Winter Food

As the temperature drops and we find ourselves deep in the throes of autumn, I want to prepare hearty meals that simmer for hours and make the house smell heavenly. Today, I'll share one of my favorite of these recipes.

1 brisket or chuck roast (chuck roast is more readily available here, so that's what I use)
1 onion, cut up
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup lemon juice (I use concentrate -- just try to find decent fresh lemons in Alaska in the winter!)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 can of beer
2 TBSP soy sauce
2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dry mustard
2 cans tomato sauce

I use an electric frying pan for this dish, but you could definitely do it in a covered pot in the oven, or in a very large dutch oven on the stovetop.

Saute the onion and garlic in a small amount of oil. Add the roast and brown on both sides. Add the rest of the ingredients. Turn down the heat on the electric frying pan, cover and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Check occasionally and turn the meat so that the top doesn't dry too much. That's it. Really. The meat will be falling apart in a most delicious way.

I serve this over either mashed potatoes or wide noodles.