I always serve this Brilliant Beef Salad as a main course for 6, but it also works well for an appetizer for 8-10 people. The brilliant colors make it almost as nice to look at as it is to eat.

INGREDIENTS

* 3 lbs. lean flat-cut beef brisket
* 2 white onions, quartered
* 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
* 2 bay leaves
* 8 peppercorns
* 1 Tbs. dried oregano, preferably Mexican
* 1 tsp. sea salt.

Salad Seasonings
* 3 heaping tsp. old-style Dijon mustard (with seeds)
* 1 firm but ripe avocado
* juice of 2 limes
* juice of 2 oranges
* 5 pickled jalapeno chiles, cut into strips with 2 Tbs. of the vinegar
* 1/4 C. diced white cheddar cheese or Monterey jack
* 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
* 1/2 C. Chopped cilantro
* sea salt (optional)

Garnish
* inner leaves from 1 head romaine lettuce
* 1 1/2 C. fresh farmer's or feta cheese
* 2 firm but ripe avocados, sliced
* 8 radishes sliced in rounds
* 1/2 C. chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS

In a large pot filled with enough water to cover the meat, place the meat, onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano, and 1 tsp. salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 1 1/2 hours, adding a little more water if needed. When the meat is tender and ready to be shredded, remove the pot from the heat and let the meat cool in its own broth. Save the broth.

When the beef is cool enough to handle, remove any excess fat from it and thoroughly shred the meat with your hands. Put the shredded beef in a large bowl with 1 C. of the broth. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed.

Drain off any remaining broth. Smear the mustard on your hands and rub the meat to coat it. Mash the avocado with a fork and swear it on the meat. Toss with the lime and orange juices, chiles, cheese, pepper and cilantro. Add salt if needed.

Arrange a bed of romaine lettuce leaves on a platter. Mound the meat mixture on it and decorate with cheese, avocado slices, radishes and cilantro. Serve at room temperature with hot tortillas.