Holiday Beef Brisket Recipes

Steps:

• Place onions in a greased shallow roasting pan; top with brisket. Combine the ketchup, paprika and garlic powder; spread over brisket. Dissolve bouillon in hot water; pour into pan. Cover and bake at 325° for 1-1/2 hours. , Add the potatoes, carrots and celery. Cover and bake 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours longer or until meat and vegetables are tender., Remove brisket to a serving platter; let stand for 10 minutes. Thinly slice meat across the grain. Serve with vegetables.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne. Season brisket generously on all sides with salt mixture. (Use about 2 tablespoons and reserve remaining mixture.) If possible, wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight, then bring to room temperature.
• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place brisket in a shallow roasting pan or earthenware baking dish. Pour wine and 2 cups water over the brisket, then add cloves, garlic, bay leaves and allspice berries.
• Scatter about 1/3 of the sliced onions over brisket. Cover with foil or a tight-fitting lid. Place in oven and bake for about 3 hours or until meat is quite tender when probed with a fork. (Be careful not to overcook; you want slices, not shreds.)
• Meanwhile, place a large skillet over high heat and add olive oil. Add remaining onions and season with remaining salt mixture. As onions begin to brown, reduce heat to medium. Cook, uncovered, turning onion slices with a spatula every few minutes until caramelized and fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water to onions and simmer a few minutes more. (For more flavor, use broth from the brisket pan instead.) Onions may be prepared in advance and reheated.
• To serve, transfer brisket to a cutting board. Trim extraneous fat from meat. With a large knife, cut meat across the grain into 1/4-inch slices. Strain braising liquid into a saucepan (discard solids left in strainer) and skim any rising fat from surface.
• Arrange sliced meat on a platter. Cover with caramelized onions and ladle some hot braising liquid over. Garnish with parsley sprigs and sprinkle with scallions, if using. Serve remaining juices separately.

Steps:

• Fill a 1-quart FoodSaver Vacuum Seal Bag with 1 cup (130 g) fresh cranberries, and another with 1 bunch each of fresh thyme, sage, and rosemary.
• To seal the bag, turn the latch on the FoodSaver to the open position and open the lid. Place the open end of the bag into the Vacuum Channel (Drip Tray) and close the lid. Turn the latch to the Operate position. Press the Vacuum button to begin the vacuum and sealing process. The motor will continue to run until the bag is fully vacuumed, then will automatically seal. When Seal indicator light turns off, turn the latch to the Open position, open the lid and remove the bag.
• Repeat with the other bag, then place in the freezer until ready to use.
• Make the seasoning rub: Open the vacuumed-sealed bags of frozen cranberries and herbs and add ½ cup of the cranberries, 2 tablespoons each of the thyme, sage, and rosemary leaves, and the garlic cloves to a food processor. Pulse for 1-2 minutes, or until everything is finely chopped. Add the olive oil and blend for 10 seconds, or until well combined.
• Make the brisket: Place the brisket on a plate and cover evenly with the seasoning rub and then place inside a 1-gallon FoodSaver Vacuum Seal Bag allowing for at least 3 inches of space between the contents and the open end of the bag.
• To seal the bag, turn the latch on the FoodSaver to the open position and open the lid. Place the open end of the bag into the Vacuum Channel (Drip Tray) and close the lid. Turn the latch to the Operate position. Press the Mode button (on the left side of the lid near the Seal Button) until Moist is illuminated. Press the Vacuum button to begin the vacuum and sealing process. The motor will continue to run until the bag is fully vacuumed, then will automatically seal. When Seal indicator light turns off, turn the latch to the Open position, open the lid and remove the bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
• When ready to cook the brisket, preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot.
• Cut below the seal of the brisket bag, releasing the vacuum seal and remove the brisket.
• Place the brisket, fat-side down into the cast iron pan and sear for 4-6 minutes, until a thick, golden crust forms. Repeat with the remaining sides of the brisket, then transfer to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the shallot and remaining ½ cup cranberries to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the shallot is soft and starting to brown. Add the beef broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and salt and bring to a simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the braising liquid over the brisket.
• Scatter 2-3 sprigs each of thyme, sage, and rosemary around the brisket and cover the baking dish tightly with foil.
• Transfer to the oven and bake until the brisket can be pierced with a fork with little to no resistance, 3-3½ hours.
• Slice the brisket against the grain into ¼-inch slices and serve with the braising liquid ladled on top.
• To save leftovers, place with the brisket in a FoodSaver zipper bag and seal according to the instructions in step 6. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Place meat in roasting pan.
• Mix next 4 ingredients in large bowl until blended. Add onions; toss to coat. Pour evenly over meat. Cover with foil; pierce foil in several places with sharp knife or fork to vent.
• Bake 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until done (160°F). Let stand, covered, 10 min. before slicing. Serve with meat drippings.