While I am a life-long Catholic, I have been blessed since I was a little girl to have been friends and surrounded by loved ones who are of the Jewish faith. I love both of these religions so much and have deep appreciation for how the Jewish traditions also involve lots of amazing food.
A few Sundays ago, this Irish-Italian-Slovak girl tried her first brisket. It was time consuming, so don't try this on a weeknight, but turned out amazing. In addition, my dear friends at
Wine Chateau in New Jersey sent a kosher wine to try with the brisket.
http://www.winechateau.com/?gclid=CNLV1uqPj7YCFRCf4Aod2ToAfw
So here is the a Passover Preview....
Good Better Best style!
Ingredients
1 3-5 lb beef brisket
2 Tsp. olive oil
2 medium onions
6 carrots
8 cloves of garlic peeled
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup dry white wine
3 cups chicken stock
1/4 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf
2 clementines or tangerines
Preheat oven to 325degrees. Season brisket with salt and freshly ground pepper on all sides.
Place Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat and add oil. Brown the brisket on all sides about four minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Add onions, carrots and garlic to the pot. Cook until soft, feel free to add a little extra oil if necessary.
Add vinegar and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add white wine, cook and stir for about three minutes while allowing the liquid to reduce slightly.
Return brisket to the pot and add stock. Bring to a simmer, then add thyme, and bay leaf.
Slice clementines, add to the pot along with the zest of 1/2 of the clementine.
Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 45 minutes at 325 degrees.
Reduce heat to 275 degrees and bake 2-21/2 more hours. Keep an eye and meat thermometer on this as you want to make sure you hit 185 degrees internally but not more.
Let the meat rest on a cutting board.
Slice meat on the bias.
Using a spatula, remove the carrots, onions and garlic from the pot and keep warm. Strain the remaining items in the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer uncovered until slightly thickened. Serve over meat.
I served this with carrots, Texmati rice and the amazing
Alexander Syrah from Wine Chateau.
http://www.winechateau.com/sku1690282_ALEXANDER-SYRAH-750ML-2009
While the kosher wines of the past were very good, the Israeli wines have come a long way. This Syrah from the Galilee region was not only the perfect companion to this Passover prep brisket, it would hold its own at any other type of special gathering. While a little more pricey at around $45 per bottle (although
Wine Chateau has it right now for $32.89), it is a delightful wine to share at your table of family and friends. In addition, if you brought this wine to a Seder, your hosts will be impressed and delighted!
The Alexander Syrah had definite tones of red. luscious fruits with a hint of spice and oak.
If you would like to order the Alexander Syrah, reach out to
Wine Chateau http://www.winechateau.com/sku1690282_ALEXANDER-SYRAH-750ML-2009 and they will ship anywhere.
To make your brisket
Better add one element of organic meat, broth or organic/farmers market/home grown carrots, garlic or clementines. To make
Best add multiple elements of organic meat, broth or organic/farmers market/home grown carrots, garlic or clementines.
Enjoy the
Best Food and Happy Passover!
Patty