Whole Brisket With Tomato Gravy

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl, combine garlic, rosemary, pepper, salt, brown sugar, red pepper and paprika. Place brisket fat-side up in a large, deep roasting pan (about 13 by 16 inches) and rub all over with mixture.

Step 2

Roast brisket, uncovered, for 20 minutes. While brisket cooks, pour olive oil into a large saucepan over medium heat and add onions. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and their liquid, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir occasionally, breaking tomatoes with a spoon or whisk. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Remove brisket from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325.

Step 3

Pour 1 cup wine and the tomato sauce over brisket. Cover pan as tightly as possible with foil and roast for 3 1/2 hours, turning once at 2 hours and again at 3 hours, each time carefully replacing foil.

Step 4

Transfer brisket to a platter. Allow sauce to settle for a moment in pan, then, using a slotted spoon, transfer to a blender, allowing fat to strain out. Purée until smooth, adding remaining 1/4 cup wine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Slice brisket diagonally from thinnest end in 1/4-inch slices. Serve with sauce.