covered, in 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle brisket with parsley; serve.
- Insert the pin into the thickest part; if it meets no resistance, the brisket is done.
Do ahead of time: Can be made 2 days ahead of time. Cook through step 6, then simply cover with foil and chill. To reheat, bring just to simmer over 2 burners before continuing.