| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 4 hours – 5 hours | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 395 | 27g | 10g | 5g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 1g | 1g | 23g | 1.06g |
Why I Love New Zealand Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Red Wine Gravy
As someone born and bred in the heart of New York City, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the diverse cultural collection of dishes that my home city offers. Yet, while I focus on capturing the essence of NYC’s eclectic culinary scene, I have a special place in my heart for the Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Red Wine Gravy, an authentic New Zealand creation. The rich integration of different flavors paired with the succulent brisket reminds me of the city’s diverse palette, and it’s one that I’m excited to share with everyone on Your Gourmet Guru.
A Recipe That Crosses Borders
The Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Red Wine Gravy is more than just a hearty dish—it’s a testament to New Zealand’s unique cuisine. Although my roots may be grounded in New York, I can’t ignore the impact of different cuisines like this Kiwi dish that make up the melting pot that is my city. Cooking is like performing on stage—it’s a mix of improvisation and emotion. Drawing a parallel to my career in theater, I thrive on experimenting with diverse flavors and daring combinations. But sometimes, it’s about going back to basics and appreciating a traditional dish like this New Zealand classic.
A Spoonful of Inspiration
The tenderness of the beef, accentuated by the rich, savory red wine gravy brings to mind the excellence of Gordon Ramsay’s infamous short ribs with red wine recipe. It’s hearty, comforting, and full of flavor, pulling from different culinary cultures—just like NYC’s vibrant culinary scene.
Perfect Partners
This dish goes incredibly well with a myriad of sides. I personally recommend a simple mashed potato or even a creamy polenta, both of which complement the robust flavors of the brisket and gravy nicely. I often refer to Nigel Slater for some of his traditional mashed potato recipes, or Nigella Lawson’s recipes for a comforting creamy polenta.
Why This is No Ordinary Brisket
In essence, what makes the Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Red Wine Gravy so special is its divine simplicity. The dish creates subtle harmonies between the beef and the red wine, interlacing aromas and tastes into one wholesome meal. Not merely a dish, but an experience, an adventure – a journey that I find equally exciting every time I cook it. This recipe is proof that sometimes, less is indeed more.
What You’ll Need
- 3 lb beef brisket
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Method
Step One
Season your beef brisket generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
Step Two
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the brisket and sear it on all sides until nicely browned. Take your time on this step as it adds a lot of flavor to the final dish.
Step Three
Remove the brisket from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add the sliced onion, minced garlic, chopped carrot, and chopped celery stalk. Cook till the vegetables become soft and aromatic.
Step Four
Pour in the red wine, let it come to a gentle boil and continue to cook until it is reduced by half. This could take around 10-15 minutes.
Step Five
Add the beef stock to the pan and stir well. Now, add in the beef brisket and put the rosemary and thyme sprigs on top.
Step Six
Cover and let it simmer over low heat for about 4-5 hours, or until the beef brisket is tender and easy to pull apart with a fork.
Step Seven
Once the brisket is tender, remove it from the pan and keep warm. Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan, discard the solids.
Step Eight
Whisk the cornstarch and water mixture into the cooking liquid. Bring this to a boil and let it simmer until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
Step Nine
Slice the brisket and serve with the red wine gravy. Enjoy your slow-cooked beef brisket with a side of mashed potatoes or your choice of vegetables.
