Sunday, December 26, 2010

Week Menu 12/26-1/1

This is a repeat week, I had a rough week last week and barely made it to the store let alone actually cooking what I meant to...it happens to the best of us. I only got to the chili, so this week I just subbed that one out and we will try again

Meal One: Coq au vin

Meal Two: Slow-Cooked Brisket in Onion Gravy

Meal Three: Brisket Sloppy Joes


Recipes:

Slow-Cooked Brisket in Onion Gravy

5 lbs flat-cut beef brisket, trimmed
2 T olive oil, divided
4 large onions, thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 t dried thyme
1 t ground pepper
1 6oz can tomato paste
2 c reduced sodium beef broth
1 t salt
2 T butter, softened
2 T flour
1 T Worcestershire sauce
  1. Cut brisket into two or three pieces small enough to fit into a Dutch oven; pat dry. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and brown the brisket one piece at a time, about 2 minutes per side, adding an extra tablespoon of oil if necessary to prevent sticking. Transfer the brisket to a 5-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
  2. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 6 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste. Add beef broth and salt; bring to a boil.
  3. Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker. Cover and cook until the brisket reaches desired tenderness (see Timing Tip, above), 4 to 5 hours on High or 8 to 10 hours on Low.
  4. Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and slice or shred. Place in a serving dish; cover to keep warm. Transfer the gravy to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil rapidly for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Meanwhile, mix butter and flour in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Once the gravy has reduced, lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Whisk half the butter mixture into the gravy and return to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until it thickens slightly, 1 to 3 minutes. If the gravy does not thicken enough (it should have the consistency of a cream soup), add the rest of the butter mixture and repeat. Do not overcook. Serve the brisket with the gravy.
  6. Variation: Use 3 cups leftover brisket and 2 cups gravy to make Brisket Sloppy Joes. Heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 seeded and diced green bell pepper and 1 seeded and minced jalapeño pepper (optional) and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 drained 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add 3 cups chopped Slow-Cooked Brisket, 2 cups Onion Gravy, 2 tablespoons molasses and 2 tablespoons brown sugar; stir well. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors. Serve on warm whole-wheat or onion buns.
Brisket Sloppy Joes
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups chopped Slow-Cooked Brisket (recipe follows)
  • 2 cups Onion Gravy from brisket, or more if desired
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 whole-wheat or onion buns, split and warmed

Preparation

  1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add bell pepper and jalapeño (if using) and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes, chili powder and salt and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add brisket, gravy, molasses and brown sugar; stir well. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors. Serve on warm buns.

Coq Au Vin:
1bottle fruity, smooth, medium-bodied red wine (see note above)
2cups low-sodium chicken broth
10sprigs fresh parsley leaves
2tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
2sprigs fresh thyme
1bay leaf
4ounces bacon , preferably thick-cut, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces
2 1/2pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs , trimmed of excess fat and cut in half crosswise
5tablespoons unsalted butter
24frozen pearl onions , thawed, drained, and patted dry (about 1 cup) (see note above)
8ounces cremini mushrooms , wiped clean, stems trimmed, halved if small and quartered if large
2medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
1tablespoon tomato paste
2tablespoons all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. 1. Bring all but 1 tablespoon wine (reserve for later use), broth, parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay to simmer in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until reduced to 3 cups, about 25 minutes. Discard herbs.

  2. 2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large Dutch oven over medium heat until browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper-towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons fat in small bowl; discard remaining fat.

  3. 3. Lightly season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon reserved bacon fat in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of chicken in single layer and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining chicken and 1 tablespoon bacon fat.

  4. 4. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in now-empty Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When foaming subsides, add pearl onions and mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and flour; cook, stirring frequently, until well combined, about 1 minute.

  5. 5. Add reduced wine mixture, scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits; add 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Return chicken, any accumulated juices, and reserved bacon to pot; increase heat to high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot, and simmer until chicken is tender, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time.

  6. 6. Using slotted spoon, transfer chicken to large bowl; tent with foil to keep warm. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer sauce until thick and glossy and measures 3 cups, about 5 minutes. Off heat, stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and reserved 1 tablespoon wine. Season to taste with salt. Return chicken to pot and top with minced parsley. Serve immediately.


Shopping List

Chicken thighs
5 lb beef brisket
bacon
onions
green bell pepper
jalapeno
cremini mushrooms
garlic
parsley fresh
thyme fresh
frozen pearl onions
chicken broth
tomato paste
one can diced tomatoes
beef broth
butter
molasses
chili powder
brown sugar
red wine
whole wheat or onion buns

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