Grandma Alice's Brisket

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No Jewish holiday is complete at our house without Grandma Alice's brisket. She may not be around anymore, but her recipe lives on. The meat always comes out tender, and moist and the gravy is redolent with onions and tomato flavor. It's a simple dish, one that cooks without constant attention and always leaves the crowd satiated. It also can be made a day in advance, and then warmed before slicing.


Grandma Alice’s Chuck Brisket  
Serves 8-10          
 
1 “First Cut” Brisket (5-7 lbs.)
2-4 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
3 yellow onions, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
3 cups Tomato juice (preferably organic/ no salt added)
 
Rinse meat, pat dry. Rub ½ of paprika on fatty side of meat.  Put in hot pan to brown (each side about 5 minutes.)  Rub remaining paprika on other side- crown. Remove meat once browned on both sides. 

Make a bed of onions and half of the garlic in roasting pan.  Place brisket on top.  Scatter remaining garlic on top.  Put ½ cup of water, ½ cup of tomato juice in the pan used to brown the meat.  Scrape paprika and browned bits into liquid mixture.  Pour over brisket.

Pour an additional 2 ½ cups of tomato juice over brisket.  Cover with foil.  Cook 3-4 hours until soft.  Best cooled over night.  (Separate sauce from meat) Slice meat cold.  Put in pan, cover with sauce with fat removed.  Heat covered until hot.