Braised Beef Brisket with Horseradish Cream

6 pounds whole beef brisket with ½ inch layer of the top fat

8 garlic cloves, smashed

2 tablespoons thyme leaves, fresh chopped

2 bay leaves, crumbled

3 Guajillo chiles, seeds and stems removed, broken into pieces

1 tablespoon cracked black pepper

2 tablespoons of salt

2 onions, quartered, root intact

2 stalks of celery, quartered

2 large carrots, peeled and quartered

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

3 cups red wine

4 cups beef stock

Rub brisket evenly with the garlic, chiles, thyme, bay leaves, cracked pepper, and salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for an hour. Preheat oven to 325°F. Scrape off garlic and chiles, reserve for braising.
Heat a heavy-bottomed, large sauté pan until hot. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to the pan. Sear the meat on all sides until deep caramelization is achieved. Transfer to Dutch oven.
Add onions, celery, and carrots to the large sauté pan. On medium-high heat, sauté until caramelized. Add garlic and chiles, scrap any crusty bits from the bottom of the pan. Add balsamic vinegar and red wine to sauté pan and reduce by half. Add beef stock and bring to a boil. Pour liquid over brisket in the Dutch oven and tuck in vegetables around and under. Cover with foil and place in the oven for 5-6 hours or until fork-tender.
Remove from oven and rest for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and place on a cutting board with a foil tent to keep in the heat. Strain the braising liquid with a fine strainer and remove fat once the liquid settles.

1 cup crème fraîche

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

Salt and white pepper to taste

Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl, adjust seasoning to taste.
Cut the brisket against the grain, plate, and serve with the braising juices and the horseradish cream.