Pastrami Questions

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Neil

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When making pastrami, do you ever steam it after you've smoked it? I have never done this but I read that pastrami was a brined brisket that was first smoked then steamed. I plan on trying this next time but was wondering if any of you have already tried this and could shed a little light on the technique. I also read that it was best to use the point of the brisket and not the flat. When shopping for corned beef, all I ever see in the stores are corned beef brisket flats. Do meat processors even corn the points? An inquiring mind wants to know.:biggrin:
 
I've read that too Neil. I smoked two Corned Beef Points that I soaked overnight and changed the water 3x last weekend. I took some the next day and put it in a pan on a rack with a little water, covered with foil and stuck it in the oven for a bit, I didn't want it sitting in the water, it came out tasting great for sandwiches.
 
I have seen and used both point and flat. As to the steaming, depending on your cooker, that can be quite a bit of steam in there already. Let us know if you try it.
 
I have done a few simply using the corn beef from the grocery store. I use the included season pack and add more to cover the entire brisket flat. Then into the smoker. Both time I have done them, I used water in my pan, so I believe it was steamed and smoked at the same time.

It is the best pastrami I have ever tasted.
 
I have only made pastrami once so far. But in the past when I would get meat from the deli that is how I would warm it up for sandwichs:icon_bigsmil
 
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37140&highlight=wet+pastrami

Neil, check out this earlier thread, post #5. I've been doing a braise finish in foil, a covered roasting pan or a pressure cooker. I nicknamed it wet pastrami.

pastramiwet11.jpg
 
If you ever want to see debate, look up a Kantor's vs. Carnegie vs. anything in LA pastrami debate! Too salty, too fatty, too dry, too moist...goes on like a picnic vs. butt, point vs. flat, etc.:roll:

I have made pastramis from points and flats, I actually like the points a hair better, but then, fat is my friend! I first saw the steaming thing on a food show, one of the famous NY delis actually put the whole brisket in a steamer after smoking, cooked it up to about 170(?), I think. I now just reheat all my pastrami in a steamer basket on the stove- seems to really reinvigorate it.

Remember those after St. Patty's day sales. Most supermarkets will try to unload their stocks of corned beefs. Just remember to give it a good soaking!
 
After making mine I have always reheated it like my mom always did, put it in the crockpot on low and let it warm nice and slow all day!
 
A lot of the Jewish deli's in NY offer "moist" and "lean" pastrami, I would assume those would correspond with the point and flat, respectively, although I do not have positive confirmation on this.
 
I am pretty simple minded with my pastrami. :oops:

I freeze it in little batches of 6 slices or so.
To reheat, I just Nuke it for a bit on mid power wrapped in a paper towel.
Onto a sandwich of Rye or Pumpernickle with spicey mustard or horseyradish and chow down :lol:

Also, I just cook factory corned beef with no soaking and all of that. Coat with cracked red or black pepper and cook to 160 or so. Folks that do not like the pepper can scrape it off the surface--easey peasey.
Seems to make my folks happy.

All kinds of ways to get where ya are going.

Speaking of which, I am out!! :evil:
Gotta pick up a corned beef flat for Thursday's cook.

TIM
 
The_Kapn said:
I am pretty simple minded with my pastrami. :oops:

I freeze it in little batches of 6 slices or so.
To reheat, I just Nuke it for a bit on mid power wrapped in a paper towel.
Onto a sandwich of Rye or Pumpernickle with spicey mustard or horseyradish and chow down :lol:

Also, I just cook factory corned beef with no soaking and all of that. Coat with cracked red or black pepper and cook to 160 or so. Folks that do not like the pepper can scrape it off the surface--easey peasey.
Seems to make my folks happy.

All kinds of ways to get where ya are going.

Speaking of which, I am out!! :evil:
Gotta pick up a corned beef flat for Thursday's cook.

TIM
Click to expand...

Have you had them be salty? My understanding is that the corning solution is pretty salty.:icon_bigsmil
 
wlh3 said:
Have you had them be salty? My understanding is that the corning solution is pretty salty.:icon_bigsmil
Click to expand...

Nope.
Maybe lucky--- or maybe we like salt :lol:

Just a taste thing and you need to try it and adjust from there.

TIM
 
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