Lunch: Grandma Selma's Brisket

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health benefits of Grandma Selma's Brisket

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
One 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 large onions, sliced 1/2 inch thick
2 pounds carrots, cut diagonally 1/8 inch thick
2 cups Coca-Cola
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup ketchup

Instructions

In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, cayenne, paprika, black pepper, cinnamon, cocoa, coriander and white pepper. Rub the mixture all over the brisket, set it in a baking dish and cover with foil. Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 °. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the oil. Add the brisket, fat side down, and brown well over moderately high heat, 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Reduce the heat to moderate and add the onions. Stir well, cover and cook, stirring, until softened, about 15 minutes. Add the carrots, cover and cook, stirring, until the carrots begin to soften, 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Add the Coca-Cola, tomatoes and ketchup to the pot and stir over moderate heat. Add the brisket and any juices and spread the onions and carrots around the meat. If necessary, add enough water to half-submerge the brisket in liquid. Cover tightly and braise in the oven for 2 1/2 hours.
Transfer the brisket to a cutting board, cover with foil and let stand for 30 minutes. Raise the oven temperature to 425 °. Slice the meat across the grain 1/4 inch thick, return to the casserole and spoon the sauce over the meat.
Return the pot to the oven and cook uncovered for 1 hour, or until the meat is fork-tender. Check every 20 minutes; if necessary, add water so the meat is half submerged. Remove from the oven and let stand for 15 minutes. Transfer the meat to a platter, spoon the onions, carrots and sauce over and serve.