FRESH BEEF BRISKET WITH BROWNED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sprinkle beef brisket with salt and pepper; place in large skillet.
• Brown meat, on fat side only, over high heat.
• While meat is browning, prepare vegetables: Slice onions very thin.
• Pare carrots; cut carrots and celery in 1-inch pieces.
• Pour boiling water over tomato in bowl; let stand several minutes.
• Holding tomato on fork, peel skin with sharp knife.
• Cut tomato in chunks.
• When meat is well browned, remove it from skillet to a large Dutch oven.
• Add onion to skillet; sauté until golden.
• Spoon onion over meat; surround with carrot, celery, tomato.
• Add 1 cup water.
• Roast, covered, 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until meat is tender.
• Prepare potatoes during LAST hour: Place in saucepan; add boiling water to measure 2 inches and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Bring potatoes to boiling; boil gently, covered, 20 minutes.
• Drain; cool.
• Peel while warm, using a sharp knife.
• Set peeled potatoes on piece of paper towel, and salt them lightly; turn with fingers to salt all over.
• Melt butter in large skillet over moderate heat.
• Add potatoes; cook 5 minutes; then turn carefully with broad spatula to brown all over—several minutes.
• Remove brisket to warm serving platter; surround with browned potatoes; keep warm.
• Make gravy: Strain pan juices to remove vegetables.
• Press vegetables through strainer.
• Skim fat from pan juices.
• In small bowl, combine flour with 1/4 cup water; stir until smooth.
• Add to pan juices, along with pureed vegetables.
• Bring to boiling, stirring until thickened.
• Serve with brisket.
• Serves 10 to 12.
• McCall’s Cooking School.