Northern California Smoked Brisket Food

SMOKED BRISKET

Steps:

• For the brisket: In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne and cumin, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 1/2 tablespoons pepper. Rub the dry mixture all over the brisket and then tightly wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Unwrap the brisket and let it come to room temperature while you set up the smoker. Prepare a smoker with charcoal and soaked wood chips according to the manufacturer's instructions. Heat it to 190 to 225 degrees F. Place a disposable loaf pan filled with the apple juice and some water inside of the smoker to help maintain a moist environment. Place the room-temperature brisket off of the direct heat, close the lid, and cook, regularly checking the fire and adding additional chips if needed. Do not move or poke the meat with a fork except to check the internal temperature. Cook until the meat is tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the brisket registers an internal temperature of 180 to 185 degrees F, 4 to 5 hours.
• Remove the brisket from the smoker and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing and serving with barbecue sauce.
• For Tiffani's barbecue sauce: Meanwhile, put the sugar, garlic powder, cayenne and red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan. Mix well together to break up any lumps. Stir in the ketchup, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is melted and the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

SMOKED BRISKET

Steps:

• Brush olive oil over brisket. Combine rub ingredients; rub over both sides of beef. Place brisket on a rimmed baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine mop sauce ingredients. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until ready to grill., Soak hickory and mesquite chips or pellets; add to smoker according to manufacturer's directions. Heat to 225°. Uncover brisket. Place brisket in smoker fat side up; smoke 2 hours. Brush generously with mop sauce; turn meat. Smoke 2 more hours; brush generously with mop sauce again. Wrap brisket securely in heavy-duty aluminum foil; smoke until a thermometer inserted in beef reads 190°, 4-5 more hours., Let beef stand 20-30 minutes before slicing; cut diagonally across the grain into thin slices.

SMOKED BRISKET

Steps:

• Trim the excess fat from the brisket and trim to a uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.
• Sprinkle the Lotta Bull BBQ Red Dirt Championship BBQ Seasoning all over the meat, making sure to evenly coat the entire brisket, and gently rub into the meat. Cover with aluminum foil and let sit out on the counter for 1 hour to allow the seasoning to penetrate.
• Preheat a grill or smoker to 300 degrees F.
• Place the brisket on the grill or in the smoker, and cook over indirect heat until tender, 4 to 5 hours. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
• Combine the salt, granulated sugar, garlic salt, smoked paprika, brown sugar, black pepper and cumin in a bowl and mix until well blended.

THE ULTIMATE BRAISED BRISKET

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Drizzle brisket liberally with olive oil then season the meat on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Place a large Dutch oven or heavy-based pot over medium-high heat and add a 3-count of olive oil. Place the brisket in the pot and sear on both sides to form a nice brown crust. Remove from pot and set aside before adding carrots, onion and celery. Brown vegetables, then add the tomatoes, red wine, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Add the brisket back to the pot, cover and roast in the oven for 3 hours until the brisket is fork tender.
• Remove the brisket to a cutting board and let it rest for 15 minutes. Strain out the vegetables and pour out some of the excess fat, then pour over the brisket.
• Slice brisket across the grain and serve over parsnip puree with roasted red onions and garnish with parsley.