Cider and Butternut Squash Brisket - Imbibe Magazine Subscribe + Save

Cider and Butternut Squash Brisket

cider brisket

cider brisket-vertical-crdt-caren alpertPacific Northwest deli maven Nick Zukin—co-founder of Portland, Oregon’s Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen, Bagelworks and Deli Bar—brings his brand of modern Jewish cuisine to the home kitchen in his new book, The Artisan Jewish Deli at Home. The book, for which Zukin partnered with Portland food writer Michael Zusman (who also developed the bread recipes used at the Kenny & Zuke’s spots), offers fresh takes on all the classics, from corned beef to cabbage rolls. This brisket recipe, which utilizes the acidity of apple cider and red wine to help tenderize the beef, is our top pick for autumn, when fresh cider and sweet butternut squash are in steady supply.

3 lbs. beef brisket
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. vegetable or canola oil
4 cups apple cider
2 cups dry red wine
6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme
4 large cloves garlic, smashed
2 bay leaves
1 (2-lb.) butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-inch chunks
3 medium red onions, peeled and quartered, leaving the root intact

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 300 degrees F. If needed, trim the excess fat from the brisket so that there is about a ¼-inch-thick layer remaining. Pat the brisket dry with paper towels and season it generously with salt and pepper. Select a Dutch oven or stainless-steel roasting pan that will be large enough to accommodate the brisket, vegetables and braising liquid. Heat the pan over medium-high heat, and then add the oil. When the oil just begins to smoke, add the brisket, fat side down first, and brown it on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Remove the brisket from the pan and set aside.

Carefully pour off and discard all of the fat from the pan. Quickly add the cider, wine, thyme sprigs, garlic, bay leaves and 1 tsp. salt and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Return the meat to the pan, fat side up, with any accumulated juices. Nestle the meat into the liquid so it is nearly covered. Increase the heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil. Cover the pan tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer it to the oven.

Cook the meat for 1½ hours, and turn the meat over in the pan. Cover and return the brisket to the oven. After another 1¾ hours of cooking, add the squash and onions to the pan, nestling them under and around the brisket. Continue cooking until the squash and onions are tender when pierced with a fork and the meat is very tender and easily shreds, 30 to 45 minutes longer. To test the brisket for doneness, use two forks to gently pull the meat apart in the center. If it is still a bit tough but the squash and onions are done, transfer the vegetables to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon; set them aside, covered with aluminum foil to keep warm. Continue to braise the brisket for about 15 minutes more, and then retest. The internal temperature should be 195 degrees F. for lean brisket, or 205 degrees F. if it is a fattier brisket.

When the brisket is done, transfer it to a cutting board, fat side up, while you finish the sauce. Decrease the oven temperature to 200 degrees F. Remove the butternut squash and onions from the braising liquid using a slotted spoon and place them in an ovenproof dish (if you did not do this earlier). Taste the vegetables and season them with salt, if needed. Cover the dish and put the vegetables in the oven to stay hot.

Strain the braising liquid into a small bowl, discarding the solids. Allow the fat to separate, and then skim and discard it. Clean out the pan and pour the braising liquid back in. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is reduced to a thickened sauce that coats the back of a spoon, 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Cut the brisket against the grain into ½-inch-thick slices or, if it is too tender to slice, pull it apart into large chunks. Arrange the vegetables on a large serving platter, with the sliced brisket in the center. Spoon the sauce over the brisket and vegetables. Garnish with the minced thyme. Serve immediately, passing any remaining sauce at the table.

Serves 6.

Reprinted with permission from The Artisan Jewish Deli at Home by Nick Zukin and Michael Zusman (Andrews McMeel Publishing, August 2013).

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