Brisket, Books and Movies

Still plowing along with Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin. So much happens in this book – it’s not the most exciting one so far in the series, but there is action and many important revelations. It’s taking me longer to read this book as I don’t sit down each night and put some book time in. Hopefully on vacation I can get quite a bit reading done.



I am on the list for a digital copy (delivered to Kindle) for World War Z. We watched the movie recently. It was good. It wasn’t awesome, but good. Doug on the other hand said it was disappointing but he has read the book. I find that if you read the book first there is a high chance you won’t like the movie. What is it with Hollywood and directors changing everything about a perfectly good plot?

Such as, the second series of Game of Thrones/ Fire and Ice series. Damn! How could they change so much in the HBO production when there were crucial plots (from the book) needing to be told? Don’t get me started, because I may have a spoiler and that wouldn’t be fair to anyone reading this if they haven’t read the books or watched the show. The books are amazing, I will say that.

Since we don’t have live feed TV we get our movies via Netflicks DVD delivery. Always behind the rest of the pack in movie watching but I think more people are sick of paying cable or satellite fees and dumping the whole package. That’s what we did. Never have regretted it. We catch up on a series or show if we choose and don’t care if it’s been out for years. It’s all new to us!

Within the last month we have watched Mud with Matthew McConaughey (not action filled but a good story), Ironman 3 (eh…shrugging shoulders upward) and the last season of Deadwood.



Deadwood was supposed to run 5 seasons. It quit after 3 seasons so….there are a few unresolved storylines. It interested me enough to request a history of the town’s formation. That was a tough group of men and women to survive such harsh and brutal environments. We enjoyed this series quite a bit but if you are easily offended by swearing, skip this one.



Ok, to the Brisket.



My first experience cooking one and it was all good. It’s something I order fairly regularly at BBQ joints and I am pleased to say, our version came out quite tender and flavorful. There is another brisket in the freezer and next time, Doug will cook it on the charcoal grill.

For this Texas Oven-Roasted Brisket:
The rub was simple to toss into a bowl. From there, just massage it into the fat and beef side. Hands on time is about 10 minutes. I love a meal you don’t need to tend constantly. This is a weekend meal (for us) unless you have several hours to be home. I don’t like going away for extended periods with the oven cranked up so this is certainly a weekend or day off “project”.

Texas Oven-Roasted Beef Brisket

Ingredients

2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 bay leaf, crushed
4 pounds beef brisket, trimmed
1 1/2 cups beef stock

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Make a dry rub by combining chili powder, salt, garlic and onion powders, black pepper, sugar, dry mustard, and bay leaf. Season the raw brisket on both sides with the rub.



Place in a roasting pan and roast, uncovered, for 1 hour.

After that hour passes, add beef stock and enough water to yield about 1/2 inch of liquid in the roasting pan. Lower oven to 300 degrees F, cover pan tightly and continue cooking for 3 hours, or until fork-tender.
Trim the fat and slice meat thinly across the grain. Top with juice from the pan.



That was a lengthy post but, it's what we are up to at present. Hopefully with vacation week we will get a bit of work done around the house, reading and playing. And of course, good food and wine figures into all of our vacations!

Hope all is well in your world and you are having fun.

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