Beef Brisket With Cherry-Merlot Sauce and Caramelized Onions
Description: This brisket is out-of-this-world! Don’t skimp on the onions – they are the crowning glory of this incredible dish.
Cook Time: 5 hours
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours and 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 – 5 | Beef brisket |
| – | Olive oil |
| 2 | Onions |
| 2 | Carrots |
| 1/2 | Garlic cloves |
| 2 | Plum tomatoes |
| 1 | Bay leaf |
| 2 | Olive oil |
| 1 | Sweet onions |
| 2 | Dried cherries |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 880.6
- Fat Content: 67.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 25.2g
- Cholesterol Content: 165.6mg
- Sodium Content: 160.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 16.4g
- Fiber Content: 2.8g
- Sugar Content: 7.6g
- Protein Content: 40.4g
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C).
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Season the Brisket: Season the beef brisket generously with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
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Brown the Brisket: In a large roasting pan or Dutch oven, warm some olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the brisket and brown it well on all sides, achieving a rich caramelization. Once browned, transfer the brisket to a plate and set aside.
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Prepare the Aromatics: To the same pan, add the onions and carrots. Sauté them until they turn golden, which should take about 6 minutes. Then, add the garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
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Add the Tomatoes and Wine: Introduce the plum tomatoes and their juices to the pan. Pour in 1 cup of the Merlot wine and add the bay leaf. Mix everything well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
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Cook the Brisket: Return the browned brisket to the pan, ensuring it is submerged in the flavorful liquid. Cover the pan tightly with a lid or foil and place it in the preheated oven. Allow the brisket to cook for approximately 3 hours, or until it becomes fork-tender, basting occasionally to keep it moist and flavorful.
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Cool and Refrigerate: Once the brisket is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the juices. Once cooled, transfer the brisket to a deep platter and cover it with aluminum foil. Refrigerate it until it’s cold, which can be done overnight if preferred.
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Prepare the Sauce: While the brisket is chilling, let the pan juices cool as well. Once cooled, strain the juices through a sieve or food mill into a bowl, discarding any solids. Refrigerate the sauce until you’re ready to use it.
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Preheat the Oven (Again): Just before serving, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
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Slice and Warm the Brisket: Thinly slice the chilled brisket and arrange the slices on an oven-proof serving platter. Cover the platter with foil and warm it in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes.
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Caramelize the Onions: While the brisket is warming, heat some olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the sliced sweet onions and sauté them, stirring often, until they turn golden brown and develop a sweet flavor. Season them with salt and pepper to taste, then set them aside.
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Prepare the Cherry-Merlot Sauce: As the onions are caramelizing, pour the remaining cup of Merlot wine into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add 1/4 cup of the dried cherries and allow the mixture to boil until the wine is reduced by half. Then, stir in the reserved brisket juices, bringing the sauce to a boil once again. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve: Remove the warmed brisket from the oven and pour the prepared sauce over the meat. Top it generously with the caramelized onions and sprinkle the remaining dried cherries over the dish for a burst of flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy the tantalizing flavors of this exquisite beef brisket dish!
Whether you’re hosting a special occasion dinner or simply treating your family to a memorable meal, this Beef Brisket With Cherry-Merlot Sauce and Caramelized Onions is sure to impress with its succulent meat, rich sauce, and irresistible caramelized onions, elevating your culinary experience to new heights of flavor and indulgence.
