Sunday, May 25, 2014

Brisket in Cali with Friends

brisket mop
I visited a friend in California a few weeks back on the way to my trip to Vegas with the Char-broil folks (my next post!). The night before my arrival my friend said her boyfriend Ray had bought a big ol' brisket and was excited to cook it with me.

Oh. Yay, I thought. I get to cook barbecue on my vacation.

But then I arrived to sunny California. Birds were chirping, hummingbirds buzzing, a rooster crowed from afar...and a giant brisket and wood pile beckoned.
smoker with wood pile


I couldn't remember when I'd stayed up all night nursing a brisket. When you own a barbecue restaurant, smoking a whole brisket involves simply saying, "Hey, we got an extra brisket I can take?" But smoking a brisket on your own is an experience. Should be an experience. More than any other barbecue, because of the time it takes to wrangle that meat into tenderness, a brisket forces you to stop and truly take time. I've said it before, but this is one of the reasons I like barbecue: it forces me, Tasmanian She-Devil, to slow down.

We had blast. Ray took the late shift, I took the early morning shift. I'd also just purchased my new camera (a Nikon D5200) and had fun learning the photo ropes while documenting the process.

Ray bought a beautiful 15.5 pound brisket from Corralitos market, well-known for their sausages (he bought those too). It was a perfect example of what Plato meant when he said, "The beginning is the most important part of the work." Starting with quality meat makes all the difference.

Once we got the fire started, Ray rubbed the brisket. It was part Mansmith's BBQ Rub, part spices from their pantry (salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic powder & brown sugar). This was the photo where I discovered the "food" auto setting on my camera. Nice huh?
brisket spice rub

We loaded the smoke box with charcoal and wood. I like the burn consistency of charcoal and frankly wanted a little bit of sleep. Straight wood requires more attention. Ray then did the most important step of the process:

He donned his home state of Texas apron. Now we were ready. 

Later, much later, when the brisket was almost done, and we'd had a few cocktails, the shirt under that apron came off. There was a trucking hat too, but I think I accidentally erased that photo.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. First that deliciously rubbed 15.5 pound brisket was placed lovingly on a trusty, well-used offset smoker, at about 11:30 pm. The wood was, naturally, local chunks of white oak. He put a drip pan with some beer underneath and closed the lid.

Ray stoked the fires, maintaining a nice 200-225 degrees, until about 3 am. I'd gone to bed long before as I was on 6 am (ish) duty. Right before he went to bed, he loaded  up the wood and charcoal to sustain it on the longer stretch. It's fine for a cook temperature to get a little high or a little low here and there as long as overall you maintain a consistent heat.

When I woke up, the dial was at about 175 and easily got back up to 225 once I loaded it back up. I turned the brisket around (not over) to put the other side closer to the firebox. 
Smoker temperature dial

The birds were chirping, the roosters crowing, and red-tailed hawks started their first hunt of the day. Such a different scent than the Pacific NW, too. Not quite tropical, but a hint of the tropics. While Seattle is fresh in a ferny-rainy-woody-mushroomy way, California carries the scent of exotic flowers, tall dense grasses, and ocean breezes. And of course this morning mixed in the scent of wood smoke and slow-cooked meat drippings.

Once everyone was up, coffee in hand, the moppin' began. Party guests were coming over at about 2pm, so that put us at the sweet spot of 14-16 hours. 


When folks arrived, Ray started making his Rockin' Rooster Sauce, which is a secret, but had a really nice balance of sweet and hot. After about an hour of sauce cooking and getting sauced, with an appetizer of smoked sausages that disappeared the moment they were sliced, the brisket was ready. With oohs and ahs, we all dug in.

And then? Well by then Julie was a little very shnockered and what photos she took were about as blurry as she was. It was also California, y'all, and so there might have been a really long series of what was left after we'd all eaten. Twenty shots of this. Dude.
all that's left of the brisket
brisket with BBQ sauce

The brisket was perfect. Tender, tender, tender. Smoke ring. Deckle melted like butter. Battle-worthy bark. And most importantly, laughs and stories with friends. We hit all the brisket buttons.






28 comments:

  1. Awesome Jules! Sorry to make you bbq on vacation, but Thank God you were there to help!! Nice pics, too bad about the trucker hat :). xo Kath

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, I just found my "lost" photos! May have to edit the post and pop it in! So great seeing you!

      Delete
  2. Sounds like a great day with friends. You're right about straight wood is tougher to maintain, I lost my coal base twice Friday night because I was running such a lean fire.

    LOL about the later pictures. Check that 5200 for a Schnockered mode ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See, now you know. I'm sure at competitions, it's a badge to burn all sticks, but at home...it's really about the end product that you're going to eat! And check, Scnockered mode. Maybe the "pet portrait" setting aka "party animal" mode?!

      Delete
  3. Fantastic story and photos Julie. You are a master (mistress? lol) and the brisket is the proof!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, shucks! Yes, my next book will be the BBQ Mistress: How to Make Your Grill Behave!

      Delete
  4. This is surely a very good blog, thanks a lot for sharing such nice information here.

    smoke odor

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  8. I am really happy to say it’s an interesting post to read . I learn new information from your article about cigarette boxes you are doing a great job . Keep it up

    ReplyDelete
  9. Get a high-quality custom printed packaging box to stay out of the competition. Increase product sales and brand exposure by using Popcorn Boxes with standard printing and closing options. Order excellent boxes at the best prices. You will get free shipping and design support.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Do you want to add some individuality and style to your cigarettes? Our Personalized Cigarette Packaging Boxes are an excellent choice. All you have to do is choose a print from our extensive collection, apply it to the packing box with our online tool, and place your order for custom cigarette packaging boxes now!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Healthy blog, thanks for the post. We are one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of various cigarette boxes in the USA. Our main objective is to deliver quality cigarette packaging solutions at affordable prices. E-Cigarette Packaging

    ReplyDelete
  12. Let goreadsocialmedia.com help make all of your goals achievable through social media marketing—contact us today, and let’s get started on using Instagram as a platform together! We have great packages available now

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am really happy to say it’s an interesting post to read. Informative and to the point discussion. keep it up for more visit Custom CBD Boxes.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This blog is very informative. Custom Packaging can be a long excited process but it can be made easier by following the tips that you have mentioned above. Thanks for sharing such important and useful information. Keep it up.
    visit mentioned website for printing and packaging services.
    custom cigarette boxes
    Custom popcorn boxes
    Custom food packaging boxes

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you very much for drawing my notice to this. Your blog is jam-packed with useful facts. Until I read that, I would have no idea. I'll come back for more fantastic material.
    Best wishes, and good luck.
    Custom die cut soap packaging boxes


    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm very Glad to visit your informational Post. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. This is great content for your readers.packagingmines

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amazing Blog I Want to say thanks for quality content. I Suggest you should try the customized boxes for your any kind of products. Because we have a great variety of looks designs and creations of custom printed boxes that surely will enhance your branding drives.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Who can prescribe to me the best item among those in the rundown on this site?
    Offset Smoker vs Pellet Smoker

    ReplyDelete
  19. thanks for sharing this sweet post with us .my custom boxes provides best food boxes and gift boxes for every event and occassion for all your personal and professional use

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is very nice and helpful blog, very informative for everyone. packors! packaging services are available.

    ReplyDelete
  21. We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with this crucial information. This is amazing.
    Blank Soap Boxes

    ReplyDelete
  22. Vape Here India emerges as a premier online vape store, catering to the diverse needs of Indian vapers. With an extensive selection of high-quality vaping products, including disposables, starter kits, mods, pods, and nic salts, Vape Here ensures there's something for every vaper. The user-friendly website makes it effortless to explore and find the perfect vaping solution. Vape Here prioritizes customer satisfaction by offering authentic products from trusted brands ensuring a superior vaping experience. With its commitment to quality, convenience, and variety, Vape Here establishes itself as the go-to destination for vaping enthusiasts across India.


    Visit : Get Dinner Lady 60ML Blue Menthol online at best price
    Buy Dinner Lady 60ML Smooth Tobacco online in India
    Order online Dinner lady 60ml Freebase Flip Flop Lychee in India
    Order online Apple Sours – Dinner Lady Salts in India
    Order DYB Salts 20ML Exciting Flavors- Strength online in India
    Buy DYB Salt Blackcurrant 20 ML online in India

    ReplyDelete