Pastrami Grilled In Grape Leaves Food

PRIMETIME PASTRAMI

Steps:

• For the brine: In a large stockpot, add half of the water, the brown sugar, kosher salt, curing salt, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, juniper berries, chile flakes, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon and star anise and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 30 minutes. Add the remaining water with some ice to chill the brine.
• For the rub: Grind the peppercorns, coriander and juniper until crushed but still a little chunky. Add to a mixing bowl. Add the salt, brown sugar, chile flakes and granulated garlic and stir to combine.
• For the pastrami: First, clean all the fat off the brisket including the "V" between the two muscles, then follow the fat between the two muscles and separate them making a flat and a cap.
• Transfer the brine to a large hotel pan or roasting pan. Add the brisket and refrigerate at least 5 days and no more than 10 days. Make sure the brisket is stirred once a day to get an evenly brined brisket.
• After a minimum of 5 days, prepare a smoker for 225 degrees F.
• Remove the pastrami, rinse it and blot dry with paper towels. Thoroughly rub the brined brisket with the pastrami rub. Place in smoker and cook for 8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 210 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

THIT BO CUON LA LUOP (VIETNAMESE BEEF IN GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Rinse grape leaves in hot water; drain.
• Mix beef with garlic, 2 tsp nuoc mam, ginger root, cilantro, 1/2 tsp sugar, dash black pepper, and green onion.
• Place generous tablespoonful on grape leaf, and roll envelope-style.
• For sauce, mix together 4 tbsp fish sauce, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp vinegar, 2 tsp sugar, the red pepper, and the 2 cloves of minced garlic.
• Stir in 3 tbsp shredded ginger and 2 tbsp shredded carrots to the sauce.
• Place on skewers and grill (If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 20-30 minutes before using), or broil, 6" from heat for 10-12 minutes.
• Serve rolls with dipping sauce.

GRILLED FETA WRAPPED IN GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, za'atar and Aleppo pepper in a shallow bowl or small baking dish. Add the feta and spoon the oil over the top. Set aside to marinate 1 hour.
• While the cheese marinates, place the grape leaves in a bowl of room-temperature water and let soak.
• Line a small baking sheet with paper towels. Drain the grape leaves and lay in a single layer on the towels; pat very dry. On a clean surface, overlap the grape leaves slightly to form a square. Place the block of feta in the center (reserve the flavored oil), then fold the grape leaves to cover the cheese like a present.
• Preheat a grill to medium high and prepare for indirect grilling: On a charcoal grill, bank the coals to one side; on a gas grill, turn off half the burners. Toast the pita over direct heat, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Brush the outside of the wrapped feta with some of the reserved oil and place on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat). Cook until the grape leaves are crisp and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and move to direct heat; grill until lightly charred on the second side and the cheese is warmed through, about 3 more minutes. Transfer to a board or platter and serve with the pita, olives, walnuts and/or apricots, plus any remaining flavored oil.

PASTRAMI RUBBED SMOKED BOAR WITH GRILLED RYE AND QUICK PICKLE SALAD

Steps:

• Set the wild boar strip loins on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking to allow the chill to come off.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Make the pastrami rub by stirring together the salt, pepper, celery seeds, coriander seeds, garlic powder, mustard seeds and paprika in a mixing bowl. Rub both sides of the loins with the mustard, then loosely sprinkle the pastrami rub on the loins (don't rub it in). Insert a meat thermometer into the side of 1 loin.
• Set up a smoker on your stove top by adding the wood chips to the bottom of a foil-lined 4-inch-deep hotel pan. Turn on the heat and allow the wood chips to light, then allow some of the smoke to burn off, about 5 minutes. Place a 2-inch-deep perforated hotel pan on top. Add the loins and cover the pan with foil. Transfer the smoker to the oven and cook until the internal temperature of the loin is 125 degrees F, about 20 minutes.
• Place a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place the loins in the pan and sear on one side until deeply golden brown and crusty, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and butter. When the butter has melted and starts to foam, baste the loins with it. Flip the loins and sear the other side, 2 to 3 minutes more, continuing to baste with the butter. Transfer the loins to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
• To serve, slice the loins and top with the Grilled Rye and Quick Pickle Salad. Spoon some of the extra dressing over the top and finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
• Place the jalapeños, Fresno chiles and shallots in a glass jar and pack them in tightly. Combine the rice wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, 1/2 cup water, the sugar, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaf and 1 tablespoon salt in a nonreactive saucepan and bring to a gentle boil, whisking until the sugar and salt dissolve. Strain the hot liquid into the glass jar until the jalapeños, Fresno chiles and shallots are completely submerged, then set aside for at least 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the rye bread slices on the pan and toast on both sides until slightly charred. Tear the bread into rustic chunks and set aside.
• Make the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, honey, mustard, lime juice and salt to taste in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, toss together the celery leaves, grilled bread and drained pickled jalapeños, Fresno chiles and shallots. Right before serving, add some of the dressing (reserving the extra) and toss to coat.