Howdy again yall,
Well summer is full on us and time to unlimber all those pits, grills and cookers and get out our special rubs and begin to work our magic on that Texas specialty....BRISKET!!
Most Texas Folk have their own secret rub or marinade to prep a brisket ranging from the simple to the very complicated with everything from chili powder to thyme...Me, I prefer to just seaon with cracked black pepper and some kosher salt. I like to wood to impart the flavor.. and the right temp to infuse into the brisket.
Sooooo, here we go: Start with a vacuum packed brisket, then store in frig and fip it every day for a week. this will age it some and deepen the flavor, I've done this and and if you want two weeks is even better. It will also tenderize the meat some.
Next, open pack and remove brisketand trim some fat. Rinse it lightly if you want. I said some, not all, for you'll need it to self baste during cooking. Now this is important,; after trimming brisket, season as you desire. Now, let it come nearly to room temp as you get fire ready. This will open the meat fibers to let rub in deeper.
Fire: Okay, this is important, I’m talkin’ a real fire here, y’all; not a propane grill, but an honest to Pete wood or charcoal fire with a way to offset the fire. You need a way to keep the heat about 225- 250F. Too high of temp and meat will cook too fast leaving it tough. Not good, folks. If you’re usin charcoal, build fire, then let burn to white then add your wet chips or chunks of wood. Then cover with some more charcoal so it’ll smoke some. That’s what gives the meat it’s flavor. Then add a water pan and place brisket fat side up so the juices will drip though the meat.
Now, close cooker sit back, open a beer and let the cooker do the work. Only open to add chips or wood. The more smoke, the deeper the bark will go. What you’re looking for underneath the bark is a red rind under the bark.This is important, it will take at least 12 hours of slow cooking to get that brisket to where it needs to be. So just relax for a few hours and let the meat to itself. Then check fire and add chips as needed for about 6 hours. Then wrap good in foil and place back in cooker. This will keep it moist and aid in tenderizing. Let it cook some more until it’s ready (about another 5 hours). Keep adding small amounts of wood, chips or charcoal as needed to keep temp up.
Okay, now its done. Now it needs to rest for a bit to let the juices settle to keep moist. Then open foil, and place on cutting board and trim away most of the fat. This is most important, carve brisket on the bias! It will be much more tender that way.
Well that’s how I do it; but im sure there’s a lot more ways to do it and they all work, so find one that works for you and have at it. Some might say Bon Apetit! But I prefer “come and get it”!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What Texas is to Me.
Well, it's nearly tax time again and as I think of all the wonderful things the governmant has planned for our money, I like to think how fortunate we Texans are to live in this great state. It's easy to desribe certain aspects of our state to outsiders but unless they have experienced it, how can they ever understand what we sometimes take for granted? These thoughts are in no particular order, just as they pop into my head. For y'all that don't know me, I have a very non-linear thought process.
To me, Texas is.....
a sunrise on the Gulf
a sunset in Big Bend
pheasunt hunting in the Panhandle.
a cold beer on a hot day floating lazily down the Gudalupe.
the Texas A&M- Texas Rivalry
a corn-dog at the State Fair
Friday Night Lights
George Strait
standing before the Alamo after dark when the street is quiet. If you listen real careful, you just might just hear or feel the Ghosts of the Alamo.
Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.
fishing Lake Fork
skinny-dippin at Lake Travis
Smoked Brisket.
a cherry lime at the drive-in
Ice Tea
a stiff starched shirt and Wranglers
Lucchese Boots
Big hair
quail huntin in Central Texas
Dove Huntin in the Valley
a Pandandle winter
A Houston Summer
sitting at picnic table in the back yard running a window unit air conditioner on it(plugged into an orange extension cord from the house)trying stay cool.
The River Walk
Chicken Fried Steak
Lone Star Beer and a local band at Gruene Hall
sittin outside lissenin to the pickers at Luckenbach
the ongoing debate over who makes the best truck
tamale vendors
chili queens
a hitchin rail chock full of horses at a beer joint in Bandera on a Saturday afternoon
Pearl Beer
Dr Pepper
The Canadian Rodeo
Billy Bob's
the Stockyards
the Texas Two-Step
no state income tax
the oil "bidness"
the cattle business
Large ranches like the King Ranch and 6666's
day cowboys
the " Texas Barbecue Trail"
The Colonial and golfers like Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson
Texas Rangers such as Jack Hays, Rip Ford, and Frank Hamer.
repecting the rights of the individual versus the power of the government
flying the Lone Star the same height as the US Flag
knowing the difference between a drawl and twang
My list could go on for quite a while but will stop it here.
I would welcome any additions to it in the comments section.
I would love to know what Texas means to yall.
GOD BLESS TEXAS YALL!!!
To me, Texas is.....
a sunrise on the Gulf
a sunset in Big Bend
pheasunt hunting in the Panhandle.
a cold beer on a hot day floating lazily down the Gudalupe.
the Texas A&M- Texas Rivalry
a corn-dog at the State Fair
Friday Night Lights
George Strait
standing before the Alamo after dark when the street is quiet. If you listen real careful, you just might just hear or feel the Ghosts of the Alamo.
Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.
fishing Lake Fork
skinny-dippin at Lake Travis
Smoked Brisket.
a cherry lime at the drive-in
Ice Tea
a stiff starched shirt and Wranglers
Lucchese Boots
Big hair
quail huntin in Central Texas
Dove Huntin in the Valley
a Pandandle winter
A Houston Summer
sitting at picnic table in the back yard running a window unit air conditioner on it(plugged into an orange extension cord from the house)trying stay cool.
The River Walk
Chicken Fried Steak
Lone Star Beer and a local band at Gruene Hall
sittin outside lissenin to the pickers at Luckenbach
the ongoing debate over who makes the best truck
tamale vendors
chili queens
a hitchin rail chock full of horses at a beer joint in Bandera on a Saturday afternoon
Pearl Beer
Dr Pepper
The Canadian Rodeo
Billy Bob's
the Stockyards
the Texas Two-Step
no state income tax
the oil "bidness"
the cattle business
Large ranches like the King Ranch and 6666's
day cowboys
the " Texas Barbecue Trail"
The Colonial and golfers like Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson
Texas Rangers such as Jack Hays, Rip Ford, and Frank Hamer.
repecting the rights of the individual versus the power of the government
flying the Lone Star the same height as the US Flag
knowing the difference between a drawl and twang
My list could go on for quite a while but will stop it here.
I would welcome any additions to it in the comments section.
I would love to know what Texas means to yall.
GOD BLESS TEXAS YALL!!!
Texas is...
Texas has been on my mind a lot lately as I have been reading an old book on the history of my state. Last night it started running through my head just how many songs are about Texas and how they can be used to describe it. Here are some examples.
Texas is...
Amarillo by Morning
Lubbock in my Rearview Mirror
Across the Alley From the Alamo
Deep in the Heart of Texas
The Streets of Laredo
The Red River Valley
Houston
Amarillo Highway
Dallas Days and Fort Worth Nights
Bob Wills is Still the King
Abilene
San Angelo
McKenzie Park
Waltz Across Texas
Big Ball in Cowtown
San Antonio Rose
T for Texas
Well those are the ones I can think of right off hand. I'm sure there are others and if you have any you would like to share, please post them in blog comments.
Oh, one more title:
God Bless Texas!!
Texas is...
Amarillo by Morning
Lubbock in my Rearview Mirror
Across the Alley From the Alamo
Deep in the Heart of Texas
The Streets of Laredo
The Red River Valley
Houston
Amarillo Highway
Dallas Days and Fort Worth Nights
Bob Wills is Still the King
Abilene
San Angelo
McKenzie Park
Waltz Across Texas
Big Ball in Cowtown
San Antonio Rose
T for Texas
Well those are the ones I can think of right off hand. I'm sure there are others and if you have any you would like to share, please post them in blog comments.
Oh, one more title:
God Bless Texas!!
Monday, April 12, 2010
THINGS I LEARNED FROM BEING RAISED IN TEXAS
Armadillos sleep in the middle of the road
with their feet in the air.
There are 5,000 types of snakes on earth and 4,998 live in Texas .
There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000
live in Texas , plus a couple no one's seen before.
If it grows, it sticks; if it crawls, it bites.
'Twiced' is a word.
People actually grow and eat okra
'Fixinto' is one word.
There is no such thing as 'lunch.'
There is only dinner and then supper.
Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you
start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar!
'Backwards and forwards' means I know
everything about you!
Djeet is actually a phrase meaning 'Did you eat?'
Hats and boots aren't fashion statements.
You don't have to wear a watch because it
doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done
or it's too dark to see.
You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them.
You measure distance in hours. Like its 6 hours from Houston to Dallas .
You'll probably have to switch from 'heat' to
'A/C' in the same day.
'Fix' is a verb. Example: 'I'm fixing to go to
the store.'
You install security lights on your house and
garage and leave both unlocked.
Yes, Friday night high school football games is serious football!
You carry jumper cables in your car . . .
for your OWN car.
Always cook extra in case friends drop by at suppertime.
There are only four spices: salt, pepper,
Tabasco and ketchup.
The local papers cover national and
international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports.
100 degrees Fahrenheit is 'a little warm.'
A seat belt buckle can be used as a branding iron during the middle of summer.
We have four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer,
still Summer and Christmas.
Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time
known as 'goin' to Wally-World.'
A cool snap (below 70 degrees) is good
pinto-bean weather; any thing below 60, break out the chili pot.
A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola or
pop. . . . it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example:
'What kind a coke you want?'
Fried catfish is the other white meat.
We don't need no stinking driver's ed . . .
if our mama says we can drive, we can drive.
Never try to pet a cow dog on the back of his owner's truck.
Yes/No Maam/Sir are the only way to reply to your elders. Nuh-Uh or Uh-huh can be risky.
EVERYONE can't be from Texas ..
You might say it's a gift from God!
And the most important thing we learn growing up in TEXAS is...
IN GOD WE TRUST
with their feet in the air.
There are 5,000 types of snakes on earth and 4,998 live in Texas .
There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000
live in Texas , plus a couple no one's seen before.
