A hearty, comfort food meal with rich flavour.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp canola oil 30 mL
• 1 1/2 lb trimmed beef brisket 750 g
• canola oil cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups diced onion (about 1 large onion) 375 mL
• 2 tsp minced garlic 10 mL
• 1 bottle (12 oz/341 mL) dark stout beer
• 2 Tbsp cider vinegar 30 mL
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves 7 mL
• 1 tsp dried thyme leaves 5 mL
• 3 Tbsp steak sauce 45 mL
• 3 Tbsp no-salt-added tomato paste 45 mL
• 1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
•  6 multigrain bread slices

Instructions:

1. Heat 1 Tbsp (15 mL) of canola oil in large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef 3 minutes on each side. Place beef in slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp (15 mL) canola oil, cook onions 4 minutes or until beginning to brown, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic and cook 15 seconds.
2. Remove skillet from heat and stir in garlic, beer, vinegar, oregano, thyme, steak sauce, and tomato paste. Stir until well blended and pour over beef in slow cooker, making sure that beef is covered completely with liquid.
3. Cover and cook on low setting for 6 hours. Remove beef and place on cutting board. Stir salt into slow cooker mixture. Thinly slice beef (it will shred automatically as you slice). Return beef to slow cooker and stir. Cover and let stand 15 minutes to absorb flavours.
4. To serve, place strainer in large bowl, strain beef mixture, shaking off excess liquid and place in serving bowl. Serve juices alongside. Place equal amounts of shredded beef on warmed multigrain bread slices (2 oz/60 g per serving) as open-faced sandwiches. Spoon desired amount of liquid over each.
   

Yield: 6 servings. Serving size: 1/2 cup (125 mL) beef, 1/3 cup (75 mL) sauce.

Cook’s notes: Buy beef brisket that weighs almost 2 pounds before trimming as there is quite a bit of fat to discard. If a “sliced” brisket is preferred over the shredded variety, cook about 30 minutes less than recommended above.