Nonnymus wrote:
Brick wrote:
was too lazy to put it
together. It was a single slice of bread and I really wanted at least
twice that but, alas my waistline dictated otherwise . It was so
reminiscent of good corned beef that I wanted to cry. I

Brick or others, what's the secret, if any, to good corned beef? Mrs.
Nonny once corned a brisket and we ate it with home made rye bread, home
made sauerkraut and home made thousand island dressing. The only bought
thing was County Line baby Swiss cheese. Since then, I've been trying
to chase down corned beef even half as good. We're not able to do that
kind of home brew anymore, and I've tried 3-4 different grocery store
types of corned beef with no success. The stuff around here has little
more flavor than the plastic wrapping it.

I'm tempted to get some pickling spice to cook with a store bought
corned beef, and have even considered smoking it instead of boiling it
with cabbage. I'd really appreciate some pointers from anyone who's
produced some good corned beef in the past.

Nonny

Here is how I pickle a brisket:

Trim it out- well. 1/4 inch fat at most.

Use instacure, or tenderquick. Follow the directions on package for
brine. make enough to cover the brisket laying flat in a pan.

Use a cure. Do not try to substitute salt. You won't hit the flavor
you're looking for without a cure.

I add pickling spices, and simmer the brine to make a tea. You can use
store bought pickling spices, or make your own blend. add to taste:

I use :
2 bay leaves
cloves
coriander seed
celery seeds
couple of smashed bulbs of garlic
use your imagination.

let it cool down to refrigerator temps.

If you have accesses to a meat syringe, inject some of the brine every
3/4 inch or so.

If not; just skip to the part where we put the meat in the brine, and
let it cure. (I put a plate on mine to keep it under.)

3 days if you injected. (turn halfway through)

7 days if no injections. (Again, turn halfway through)

Cooked as desired. (I usually smoke mine until medium well, and slice
thin for pastrami.

See pic from last month in ABF.