Spring 2018 Favorites

What to do with a Packaged Corned Beef Brisket

Cooking this is a snap, but you should know about shopping for one.  If your store has several, look at the brisket from the sides.  The ideal brisket is a thick piece of meat with a fatty top.  The less than ideal brisket has a layer of fat in between two layers of meat.  However, if all that you have to choose from are layered briskets, go ahead and buy it.  It will be delicious; it’s just that it will be a little more work when you go to slice it.
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I like to cut the brisket out of its package in the sink, with the crock pot insert near the sink ready to slide the brisket into the insert.  Take note of the little bag of spices that usually comes with the brisket.  Don’t discard any fluids or liquids, but include them.  The brisket should be fat side up.  Sprinkle spices on top.  Add no more than a cup of water.  Cook on the higher setting for 6 hours.

​Do you like to cook vegetables with your crockpot?  Sometimes that is problematic if you want to leave you crockpot to go to work, etc.  If you put the vegetables in at the start, they will either overcook or undercook.  When  at home all day to check on the cooking, put in the vegetables after the brisket has shrunk and there is considerably more liquid present and bubbling/simmering.  Check them every half-hour for doneness.  Otherwise, remove the finished brisket, pour the liquid into another pot at stovepot  and cook the vegetables in the broth.
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Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips are great.  To complete the classic Irish plate, also cook cabbage, quartered or in slices in the delicious broth. 

Do you like to cook vegetables with your crockpot?  Sometimes that is problematic if you want to leave you crockpot to go to work, etc.  If you put the vegetables in at the start, they will either overcook or undercook.  When  at home all day to check on the cooking, put in the vegetables after the brisket has shrunk and there is considerably more liquid present and bubbling/simmering.  Check them every half-hour for doneness.  Otherwise, remove the finished brisket, pour the liquid into another pot at stovepot  and cook the vegetables in the broth.
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Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips are great.  To complete the classic Irish plate, also cook cabbage, quartered or in slices in the delicious broth. 

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Don't Discard the broth!

Strain and save it, with leftover meat, to make a fantastic bean soup.

Recipe: Simple Bean Soup

-Three total strained and washed cans of beans made up of a combination of either Goya cranberry beans, Goya pink beans, Goya small white beans, and/or Bush brand black beans

-Left over corned beef, minced fine
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-Cup minced onions

Add three cans beans to broth in pot with meat and onions, cook until onions are tender.  You might need to add some water. 

Or try this: