Brisket With Dried Apricots, Prunes & Aromatic Spices

This is an extraordinary flavourful, moist, and tender brisket. Recipe is from Jayne Cohen, printed in "Bon Appétit Magazine" (April 2002). It is Kosher for Passover. Begin this at least one day ahead. Try chilling the meat separately from the gravy; it makes removing the fat from the gravy much easier. Read through entire directions before beginning.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2⁄3 cup  quartered  dried apricot (about 4 ounces)
• 9  large garlic cloves
• 3 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 1⁄2-5  lbs  flat-cut beef brisket
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 4  cups  chopped onions
• 2  medium carrots, coarsely chopped
• 1  tablespoon  minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1  teaspoon ground coriander
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1  cup dry red wine
• 3  cups  homemade beef stock or 3  cups  canned low sodium beef broth
• 2⁄3 cup  pitted prunes, quartered
•  chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Combine 1/3 cup apricots, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon cumin, salt, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in processor. Using on/off turns, chop to coarse puree. Using small sharp knife, make 1/2-inch-deep slits all over brisket. Set aside 1 tablespoon apricot mixture. Press remaining apricot mixture into slits.
2. Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 300°F Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle brisket all over with salt and pepper. Add brisket to pot and sauté until brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate, fat side up; spread with reserved 1 tablespoon apricot mixture. Add onions to same pot. Sauté over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Add carrots, ginger, coriander, cayenne pepper, remaining 6 garlic cloves and 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin; sauté 3 minutes. Add wine and boil until reduced almost to glaze, stirring up any browned bits, about 5 minutes. Return brisket to pot. Add stock and bring to simmer. Spoon some of vegetable mixture over brisket.
3. Cover pot and place in oven. Roast brisket 2 1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices. Add prunes and remaining 1/3 cup apricots. Cover; roast until brisket is tender, about 30 minutes longer. Cool brisket uncovered 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled overnight.
4. Spoon off any solid fat from top of gravy; discard fat. Scrape gravy off brisket into pot. Place brisket on work surface. Slice brisket thinly across grain. Bring gr avy in pot to boil over medium-high heat. Boil to thicken slightly, if desired. Season gravy with salt and pepper. Arrange sliced brisket in large ovenproof dish. Spoon gravy over. Cover with foil. (Can be made 2 days ahead; refrigerate.).
5. Rewarm covered brisket in 350°F oven about 30 minutes (or 40 minutes if chilled). Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.