Ingredients

  • 4 c. Canned low-salt chicken broth
  • 1 bot dry white wine, (750-ml)
  • 1/2 c. Brandy
  • 1/3 c. Vegetable oil
  • 2 lb Meaty beef neck bones
  • 3 1/2 lb Onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 lrg Celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 1/2 tsp Whole allspice
  • 6 x Garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp Dry thyme
  • 1 x Flat-cut brisket, (4 1/2- to 5-lb.)
  • 3/4 c. Minced canned tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp. Tomato paste
  • 2 1/2 lb Mixed baby vegetables, (such as zucchini, crookneckand pattypan squashes, turnips, carrots and new potatoes)
  • 8 x Red boiling onions
  • 1/4 c. Margarine, (1/2 stick)
  • 1/4 c. Honey
  • 1 tsp Dry thyme
  • 10 ounce Cherry tomatoes
  • 4 ounce Asparagus tips or possibly sugar snap peas

Method

  • Boil first 3 ingredients in pot till reduced to 4 c., about 25 min.
  • Preheat oven to 325F.
  • Heat oil in large Dutch oven over high heat.
  • Add in bones; saute/fry till well browned, turning occasionally, about 12 min.
  • Transfer bones to bowl.
  • Add in onions, celery and allspice to Dutch oven.
  • Season with salt; cook till onions are golden brown, stirring often, about 25 min.
  • Continue cooking till onions are deep dark brown, scraping bottom of Dutch oven and stirring often, about 15 min more.
  • Add in garlic and thyme; saute/fry 5 min.
  • Transfer onion mix to large roasting pan.
  • Add in 1 c. broth mix to Dutch oven.
  • Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits; transfer to roasting pan.
  • Season brisket generously with salt and pepper.
  • Add in to Dutch oven and brown over high heat, about 5 min per side.
  • Place brisket, fat side up, on onion mix in roasting pan; surround with bones.
  • Add in remaining broth mix and tomatoes to Dutch oven; bring to boil, scraping up browned bits.
  • Pour mix over brisket.
  • Cover roasting pan tightly with heavy-duty foil and place in oven.
  • Bake till brisket is tender, about 3 hrs 45 min.
  • Remove foil.
  • Cold brisket 2 hrs.
  • Chill uncovered 3 hrs.
  • Cover brisket tightly and keep chilled 1 day or possibly up to 3 days.
  • Scrape fat from top of pan juices; throw away fat.
  • Transfer brisket to cutting board, scraping gelled juices off brisket back into roasting pan.
  • Bring contents of roasting pan to simmer.
  • Throw away bones.
  • Pour contents of roasting pan into coarse strainer set over large bowl.
  • Press on solids to release as much liquid as possible.
  • Puree solids in processor, using on/off turns.
  • Mix sufficient puree into juices in bowl to create thick sauce.
  • Add in tomato paste and whisk to blend.
  • Pour sauce into medium saucepan and simmer till heated through.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Slice brisket thinly across grain at slight diagonal angle.
  • Arrange slices in glass baking dish.
  • Drizzle 1/2 c. sauce over; cover with foil.
  • Bring large pot of salted water to boil.
  • Add in all squashes, turnips and carrots and cook till crisp-tender, about 6 min.
  • Using slotted spoon, transfer to large bowl.
  • Add in potatoes to boiling water and cook till just tender, about 12 min.
  • Using slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to same bowl.
  • Add in onions to boiling water and cook till almost tender, about 4 min.
  • Drain and cold slightly.
  • Peel onions; add in to same bowl.
  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Bake brisket till heated through, about 30 min.
  • Meanwhile, boil margarine, honey and thyme in heavy large skillet over high heat till syrup is reduced to 1/3 c., stirring often, about 5 min.
  • Add in cooked vegetables, tomatoes and asparagus; toss till heated, about 5 min.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Arrange brisket on platter.
  • Bring remaining sauce to simmer.
  • Arrange vegetables around brisket.
  • Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.
  • Serves 8 to 10.