The Healthy Plate: You can enjoy leaner brisket for Passover

By Jim Romanoff | Wednesday, May 14, 2008

When it comes to a brisket of beef, how healthy a meal it makes all depends on which end you choose.

A whole brisket weighs 10 to 15 pounds and has quite a bit of fat attached to it. But brisket generally is cut into two smaller sections before being sold.

The front cut — sometimes called the point end — is thicker, has more fat and includes the deckle point, which is a very fatty top piece of brisket.

On the other end of the brisket is the flat, or first cut, which is considerably leaner.

A 3-ounce cooked portion of a well-trimmed, first cut brisket has just 7 grams of fat while an equal portion of the fattier point end has twice as much, even if all visible fat has been removed.

Even though the flat end of the brisket has little fat, it is quite flavorful. However, it can be extremely tough if not prepared properly.

Braising is one of the best ways to prepare a brisket flat because it uses moist heat, which is perfect for dissolving the connective tissue that can toughen a cut of meat.

The essentials of this method are to brown the meat first to get the process of caramelizing started, and then to infuse the meat with additional flavor with an assertive braising liquid.

Most importantly, the cooking should happen at a relatively low temperature, say 300 F or 325 F, over a long period of time. Otherwise, the fibers in the meat can shrink too quickly and make it tough.

And always slice a brisket across the grain for the most tender results.

This merlot-braised brisket is relatively easy to make and can feed a good-sized crowd. It is fork-tender but not falling-apart tender. It also slices well.

The braising sauce is made with red wine, celery, onions and a bottle of chili sauce, which adds a whole range of flavors without the need for a lot of individual spices. After the meat cooks, the vegetables and remaining liquid are pureed into a delicious sauce.

This brisket does quite well when prepared ahead of time. After pureeing the braising liquid and vegetables, return the brisket to the sauce without slicing it, allow it to cool off, and then refrigerate for up to two days or freeze for up to two months. If anything, the flavors will improve over time.

When you are ready to serve the brisket, heat it through in the sauce before slicing.

The dish makes a lovely entree for a Seder when prepared with wine that has been made kosher for Passover.

MERLOT-BRAISED BRISKET

4-pound brisket, flat half, trimmed of fat

1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 teaspoons canola oil

2 medium yellow onions, peeled and quartered

6 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

12-ounce bottle chili sauce

1 cup merlot wine

1 cup water

Preheat oven to 325 F. Season the brisket with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over high. Sear the brisket until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the onions and celery to the pan, then return the brisket. Add chili sauce, wine and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover and place in the oven. Cook, covered, for 2 hours.

Uncover, then return to the oven and cook, until the brisket is fork-tender, another 1 to 2 hours. Transfer the brisket to a plate and cover loosely with foil.

Skim the fat off the surface of the braising liquid. Using an immersion stick blender, puree the vegetables and braising liquid in the Dutch oven, until smooth. Alternatively, use a ladle to transfer some of the vegetables and braising liquid in batches to a food processor and puree until smooth. Return the sauce to the Dutch oven. Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.

Return the brisket to the Dutch oven with the sauce and heat on the stovetop until the meat is heated through, about 10 minutes. Slice the brisket into thin slices across the grain and serve topped with the sauce.

Start to finish: 3 hours, 30 minutes.

Servings: 12

Nutrition information per serving: 258 calories; 7 grams fat (2 grams saturated); 62 milligrams cholesterol; 13 grams carbohydrate; 30 grams protein; 1 gram fiber; 1,123 millgrams sodium.