Beef Brisket with Roasted Grapes

For the tenderest brisket, all you need is a little patience. Slow-braise the meat ahead of time, then refrigerate overnight to blend the flavors. The carrots, grapes, and pearl onions add even more flavor. The pan drippings make great tasting homemade gravy. Serve this as a Sunday dinner with the entire family.

Top ideas for dinner tonight:

• 30-minute (or less) spring dinners
• Quick and easy chicken dishes
• Garden-fresh entrée salads

ingredients

• 1 5- to 6- lb. beef brisket
• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
• 1 lb. onions, chopped (about 3-3/4 cups)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. ground ginger
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 cups red wine, such a shiraz
• 1 14-oz. can beef or chicken broth
• 1 lb. carrots, peeled
• 1 lb. pearl onions, peeled*
• 4 cups seedless red grapes
• 2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Trim excess fat from brisket; set brisket aside. In a roasting pan with cover, cook chopped onions and garlic in hot oil until onions are tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add ginger; cook and stir 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Season brisket with salt and pepper; place brisket on onion mixture. Add wine and broth. Cover; roast for 2 hours.
2. Remove cover; add carrots. Roast, uncovered, 45 to 60 minutes more or until carrots are just tender.
3. Remove brisket from oven; stir in pearl onions. Cover; let stand for 30 minutes. Transfer meat and vegetables to storage container. Cover and refrigerate meat and vegetables in one container and pan juices in another. Refrigerate all overnight (12 to 24 hours).
4. Before serving, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove fat from pan juices; discard fat. Transfer juices to saucepan; boil gently, uncovered, about 20 minutes until reduced to 2-1/4 cups. While brisket is cold, slice off any excess fat. Slice meat against the grain; slice carrots diagonally in 2-inch pieces. Return brisket and vegetables to roasting pan. Add grapes, herbs, and reduced juices. Cover and reheat in oven for 45 minutes. Transfer brisket, grapes, onions, and carrots to platter. Discard herb sprigs.
5. For gravy, in a small saucepan combine oil and flour; stir in pan juices. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Serve with brisket. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
6. *Test Kitchen Tip: To peel pearl onions, place whole onions in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. Cut off end of each onion and squeeze gently to remove skin.