large splash white wineor Marsala, sherry or vermouth
4large shallotspeeled and sliced into rounds
2large garlic clovespeeled and finely sliced
1tspsugar
200g| 7oz button chestnut mushroomssliced in half
240ml| 1 cup mushroom stockyou can also use beef stock
1tbspsoy sauce
1tsbp conflourcornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water
2tspEnglish mustard
1tspWorcestershire sauce
1sprig thyme
1bay leaf
60ml| 1/4 cup double cream
chopped parsleyto serve
mashed potatoesto serve
Instructions
Pat your beef dry with some kitchen paper. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and brown the meat on all sides. Set aside.
Deglaze the pan with a splash of wine and pour the pan juices into a small bowl to use later.
Mix the cornflour with the cold water to make a slurry. Make the mushroom stock (I used a Knorr stock cube) and mix in the reserved pan juices, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cornflour and English mustard.
Add a little more oil to the pan and pan fry the shallots and garlic over medium-low heat. Season and sprinkle them with the sugar and continue to cook, stirring so that they don't stick, until they are soft, 7-10 minutes.
Add the chopped mushrooms and pan fry for a minute then add the stock. Bring to a simmer and transfer to your slow cooker. Add the bay leaf and thyme sprig.
Add the brisket, fat side up, and cook for 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low.
Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and put on a plate, loosely covered with foil.
Add the cream to the slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, for another 20 minutes (see notes). Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig. Stir in the chopped parsley right at the end.
Slice the brisket and serve with mashed potatoes and smothered in the mushroom gravy.
Notes
If you want the gravy to be quite thick, you can transfer to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook until it thickens.