Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Source: Everyday Food, March 2012

• Prep Time15 minutes
 
• Total Time5 1/4 hours
 
• Serves6

INGREDIENTS

• • 2 celery stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 3 carrots, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1-inch wedges (root end left intact)
  • 1/2 pound small potatoes, halved if large
  • 6 sprigs thyme
  • 1 corned beef brisket (about 3 pounds), plus pickling spice packet or 1 tablespoon pickling spice
  • 1/2 head Savoy cabbage, cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges
  • Grainy mustard, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. In a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker, place celery, carrots, onion, potatoes, and thyme. Place corned beef, fat side up, on top of vegetables and sprinkle with pickling spice; add enough water to almost cover meat (4 to 6 cups). Cover and cook on high until corned beef is tender, 4 1/4 hours (or 8 1/2 hours on low). Arrange cabbage over corned beef, cover, and continue cooking until cabbage is tender, 45 minutes (or 1 1/2 hours on low). Thinly slice corned beef against the grain and serve with vegetables, cooking liquid, and grainy mustard.
   
   Note: This time I tried the high heat method at minimum cooking time and it came out even better! Didn't even need a knife to cut it up.