BRISKET AND GRANDKIDS!

I know it is a strange title for a blogpost, but I am combining the Brisket recipe and some random pictures. First, the brisket recipe from the June 2010 Food Network Magazine was scrumptious!   You make it in a slow-cooker, so it is super easy. Start with a 5-6 pound brisket.  Cut into three pieces. In 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, salt and pepper the brisket and then brown the brisket pieces on both sides.

Transfer the brisket to the 5-6 quart  slow cooker and season with garlic. I used Tastefully Simple's "Garlic Garlic."  Pour 12 ounces of a stout beer (I used Black and Tan) into the brisket drippings scraping up the browned bits and then add to the slow cooker. Chop four stalks of celery and arrange around the brisket.
Mix 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup tomato paste, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, 1/3 cup dijon mustard, 1/3 cup soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Pour mixture over the brisket. Cover and cook on high 6 hours or on low for 8 hours.
The Brisket was delicious and served eight of us with leftovers. We served it with Ciabatta rolls and multigrain rolls and pasta salad as a side.  As Rachel Ray would say, "Yum-O!"
Now for the random pictures.  This is a photo of Clara at her birthday celebration August 13th. I can hardly believe that she is five!
This is three month old Emme  - all smiles!
We also celebrated Ryan's 7th birthday.  He and Clara both have August birthdays. His great-mother sure does love to hug the grandkids!
Today I took this picture of the "cupcake" in her cupcake outfit.  The cupcake bib is almost as big as she is!
Miss Sasha sure does know how to strike a pose!
Soon I will post the photos of my surprise birthday party.  And it sure was a surprise!