Pomegranate Brisket Food

POMEGRANATE-BRAISED BRISKET WITH SWEET-AND-SPICY ZHUG

Steps:

• For the brisket: Season the brisket generously on both sides with salt and pepper and let it come to room temperature, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in an 11-by-15-inch flame-proof roasting pan over medium-high heat until shimmering, swirling to coat the pan. Add the brisket, fat-side down, and sear until browned and some fat is rendered, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and sear on the other side for about 4 minutes longer. Remove the brisket from the pan, add the apples and onions and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the apples are slightly browned and the onions just begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
• Turn off the heat. Add the garlic and bay leaf to the pan and toss to combine. Clear a spot in the center and return the brisket fat-side up to the pan. Add the pomegranate juice; it will reach about three-quarters up the sides of the brisket. Cover the pan with a layer of parchment and then cover tightly with aluminum foil (see Cook's Note). Bake for 90 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven. Carefully peel back the foil and parchment at the far end of the pan (not the side closest to you) to avoid being scalded by steam escaping from the pan. Flip the brisket over, fat-side down, and sprinkle the dried cherries evenly around the brisket. Cover tightly again and braise until the brisket is very tender but holds together when sliced, about 90 minutes more.
• Carefully remove the brisket and let it rest on a cutting board. Transfer as much of the fruits and vegetables from the pan to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Strain the braising liquid into a large saucepan and bring to a rapid boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by one-third, about 10 minutes. You should have about 3 cups. Pour it into a large glass measuring cup and let sit until the fat rises to the surface.
• Meanwhile, for the sweet-and-spicy zhug: Place the chile peppers in a food processor followed by the cilantro, parsley, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, cumin, coriander, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt. Pulse until combined, 4 to 5 times, then scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula and process until smooth and fully combined, about 2 minutes. The sauce should be the consistency of pesto. Taste and add more salt if needed. Makes about 1 and 1/2 cups.
• Slice the brisket across the grain and shingle it onto a serving platter, tucking the apples, onions and dried cherries around the meat. Skim off and discard the fat from the braising liquid and pour about 1 1/2 cups over the brisket. Sprinkle all over with the pomegranate seeds. Serve the zhug and remaining braising liquid alongside.

BRAISED BRISKET WITH POMEGRANATE JUICE, CHESTNUTS AND TURNIPS

Steps:

• Place the brisket in a shallow roasting pan fat side up; add 2 1/2 tablespoons salt, the coffee and cardamom; and rub all over the brisket. Cover lightly with foil and refrigerate for two days.
• Preheat a broiler. Place the pan with the brisket under it until the meat is evenly browned and much of the fat rendered, about 15 minutes. Remove, transfer brisket to a platter and turn oven to 300 degrees.
• Pour the fat into a Dutch oven or other heavy covered pan large enough to hold the brisket. There should be about 1/4 cup fat; if needed, add vegetable oil. Place the pan over medium-high heat, and add onions, carrots, garlic and a pinch salt. Sauté until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add turnips, cumin, black pepper and turmeric. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, for 5 minutes.
• Add licorice or licorice tea bag, and pomegranate juice. Stir, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add brisket, bring to a simmer, and baste with the juice.
• Cover the pan tightly and place on the middle rack in the oven. Cook until very tender, about 4 hours, basting every 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and discard licorice or tea bag and garlic halves. If desired, at this point, cool the brisket and vegetables, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• Just before serving, skim the fat and place the pan over medium-low heat. Add chestnuts and reheat just until steaming. Stir in dill and parsley. Transfer brisket to a cutting board and slice against the grain. Serve with vegetables and sauce.

SPICE-RUBBED BRAISED BRISKET

Steps:

• Make the brisket: Heat oven to 300 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the coffee, smoked paprika, coriander, garlic powder, cinnamon, pepper and 2 teaspoons salt. Mix well and rub all over the brisket.
• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium. Add the oil and brown the brisket, taking care not to burn the spices, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add sliced onion, garlic and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the red wine, scrape up any brown bits and reduce the liquid by half. Add the pomegranate juice and stock. Bring to a simmer and return the brisket to the pot with the fatty-side up. Cover with the lid, place in the center of the oven, and braise until fork-tender, about 3 1/2 hours, basting every hour or so.
• Uncover and nestle the cipollini onions in the liquid. Cover and braise in the oven for another 45 minutes. The meat should be very tender. Uncover and carefully transfer the meat to a cutting board. Let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Meanwhile, scoop the cipollini onions into a bowl with a slotted spoon. Pour the sauce into a fat separator or a tall container and remove as much fat as you can. Pour the sauce back into the pot, slice the meat and return it to the pot along with the onions, using a brush or spoon to encourage the sauce between the slices. Heat the broiler with the rack 8 inches from the heat source.
• Partly cover the Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to simmer until the meat is completely warmed through. Remove the lid and transfer the Dutch oven to the broiler. Broil, basting a few times, until the sauce thickens and the top is glazed, about 8 minutes.
• To serve, dress the parsley with the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and sprinkle over top along with the pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately with mashed potatoes.

BRISKET WITH POMEGRANATE-WALNUT SAUCE AND PISTACHIO GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Marinate and cook the brisket:
• Season brisket all over with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large 2-gallon resealable plastic bag or bowl (use roasting pan only if necessary).
• Purée garlic, walnuts, honey, and 1 cup pomegranate juice in a blender until very smooth. Add remaining 2 cups pomegranate juice and blend until smooth. Pour marinade over brisket. Seal bag or cover bowl tightly with foil. Chill, turning occasionally, at least 24 hours or up to 48 hours.
• Transfer brisket and marinade to roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and let sit at room temperature 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 275°F. Bake brisket, covered, until meat shreds easily with 2 forks, about 5 hours; if meat is still tough, continue cooking, covered, 1 hour.
• Transfer brisket to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Transfer cooking liquid to a saucepan and spoon off fat from surface. Cook over medium-high heat, skimming off fat and foam as it surfaces, until reduced by two-thirds (you should have about 2 cups sauce). Season with salt and pepper if necessary.
• Make the gremolata:
• Pulse mint, pistachios, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Drizzle in oil, pulsing until just combined (do not overprocess).
• To serve, slice brisket against the grain and transfer to a platter. Spoon sauce over and top with gremolata.
• Do Ahead
• Brisket can be cooked, without slicing, 2 days ahead. Cover and chill; warm before slicing. Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.