Red Wine and Honey Braised Brisket

Ingredients

• 5 pounds brisket, fat trimmed
• vegetable or cottonseed oil
• 3 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 large onion, cut in large dice
• 2 heads fennel, cut into large dice
• 3 large celery stalks, cut into large dice
• 8 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped ginger
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 cups Gefen Honey
• 1 bottle Baron Herzog Old Vine Red Zinfandel
• 2-4 cups unsalted beef stock (if needed)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 Gefen Cinnamon Sticks
• 3 whole star anise
• 1 chili de arbol or Thai Chili