I used to make corned beef the standard way of tossing into water and simmering it ~ but, then a few years ago, I started do it in the oven instead. ** WOW! what a difference! LOVE the crusty STOUT ALE, MUSTARD, BROWN SUGAR outside ~ while the inside is still moist and juicy **
The onions and cabbage are done on your stove, while the brisket is cooking ** I've also explained the different cuts of brisket here **
Corned Beef
3-4 lbs. corned beef brisket ***
1 pint Guinness stout (or 1 bottle dark beer or ale)
10 whole cloves
1/2 cup spicy honey mustard ……...........3-4 TB brown sugar
Cabbage
1/8 cup olive oil ………………………......2 lb. head cabbage (sliced)
1 medium onion (sliced) ……………........2 cloves garlic minced
Salt & pepper to taste
Potatoes & Carrots
4 large potatoes (unpeeled), cut into chunks (or 6-8 red potatoes)
3-4 large carrots, peeled & cut into chunks
***
Preheat oven 350. Line the bottom of a large roasting pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Open corned beef and pat dry (discard the spice packet). Put into roasting pan and spread top with honey mustard evenly. Insert cloves evenly over top of meat. Sprinkle brown sugar all over. Pour the Guinness around meat (not on meat). Set potatoes and carrots around the meat.
Cover with more foil (I spray with non-stick spray, so it won't stick to the top of the corned beef) and bake for 2 - 2 ½ hours or until tender. Set oven to broil ~ uncover meat and brown the top for 1-2 minutes for a crusty browned appearance. Take meat out of pan and let sit for about 5 minutes before slicing.
CABBAGE: Meanwhile, in a large frying pan heat olive oil and sauté onions, then add garlic on low heat until translucent. Bring heat to medium and add cabbage. Sauté until cooked through. Add salt and pepper. (If you want to do this ahead, put it into a covered casserole dish, and reheat in microwave later when dinner is ready.)
NOTES: cuts of brisket explained
FLAT CUT: less fat than Point Cut
POINT CUT: A thicker cut of the brisket. It also has a lot more fat in it, making it a more flavorful and succulent cut but also more calories