Beef Brisket with Savory Sauteed Apples

Total recipe time: 3 to 4 hours

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

1 boneless beef brisket, flat cut (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons butter
5 cups sliced unpeeled apples, such as Fuji or
    Gala (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/3 cup walnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped

1. Heat oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Place brisket in stockpot; brown evenly. Remove brisket; season with salt and pepper.

2. Reserve 1/2 cup onion for apples. Add remaining onion and garlic to stockpot. Cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Return brisket, fat side up, to stockpot. Add apple cider; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until brisket is fork-tender.

3. Meanwhile, heat butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until melted. Add apples and remaining onion; cook and stir 5 to 7 minutes or until apples are just tender. Add cranberries and brown sugar; cook 4 to 6 minutes or until cranberries are tender and juices are thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in walnuts. Keep warm.

4. Remove brisket; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Bring cooking liquid to a boil. Cook, uncovered, 10 to 12 minutes or until reduced by half, stirring occasionally.

5. Carve brisket diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Serve with reduced cooking liquid and apple mixture.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association.