BRAISED BRISKET WITH MUSHROOM ONION GRAVY

Steps:

• Place the mushrooms in a small bowl. Bring 1 cup of the water to a boil. Pour over the mushrooms. Let stand for 30 minutes to soften.
• Remove the mushrooms from the soaking liquid, squeezing as much liquid as possible back into the bowl. Coarsely chop the mushrooms.
• Strain the soaking liquid through a coffee filter or 2 layers of cheesecloth. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for about 10 minutes, until translucent.
• Reduce heat to low. Cook for about 15 minutes, until the onions begin to brown, stirring from time to time.
• Add the vinegar and cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes, until the onions turn a deep golden brown.
• Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits in the pot. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same Dutch oven over high heat. Season the brisket with salt and pepper. Brown well on all sides. Transfer the meat to a platter.
• Add the mushroom-soaking liquid to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits.
• Return the brisket to the pot, along with the onion-wine mixture, the remaining 3 cups water, the mushrooms, garlic, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
• Tightly cover the pan. Place in the oven and cook for about 3 hours, until the brisket is very tender.
• Transfer the meat to a platter and tent with foil.
• Remove the bay leaves from the cooking liquid. Working in batches, puree the cooking liquid in a processor until smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan. Adjust seasoning and rewarm, if necessary.
• Cut the brisket across the grain into thin slices. Arrange on a platter. Spoon the sauce over the meat.