Poached Brisket of Beef with Salsa Verde
Photo: Thayer Allyson Gowdy; Styling: Robyn Valarik
Most butchers divide a whole brisket into the flat half or first cut, which is lean and squarish, and the point cut, which is fattier and triangular—and more flavorful and tender. (Save the leftover broth for soup or risotto.)
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Poach brisket: Trim excess fat from outside of brisket. Put meat in a large pot and add enough water to cover by 1 in. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, skimming any foam from surface. Add onions, celery, carrots, parsley, bay leaves, and tomatoes, crushing tomatoes between your fingers as you add them. Add salt. Cover partially and simmer gently until brisket feels tender when probed with a fork, 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Cool in broth, then chill overnight.
Step 2
2
Skim off any congealed fat. Reheat brisket in the broth over medium-low heat.
Step 3
3
Make salsa verde: In a bowl, combine oil, parsley, anchovies, shallots, capers, and lemon zest and juice. Stir in bread crumbs and egg and season with salt.
Step 4
4
Transfer brisket pieces to a cutting board. Using a very sharp knife, cut meat against the grain into 1/2-in.-thick slices, then into 2-in. pieces. Arrange pieces in a single layer on a platter and drizzle with a little of the hot broth to moisten them. Dollop salsa verde onto meat. Serve immediately, with extra salsa on the side.
Step 5
5
Make ahead: Brisket, up to 2 days through step Salsa, up to 4 hours, covered and chilled.
Step 6
6
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
Ingredients
Brisket
3 pounds beef brisket in one piece, preferably the point cut (also called deckle cut or tip)
2 yellow onions, peeled and halved
2 celery ribs, cut into 1-in. chunks
2 carrots, cut into 1-in. chunks
12 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
2 bay leaves
4 canned plum tomatoes
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Salsa verde
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
8 anchovy fillets, minced
2 tablespoons minced shallots
2 tablespoons salt-packed capers, rinsed and minced
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3/4 cup fine soft bread crumbs (from crustless day-old bread, whirled in a food processor)
1 hard-cooked egg, chopped medium fine
Kosher salt to taste
Directions
Step 1
1
Poach brisket: Trim excess fat from outside of brisket. Put meat in a large pot and add enough water to cover by 1 in. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, skimming any foam from surface. Add onions, celery, carrots, parsley, bay leaves, and tomatoes, crushing tomatoes between your fingers as you add them. Add salt. Cover partially and simmer gently until brisket feels tender when probed with a fork, 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Cool in broth, then chill overnight.
Step 2
2
Skim off any congealed fat. Reheat brisket in the broth over medium-low heat.
Step 3
3
Make salsa verde: In a bowl, combine oil, parsley, anchovies, shallots, capers, and lemon zest and juice. Stir in bread crumbs and egg and season with salt.
Step 4
4
Transfer brisket pieces to a cutting board. Using a very sharp knife, cut meat against the grain into 1/2-in.-thick slices, then into 2-in. pieces. Arrange pieces in a single layer on a platter and drizzle with a little of the hot broth to moisten them. Dollop salsa verde onto meat. Serve immediately, with extra salsa on the side.
Step 5
5
Make ahead: Brisket, up to 2 days through step Salsa, up to 4 hours, covered and chilled.
Step 6
6
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
