Moroccan-Inspired Brisket with Apricots and Prunes
Equipment
- blender or mini food processor
- Large roasting pan
Ingredients
- 4-5 pound brisket
For rub
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
- ⅓ cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For brisket
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups yellow onions, chopped
- 6 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 medium or large carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- 2 ½ teaspoons cumin, ground
- 1 teaspoon coriander, ground
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 3 cups stock (chicken, lamb, or beef)
- salt and pepper
- ⅓ cup dried apricots, roughly cut
- ⅔ cup pitted prunes, roughly cut
Instructions
Prepare brisket and rub
- Preferably, prepare the brisket the day before cooking it.
- Trim excess fat off brisket.
- Wipe brisket dry with damp paper towel and the wipe dry.
- In blender or mini food processor, pulse together rub ingredients to a coarse puree.
- Make slits all over brisket (top, bottom, and sides).
- Insert puree into slits, using fingers and a knife tip to push puree in as far as possible.
- Place brisket in large plastic bag or wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate brisket up to 24 hours.
Cook brisket
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Unwrap brisket.
- Scrape off any puree that may have seeped out of the meat.
- On stovetop, heat oil in large roasting pan.
- Brown brisket on both sides. Seat to carmelize the meat, but don't let the meat develop a hard, brown crust.
- Transfer brisket to a platter, fat side up, and set aside.
- Add onions to pan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and golden.
- Add garlic cloves, carrots, and ginger. Saute 3 minutes.
- Add cumin, coriander, and cayenne, then add wine. Boil, stirring and scaping up any brown bits from pan bottom, until liquie is reduced almost to a glaze.
- Add stock and bring to a simmer.
- Spread any reserved puree over the brisket, and sprinkle brisket with salt and pepper.
- Add brisket to roasting pan, cover the pan, and place in preheated oven.
- After 45 minutes, reduce heat from 350° to 275° F.
- Every ½ hour or so, baste brisket with pan juices.
- About 30 minutes before meat is done, stir in roughly chopped apricots and prunes.
- Allow brisket to cook as long as you like, at least 3-4 hours.
Serving
- You can serve the brisket after it has cooled a bit.
- You can bring the gravy to a boil and season to taste with salt and pepper OR you can cover and refrigerate the brisket overnight, scrape off any solid fat and discard.
Notes
Adapted from Jewish Holiday Cooking by Jayne Cohen.