If it grows, it sticks; if it crawls, it bites.
'Twiced' is a word.
People actually grow and eat okra
'Fixinto' is one word.
There is no such thing as 'lunch.'
There is only dinner and then supper.
Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you
start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar!
'Backwards and forwards' means I know
everything about you!
Djeet is actually a phrase meaning 'Did you eat?'
Hats and boots aren't fashion statements.
You don't have to wear a watch because it
doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done
or it's too dark to see.
You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them.
You measure distance in hours. Like its 6 hours from Houston to Dallas .
You'll probably have to switch from 'heat' to
'A/C' in the same day.
'Fix' is a verb. Example: 'I'm fixing to go to
the store.'
You install security lights on your house and
garage and leave both unlocked.
Yes, Friday night high school football games is serious football!
You carry jumper cables in your car . . .
for your OWN car.
Always cook extra in case friends drop by at suppertime.
There are only four spices: salt, pepper,
Tabasco and ketchup.
The local papers cover national and
international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports.
100 degrees Fahrenheit is 'a little warm.'
A seat belt buckle can be used as a branding iron during the middle of summer.
We have four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer,
still Summer and Christmas.
Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time
known as 'goin' to Wally-World.'
A cool snap (below 70 degrees) is good
pinto-bean weather; any thing below 60, break out the chili pot.
A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola or
pop. . . . it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example:
'What kind a coke you want?'
Fried catfish is the other white meat.
We don't need no stinking driver's ed . . .
if our mama says we can drive, we can drive.
Never try to pet a cow dog on the back of his owner's truck.
Yes/No Maam/Sir are the only way to reply to your elders. Nuh-Uh or Uh-huh can be risky.
EVERYONE can't be from Texas ..
You might say it's a gift from God!
And the most important thing we learn growing up in TEXAS is...
IN GOD WE TRUST
Saturday, April 10, 2010
More Wonderin' and Musin"
Howdy,
I just thought I'd share some thoughts that passed thu my head here lately
on health care.... does seem like its on a layaway plan? I mean its like financing a car and not getting to drive it till it's paid for!
On Obama's treaty with the Russians....did he ever fight for his lunch money or did he just give it up in hopes of not being smacked? can you see this guy trying to survive in prison? wait, that's not a bad idea.
on Tea party'ers... domestic terrorists? has any of them hijacked a plane and flown into a building or beheaded anyone? That's like calling our forefathers traitors!
on our forefathers....if they thought taxation without representation was bad, they should see what we got now.
on gun control... finger tip on trigger and lightly squeeze for better accuracy.
on Sarah Palin..... "you don't retreat, you reload" what a quote and words to live by.
on Nancy Pelosi....what a waste of Botox. So radical the only piece of chicken she'll eat is the Left Wing. Why couldn't the house have fallen on her instead of her sister?
on Harry Reid... people liking you on your chartered plane don't count.
on Tiger Woods.... how good would he be if the the only holes he concentrated on were limited to the ones on the golf course.
on Jesse James... just because you were named after an infamous outlaw don't mean you should live like one. I think Tiger owes you big time for shoving him off the front pages of the tabloids.
on Obama's remarks about Sarah Palin's lack of experience...... guess being a community organizer make you eminently more qualified.
on Jimmy Carter.... how does it feel to not be the "worst President in history" anymore?
on Joe Biden.... saying "Big F#%%g Deal" on tape is a "Big F@%$#%g Deal"!
on the "Chicago-ization" of Washington Politics.... same dog with just a different bunch of fleas.
I just thought I'd share some thoughts that passed thu my head here lately
on health care.... does seem like its on a layaway plan? I mean its like financing a car and not getting to drive it till it's paid for!
On Obama's treaty with the Russians....did he ever fight for his lunch money or did he just give it up in hopes of not being smacked? can you see this guy trying to survive in prison? wait, that's not a bad idea.
on Tea party'ers... domestic terrorists? has any of them hijacked a plane and flown into a building or beheaded anyone? That's like calling our forefathers traitors!
on our forefathers....if they thought taxation without representation was bad, they should see what we got now.
on gun control... finger tip on trigger and lightly squeeze for better accuracy.
on Sarah Palin..... "you don't retreat, you reload" what a quote and words to live by.
on Nancy Pelosi....what a waste of Botox. So radical the only piece of chicken she'll eat is the Left Wing. Why couldn't the house have fallen on her instead of her sister?
on Harry Reid... people liking you on your chartered plane don't count.
on Tiger Woods.... how good would he be if the the only holes he concentrated on were limited to the ones on the golf course.
on Jesse James... just because you were named after an infamous outlaw don't mean you should live like one. I think Tiger owes you big time for shoving him off the front pages of the tabloids.
on Obama's remarks about Sarah Palin's lack of experience...... guess being a community organizer make you eminently more qualified.
on Jimmy Carter.... how does it feel to not be the "worst President in history" anymore?
on Joe Biden.... saying "Big F#%%g Deal" on tape is a "Big F@%$#%g Deal"!
on the "Chicago-ization" of Washington Politics.... same dog with just a different bunch of fleas.
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