Hard Cider-Braised Corned Beef with Mustard Reduction, or How I Finally Found a Corned Beef to Love

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 to 3 pound corned beef brisket
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion (sliced, about 1 cup)
• 2 medium carrots (cut into 1/2-inch thick slices)
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 whole garlic cloves, (peeled)
• 4 12-ounce bottles hard apple cider, (divided)
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard, (divided)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper