Introduction
Brining, slow cooking, and the right blend of flavors can transform a simple beef brisket into a culinary delight. This recipe offers a step-by-step guide on how to create a flavorful salt beef to serve with bagels. With a harmonious blend of spices and a careful brining process, you will add a delicious twist to your meals.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
For the Brine:
– 200g table salt
– 100g brown sugar
– Optional: 30g preserving salt
– 1 bunch of fresh thyme (20g)
– 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
– 1 tablespoon red peppercorns
– ½ tablespoon allspice
– 2 cloves
For the Beef:
– 1.6kg beef brisket
– 2 onions
– 4 fresh bay leaves
– 6 pink or black peppercorns
For the Mustard:
– 2 heaped teaspoons English mustard powder
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– 1 teaspoon vinegar
For the Pickles:
– 6 large gherkins
– 1 bunch of fresh dill (20g)
– 2 mixed-colour chillies
To Serve:
– Your favourite bagels
Prep Time
At least 2 days before serving, begin by preparing the brine. In a large pan over medium heat, combine all brine ingredients with 2 litres of cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes until the salt dissolves. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
Trim the beef brisket, ensuring to leave a little fat for flavor. Pierce the meat all over with a small sharp knife or skewer. Place it in a non-metallic, sealable container.
Pour the cooled brine over the brisket, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Seal the container and refrigerate for 5 to 7 days, turning the brisket daily.
After brining, remove the brisket and soak it in cold water for 10 minutes. Rinse well.
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
To cook, place the brisket in a large saucepan and cover with fresh cold water. Peel and quarter the onions, adding them to the pan along with the bay leaves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and simmer for 2½ to 3 hours, or until the brisket is tender.
While the beef cooks, prepare the mustard by mixing the mustard powder, sugar, and vinegar in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting the consistency with more vinegar if needed.
For the pickles, slice the gherkins and place them in a bowl. Add a couple of tablespoons of their pickling liquor and the dill fronds. Finely slice the chillies (deseeding if preferred) and mix them in.
Once the brisket is cooked, remove it from the pan and thinly slice as needed.
To serve, split the bagels and spread mustard on the base. Add the pickles and top with slices of salt beef. Place the bagel lid on top and enjoy your delicious creation!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Brine
In a large pan over medium heat, combine all brine ingredients with 2 litres of cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes until the salt dissolves. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
Trim the Beef Brisket
Trim the beef brisket, leaving a little fat for flavour. Pierce the meat all over with a small sharp knife or skewer. Place it in a non-metallic, sealable container.
Submerge the Brisket in Brine
Pour the cooled brine over the brisket, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Seal the container and refrigerate for 5 to 7 days, turning the brisket daily.
Rinse the Brisket
After brining, remove the brisket and soak it in cold water for 10 minutes. Rinse well.
Cook the Brisket
Place the brisket in a large saucepan and cover with fresh cold water. Peel and quarter the onions, adding them to the pan along with the bay leaves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and simmer for 2½ to 3 hours, or until the brisket is tender.
Prepare the Mustard
While the beef cooks, prepare the mustard by mixing the mustard powder, sugar, and vinegar in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting the consistency with more vinegar if needed.
Prepare the Pickles
For the pickles, slice the gherkins and place them in a bowl. Add a couple of tablespoons of their pickling liquor and the dill fronds. Finely slice the chillies (deseeding if preferred) and mix them in.
Slice the Brisket
Once the brisket is cooked, remove it from the pan and thinly slice as needed.
Serve the Dish
To serve, split the bagels and spread mustard on the base. Add the pickles and top with slices of salt beef. Place the bagel lid on top and enjoy.
Notes
Brining Duration
The optimal brining time is 5 to 7 days; however, you can adjust according to your taste preference.
Meat Preparation
Piercing the brisket helps the brine penetrate the meat more effectively for enhanced flavour.
Cooking Time
Ensure the brisket is fork-tender before removal from heat for the best texture.
Mustard Consistency
Adjust the mustard’s consistency with vinegar to achieve your desired level of tanginess.
Pickle Preference
Feel free to modify the pickles and chillies according to your taste; other pickles can also be included.
Cook techniques
Brining
Brining involves soaking meat in a solution of salt and water, often with additional flavorings. This technique enhances moisture retention and infuses flavor into the meat, resulting in a juicy and flavorful dish.
Simmering
Simmering is a cooking technique where food is cooked gently in liquid just below boiling point. This method helps maintain the delicate texture of the meat, allowing it to become tender over time.
Mixing
Mixing is a basic technique used to combine ingredients evenly. In this recipe, the mustard ingredients are mixed to create a balanced condiment that enhances the flavor of the dish.
Chopping
Chopping involves cutting ingredients into smaller pieces. For pickles, gherkins and chillies are sliced to create a textural contrast and ensure they can be easily enjoyed on bagels.
Seasoning
Seasoning involves adding salt, spices, or herbs to food to enhance its flavor. The mustard and pickle mixtures are seasoned to complement the richness of the brisket.
FAQ
How long should I brine the beef brisket?
Brine the beef brisket for 5 to 7 days, turning it daily to ensure even exposure to the brine.
Can I skip the mustard preparation?
While you can skip the mustard, it adds a distinctive flavor that complements the salt beef, enhancing the overall experience.
What type of bagels work best for this recipe?
Any type of bagels can work, but those with a slightly chewy texture, such as plain or everything bagels, pair exceptionally well with the salt beef.
Can I add more spices to the brine?
Yes, you can customize the brine with additional spices or herbs according to your taste preferences.
What should I do if the brisket isn’t tender after cooking?
If the brisket isn’t tender after 2½ to 3 hours of simmering, continue to cook it on low heat, checking for tenderness every 15-30 minutes until it reaches the desired texture.
Conclusion
This brined beef brisket recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for gatherings or a cozy meal at home. The combination of spices in the brine and the tenderness achieved through the slow cooking process make it a standout dish. Paired with tangy mustard and crunchy pickles on bagels, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will satisfy any palate.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Smoked Pastrami
Using a similar brining technique, smoke the brisket after cooking for added depth and a smoky flavor profile.
Reuben Sandwich
Layer the brined beef on rye bread with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing for a classic deli favorite.
Beef Brisket Tacos
Shred the cooked brisket and serve it in corn tortillas with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime.
Brisket Beef Pot Pie
Use the shredded brisket as a filling for a pot pie, combining it with vegetables and gravy, topped with a flaky pastry crust.
Beef Brisket Salad
Slice the brisket thinly and serve it over a bed of greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette.
Brisket Hash
Sauté diced brisket with potatoes, onions, and peppers for a hearty breakfast hash, topped with a fried egg.
