Sweet-And-Sour Flanken

gregory schulte's Note:

Flanken and brisket were popular cuts of meat with Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century, and frequently appear on Jewish holiday menus. From Eric and Bruce Bromberg of Manhattan's Blue Ribbon Restaurant, and posted in The Denver Post.

• Total Time: 4 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

Braise

• 12 pieces beef flank steak , cut to 3 bones each (a strip of beef cut from the chuck end of the short ribs)
• 4 whole carrots
• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1 large yellow onion
• 1 head garlic , cut in half
• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorn
• 2 cups port wine or 2 cups manischewitz concord grape wine
• 4 cups red wine
• 4 cups chicken stock

Sauce

• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 (12 ounce) jar honey
• 3 cups diced carrots
• 3 cups dices shallots
• 2 cups port wine or 2 cups manischewitz concord grape wine
• to taste salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a large heavy-bottomed stockpot, combine all braising ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, skimming any foam that forms until meat is tender but not falling off the bone, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
3. Remove meat and set aside.
4. Simmer remaining liquid another 15 minutes to reduce.
5. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, prepare sauce by combining cider and red wine vinegar and honey.
6. Bring to a a boil then add carrots and shallots and cook at a boil until soft, but not fully cooked, about 10 minutes.
7. Add wine.
8. Once braising liquid in stockpot has reduced, use a slotted spoon to remove and discard solids, then carefully pour liquid through a mesh strainer and into saucepan with vinegars and honey.
9. Bring liquid to a simmer and cook until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 20-30 minutes.
10. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Add flanken, cover pot and cook until sauce is coating meat, about 15 minutes.
12. Serve flanken over egg noodles or kugel.
13. Accompany with a basket of toasted challah, honey and sea salt.