Name: Brisket Bento Box
Prep time: 50 min
Total time: 285 min
Ingredients: 4 pounds brisket, fat cap trimmed to ¼ inch; Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper; 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil; 12 ounces shallots, halved and thinly sliced (about 2 cups); 16 ounces pomegranate juice (2 cups); 1 to 2 cups chicken broth; 1.5 pounds brussels sprouts, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices (about 8 cups); 12 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and halved if large (about 5 cups); 2 large fennel bulbs, halved lengthwise, cored, and cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick wedges (about 8 cups); Plenty of soft dinner rolls, such as brioche; Blue cheese, such as Rogue River, for serving; 2 cups pitted dates, sliced crosswise into ¼-inch rings, for serving; Condiments, such as hot-pepper relish, Napa Valley Mustard Company Sweet & Spicey Mustard, and Stonewall Kitchen Cranberry Horseradish Sauce, for serving

Brisket Bento Box

5.0

(1)

Martha Stewart Editors

Updated on May 16, 2017

Prep Time:

50 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs 45 mins

Servings:

The beauty of this bento box's inspired presentation of brisket and all the fixings is that guests can build their own sandwiches. The blue cheese and dates are delicious in a sandwich or sprinkled over the kale and watercress salad. Ditto with the roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

4 pounds brisket, fat cap trimmed to ¼ inch
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces shallots, halved and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
16 ounces pomegranate juice (2 cups)
1 to 2 cups chicken broth
1 ½ pounds brussels sprouts, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices (about 8 cups)
12 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and halved if large (about 5 cups)
2 large fennel bulbs, halved lengthwise, cored, and cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick wedges (about 8 cups)
Plenty of soft dinner rolls, such as brioche
Blue cheese, such as Rogue River, for serving
2 cups pitted dates, sliced crosswise into ¼-inch rings, for serving
Condiments, such as hot-pepper relish, Napa Valley Mustard Company Sweet & Spicey Mustard, and Stonewall Kitchen Cranberry Horseradish Sauce, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees with rack in lower third. Season brisket with 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a dutch oven or other ovenproof heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add brisket, fat side down, and cook, flipping once, until well browned on both sides, about 10 minutes.
Transfer brisket to a plate; lower heat to medium. Saute shallots, stirring frequently, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add pomegranate juice, increase heat, and boil until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Return brisket, fat side up, and any accumulated juices to pot. Add enough broth to come three-quarters up brisket. Cover and transfer to oven.
Braise brisket, spooning juices over occasionally, until fork-tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Uncover and let cool slightly. Shred in pot with 2 forks, tossing until meat has absorbed most of braising liquid. Cover to keep warm.
Increase oven to 400 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds. Toss brussels sprouts and mushrooms with 2 tablespoons oil and 1 teaspoon salt; transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Toss fennel with remaining tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt; transfer to another rimmed baking sheet. Roast sprouts and mushrooms 10 minutes. Add fennel to oven and continue roasting, switching rack positions halfway through, until vegetables are tender and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes more. Serve vegetables warm or at room temperature with brisket, rolls, cheese, dates, and condiments. Brisket can be made up to 2 days ahead. Uncover and let cool completely in braising liquid, but do not shred. Cover and store in braising liquid in refrigerator. Reheat, covered, over medium-low heat until warmed through; then shred.