While I’m saddened that the summer’s coming to an end, I’m excited by the Fall and the promise it brings, along with all of the Jewish Holidays that provide comfort with recipes from my childhood. My mother’s brisket, of course, is at the top of my mind going into Rosh Hashana.
Fall comfort in one pot
I’ve carried on her tradition, and now serve it to my family year after year, but I’ve also added my own flair, by putting an Asian spin on it. Infusing the brisket with Chinese five spice, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar gives a richness and depth to the braising liquid. See the recipe below!
The Basics for your Braise.
Asian Brisket
In light of all the recent tragedies that nature has thrust upon us, those of us who are able to must be grateful for the blessings that we do have. Whatever your current circumstances, I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Ingredients
- 4 pounds flat cut beef brisket
- 5 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 Asian pears, cored, peeled, and cut into chunks
- 2 yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 4-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 1/2 tablespoon five spice powder
- 3 pieces star anise
- 1 tablespoon clove
- 6 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 large daikon, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- 2 Chopped cilantro, for garnish
- 2 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
- Using paper towels, pat the brisket dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of the canola oil over medium-high heat in a large, ovenproof pot with a tight-fitting lid, such as a Dutch oven.
- Add the brisket, fat-side down, and sear on both sides until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side.
- While the brisket is cooking, combine the pears, soy sauce, hoisin, and rice wine vinegar in a blender and purée.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
- Remove the brisket from the pot and set aside on a platter to rest.
- Heat the remaining canola oil over medium-high and add the onions.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste and cook, stirring periodically, until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 15 minutes.
- Add the ginger, garlic, and spices and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add the brisket and its juices back to the pot with the puréed pear mixture and beef broth.
- Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling set the pot in the oven and bake for 3 hours, stirring the cooking liquid once or twice.
- After 3 hours, add the carrots, daikon, and brown sugar and stir, making sure the vegetables are submerged as much as possible in the cooking liquid.
- Return the pot to the oven and cook until the meat and vegetables are tender, about 1 hour more.
- Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and tent with foil.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the carrots and daikon to a dish and keep warm.
- Strain the braising liquid to remove the cloves and star anise, then return to the pot and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Cut the brisket against the grain and serve on a platter with the vegetables and braising liquid spooned on top.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and whole cilantro leaves.