This is my take on the dish my mother served at virtually every special-occasion dinner of my childhood. I make brisket over several days. The first day, the seasoned meat is refrigerated overnight and the next day, it's cooked. The brisket can be served then, but its flavor and texture are far better if it is allowed to rest in its braising liquid for another night, then warmed, sliced, and served the following day.
Main Course
6-8
Michael Solomonov from the Zahav cookbook
2 tablespoons finely ground coffee
2 tablespoons Yemen N10 blend
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 brisket (first cut or flat cut, about 4 pounds)
¼ cup canola oil
2 large onions, sliced
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
10 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
⅓ cup tomato paste
1 ½ cups dried apricots
2 cups brewed coffee
8 large eggs, in their shells
Grated fresh horseradish
Mix the ground coffee, Yemen N10, and salt in a small bowl and rub into the brisket. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Set a rack inside a roasting pan. Put the brisket on the rack and roast until the exterior has browned, about 20 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 300°F.
Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened but not browned, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook until it reduces slightly, about 2 more minutes.
Transfer the vegetables to the roasting pan with the rack removed. Add the brisket, 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. 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°F. Slice the cold brisket, return to the braising liquid, and bake until warmed through, about 30 minutes. Spoon the broth over the meat. Serve with the peeled eggs and grated fresh horseradish.
Recipe by Michael Solomonov from the Zahav cookbook
Photos © Michael Persico
Flavor boost: Use a second-cut, also known as a point-cut brisket. It is fattier and a bit more irregularly shaped, and has a deeper flavor and more luscious texture when cooked. You can skim off any excess fat once the braising liquid has cooled if you like.
For a similar but more aromatically complex version, try substituting 3 tablespoons of our Cara blend for the ground coffee and Yemen N10.
Questions? Contact helen@laboiteny.com
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New York, New York
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