Brisket With Dried Apricots, Prunes & Aromatic Spices

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup quartered dried apricot (about 4 ounces)
• 9 large garlic cloves
• 3 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 1/2-5 lbs flat-cut beef brisket
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups chopped onions
• 2 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 3 cups homemade beef stock or canned low sodium beef broth
• 2/3 cup pitted prunes, quartered
• chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. 1

   Combine 1/3 cup apricots, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon cumin, salt, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in processor. Using on/off turns, chop to coarse puree. Using small sharp knife, make 1/2-inch-deep slits all over brisket. Set aside 1 tablespoon apricot mixture. Press remaining apricot mixture into slits.

2. 2

   Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 300°F Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle brisket all over with salt and pepper. Add brisket to pot and sauté until brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate, fat side up; spread with reserved 1 tablespoon apricot mixture. Add onions to same pot. Sauté over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Add carrots, ginger, coriander, cayenne pepper, remaining 6 garlic cloves and 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin; sauté 3 minutes. Add wine and boil until reduced almost to glaze, stirring up any browned bits, about 5 minutes. Return brisket to pot. Add stock and bring to simmer. Spoon some of vegetable mixture over brisket.

3. 3

   Cover pot and place in oven. Roast brisket 2 1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices. Add prunes and remaining 1/3 cup apricots. Cover; roast until brisket is tender, about 30 minutes longer. Cool brisket uncovered 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled overnight.

4. 4

   Spoon off any solid fat from top of gravy; discard fat. Scrape gravy off brisket into pot. Place brisket on work surface. Slice brisket thinly across grain. Bring gr avy in pot to boil over medium-high heat. Boil to thicken slightly, if desired. Season gravy with salt and pepper. Arrange sliced brisket in large ovenproof dish. Spoon gravy over. Cover with foil. (Can be made 2 days ahead; refrigerate.).

5. 5

   Rewarm covered brisket in 350°F oven about 30 minutes (or 40 minutes if chilled). Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.