Brisket with Onions

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil
• One 5 to 7-pound whole beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound onions (about 2 large) coarsely chopped
• 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
• One (14-ounce) bottle tomato ketchup
• 1 ¼ cups water
• 2 or 3 bay leaves