Dinner: Beef Brisket with Lemon-Oregano Sauce

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup chopped oregano leaves (about 2 bunches)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns
1 tablespoon juniper berries, crushed
One 6-pound first-cut brisket, with fat cap attached (see Note)
2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium broth
2 quarts water

Instructions

prepare the brisket In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, combine the olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, peppercorns and juniper. Put the brisket in the pot, fat side up, and rub the garlic-oregano mixture all over it. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
prepare the brisket Add the broth and water to the casserole; the brisket should be submerged. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer for about 3 1/2 hours, turning the brisket halfway, until the meat is very tender. Transfer the brisket fat side up to a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Skim the fat from the surface of the broth; boil until reduced to 2 cups, about 30 minutes.
make the sauce In a food processor, puree the lemon juice, garlic, 1/4 cup of the oregano and the oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in the remaining oregano.
make the sauce Preheat the oven to 450 °. Roast the brisket on the top shelf of the oven for 15 minutes, until deeply golden and crispy on top. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes.
make the sauce Thinly slice the brisket and drizzle with some of the reduced cooking liquid. Serve with the lemon-oregano sauce.

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