Mikes Brisket Recipes

MY MOM'S COFFEE-BRAISED BRISKET

Steps:

• Mix the ground coffee, salt, cardamom and black cardamom in a small bowl and rub into the brisket. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Put the brisket in a roasting pan and roast until the exterior has browned, about 20 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees.
• Warm 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onions, carrots and the garlic, cut-side down. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and browned, about 15 minutes, adding more oil if necessary. Add the tomato paste and cook until it reduces slightly, about 2 more minutes.
• Transfer the vegetables to the roasting pan with the brisket. Add the dried apricots, brewed coffee and eggs in their shells. Add enough water to bring the liquid halfway up the side of the brisket.
• Cover the pan tightly with two layers of foil, return to the oven and braise for 1 hour. Remove the eggs, gently tap them all over to make a network of small cracks and return them to the braise. Recover the pan with foil and continue cooking until the brisket shreds easily with a fork, about 3 more hours. Let the brisket cool in its braising liquid, then refrigerate overnight.
• To serve, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Peel the cold eggs and slice the cold brisket, then return them both to the braising liquid and bake until warmed through, about 30 minutes. Serve the brisket slices with the peeled eggs, grated fresh horseradish and parsley leaves and spoon the broth over top.

MIKE'S BRISKET

Steps:

• Poke holes all over brisket with fork.
• Mix all ingredients except brisket, and marinate brisket in 1/2 of the sauce overnight.
• Place whole brisket on hot grill to sear and brown fat.
• Remove from grill and place in foilware pan.
• Cover pan tightly with foil, close hood, and cook on low heat for about 4 hours, or until meat is tender.
• For best results, use a meat thermometer.
• It should be 170 degrees F for medium.
• Slice brisket very thinly across grain at an angle.
• Heat remaining 1/2 of sauce, pour over slices and serve.

BRISKET

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a large enameled cast iron casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season the brisket with salt and pepper. Add half of the brisket to the casserole and cook over medium-high heat, turning on all sides until browned, about 6 minutes. Transfer the brisket to a plate. Repeat with the remaining oil and remaining brisket. Add the celery, carrot, onion, and chile to the casserole and cook over medium heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until glossy, about 2 minutes. Add the thyme sprigs, anchovies, bay leaf, and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the stock, wine, and vinegar and bring to a boil. Return the brisket to the casserole, cover and braise for 1 hour. Drop the heat to 225 degrees F and cook 4 more hours or until meat is tender.

SPICE-RUBBED BRAISED BRISKET

Steps:

• Make the brisket: Heat oven to 300 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the coffee, smoked paprika, coriander, garlic powder, cinnamon, pepper and 2 teaspoons salt. Mix well and rub all over the brisket.
• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium. Add the oil and brown the brisket, taking care not to burn the spices, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add sliced onion, garlic and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the red wine, scrape up any brown bits and reduce the liquid by half. Add the pomegranate juice and stock. Bring to a simmer and return the brisket to the pot with the fatty-side up. Cover with the lid, place in the center of the oven, and braise until fork-tender, about 3 1/2 hours, basting every hour or so.
• Uncover and nestle the cipollini onions in the liquid. Cover and braise in the oven for another 45 minutes. The meat should be very tender. Uncover and carefully transfer the meat to a cutting board. Let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Meanwhile, scoop the cipollini onions into a bowl with a slotted spoon. Pour the sauce into a fat separator or a tall container and remove as much fat as you can. Pour the sauce back into the pot, slice the meat and return it to the pot along with the onions, using a brush or spoon to encourage the sauce between the slices. Heat the broiler with the rack 8 inches from the heat source.
• Partly cover the Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to simmer until the meat is completely warmed through. Remove the lid and transfer the Dutch oven to the broiler. Broil, basting a few times, until the sauce thickens and the top is glazed, about 8 minutes.
• To serve, dress the parsley with the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and sprinkle over top along with the pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately with mashed potatoes.