Balsamic Braised Brisket With Shallots and Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 (3 pounds) brisket
• fine sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 10 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled, divided
• 3 tablespoons of margarine, divided
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 6 whole shallots, peeled
• 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup of red wine
• 14.5 ounces of crushed tomatoes

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Season the brisket on both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Using the tip of a sharp knife, cut shallow slits all along the brisket. Cut 5 of the garlic cloves in half. Place a piece of garlic into each slit.
4. Place 2 tablespoons of the margarine and the oil into a large skillet or pot set over medium heat. When the margarine is melted and hot, add the meat. You should hear it sear on contact. Let cook for 8 minutes. Don’t move it around.
5. After 8 minutes, lift the meat up, add 1 tablespoon margarine to the pan, and turn the meat over. Sear on the second side for 8 minutes.
6. Remove the brisket to a baking pan. Surround the brisket with potatoes, shallots, and 5 whole cloves.
7. Add balsamic vinegar and wine to the skillet or pan. Add the tomatoes. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to combine.
8. While the mixture cooks down, scrape up the browned bits from the pan; a wooden spoon works well here. Pour the balsamic mixture over brisket and vegetables. Add the water to just cover the brisket.
9. Place in the oven and bake 2-2 1/2 hours, covered. Allow cooling before slicing.