Hanukkah Sweet and Sour Brisket
December 26, 2008
My sister, Julie, is a fabulous cook and has been making this recipe for Hanukkah for years. The recipe sounds so bizarre with apricot preserves, chili sauce and, oh my, sauerkraut? When I worked at Southern Living Magazine as a Food Editor, and I sent this recipe to the test kitchen, they were a little questionable about it. But when we discussed it around the taste-testing table (a long table that seats about 20), everyone gave it the highest rating possible. It is really delicious, although, I will admit, difficult to photograph so I added some photos from this year’s Hanukkah party at my house (that’s my son reading the prayer-yes I was proud). This recipe is ideal for Hanukkah or in the fall or winter months when you want something comforting, warm, with a touch of sweet and sour. And if you live in Birmingham, Alabama and don’t have time to cook brisket, head to Jim N Nick’s Barbecue on Highway 280-yum!
Sweet-And-Sour Brisket
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 31/2 to 4 hours
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
1 (5-pound) beef brisket, trimmed
1 (1-ounce) envelope onion soup mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (10-ounce) jar apricot preserves
1 cup water
1 cup chili sauce
2 (10-ounce) cans sauerkraut, drained
Preparation
1 Place brisket in a lightly greased roasting pan. Sprinkle with soup mix and next three ingredients. Spread preserves on top of brisket. Add 1 cup water to pan. Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
2. Bake, covered, at 350° for 3 hours. Uncover and pour chili sauce over brisket; top with sauerkraut. Cover and bake 1 more hour.
3. Remove from oven; let stand, covered, 30 minutes before slicing. Serve with sauerkraut and pan juices.
