Beef Brisket With Merlot And Prunes Recipes

BEEF BRISKET WITH CARROTS AND PRUNES

Steps:

• Heat oil and brown beef brisket.
• Remove meat and pour off drippings.
• Add onion to pan, cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender.
• Add 1/2 cup water to pan.
• Return meat to pan, bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover tightly and simmer 2-3 hours.
• Check that it is not drying out, if so, add some more water.
• Add carrots, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon and pepper.
• Continue cooking, covered, 30 to 45 minutes or until brisket is fork-tender.
• Add prunes, cook, uncovered, over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced and prunes are plumped.

BRISKET WITH DRIED APRICOTS, PRUNES & AROMATIC SPICES

Steps:

• Combine 1/3 cup apricots, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon cumin, salt, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in processor. Using on/off turns, chop to coarse puree. Using small sharp knife, make 1/2-inch-deep slits all over brisket. Set aside 1 tablespoon apricot mixture. Press remaining apricot mixture into slits.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 300°F Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle brisket all over with salt and pepper. Add brisket to pot and sauté until brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate, fat side up; spread with reserved 1 tablespoon apricot mixture. Add onions to same pot. Sauté over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Add carrots, ginger, coriander, cayenne pepper, remaining 6 garlic cloves and 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin; sauté 3 minutes. Add wine and boil until reduced almost to glaze, stirring up any browned bits, about 5 minutes. Return brisket to pot. Add stock and bring to simmer. Spoon some of vegetable mixture over brisket.
• Cover pot and place in oven. Roast brisket 2 1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices. Add prunes and remaining 1/3 cup apricots. Cover; roast until brisket is tender, about 30 minutes longer. Cool brisket uncovered 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled overnight.
• Spoon off any solid fat from top of gravy; discard fat. Scrape gravy off brisket into pot. Place brisket on work surface. Slice brisket thinly across grain. Bring gr avy in pot to boil over medium-high heat. Boil to thicken slightly, if desired. Season gravy with salt and pepper. Arrange sliced brisket in large ovenproof dish. Spoon gravy over. Cover with foil. (Can be made 2 days ahead; refrigerate.).
• Rewarm covered brisket in 350°F oven about 30 minutes (or 40 minutes if chilled). Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.