Unforgiven

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 we watched Unforgiven (1992) and had Cowboy-Style Beef with Onion Rings.

Long-retired gunslinger William Munny (Clint Eastwood) reluctantly takes one last job -- and even more reluctantly accepts a boastful youth (Jaimz Woolvett) as a partner. Together, they discover how easily complicated truths are distorted into simplistic myths about the Old West. Gene Hackman (who won an Oscar) and Richard Harris stand out as old foes who have an unhappy reunion. Other Oscars include Best Picture and Director (Eastwood). This was one of Eric's favorite movie night movies of all time!

The beef had good flavor but was disappointingly dry tasting. And the onion rings were trying too hard to be healthy (read: sprayed with cooking spray and baked, rather than deep fried) and ended up somewhat floury and lame. Oh well. The beef recipe follows:

Espresso Braised Beef
2 TB finely ground espresso coffee beans
1 TB sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 TB coarse salt
2 TB olive oil, divided
3 lb beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 c strong brewed coffee
2 TB balsamic vinegar
1/4 c dark molasses
1 TB Worcestershire sauce
2 whole cloves
3 TB orange marmalade

Mix the ground coffee, sugar, garlic powder, coriander, cumin, black pepper, and salt together in a small bowl. Rub all over the brisket, wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour.

Heat 1 TB of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the brisket on both sides, about 5 minutes per side, starting fatty-side down. Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.

Add the remining tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the onion and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the brewed coffee, vinegar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a boil. Pour over the brisket and throw the cloves into the liquid. Cover the cooker and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.

Transfer the brisket to a cutting board. Skim the fat from the surface of the juices in the cooker and remove and discard the cloves. While the brisket rests, heat the juices on high for 10 minutes and stir in the marmalade. Slice the brisket across the grain and arrange the slices so they overlap on a large platter. Ladle enough sauce over the top to moisten and serve with the remaining sauce on the side.

Schloss, Andrew. "Espresso Braised Beef." Recipe. Art of the Slow Cooker: 80 Exciting New Recipes. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2008. 102-3.

In attendance: Eric, Lindsey, Barb
Ratings: Movie = 3.5 Dinner = 2