Beef Brisket Wet/Dry Rub

Rub for 10-12 pound brisket.  We found that we did 1.5 times the wet rub and 4 times the dry rub to get it seasoned like we wanted it.

Wet Rub:

8 beef bullion cubes

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Spread wet rub on brisket first.  Then sprinkle, but not rub in, the dry rub on top.  Leave setting at room temperature while getting smoker ready.

Dry Rub:

½ Tbsp. salt

½ Tbsp. paprika

½ Tbsp. black pepper

½ Tbsp. sugar

¾ tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. onion powder

¼ tsp. dried oregano

⅛ tsp. coriander seed

Boston Butt Dry Rub

This is our favorite dry rub for smoking a Boston butt.  We had a BBQ lunch for Baby Pea's birthday this past weekend.  We also had, for those of you asking about recipes:

Grandmama's BBQ Sauce
Clear BBQ Sauce
Corn Salad
Red Velvet Cake
Cake Batter Ice Cream
Spinach Dip

It was a great day!

Boston Butt Dry Rub

1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. celery salt
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper

Crash Hot Sweet Potatoes

I really enjoyed PW's Crash Hot Potatoes that I linked up to before.  I was on her Tasty Kitchen site and found this recipe for Crash Hot Sweet Potatoes.  The original called for using brown sugar, which I didn't want to use, so I adapted it to what we would like.  To be honest, they weren't as easy as the originals to "crash" so I probably won't make them again the same way, but will definitely use the seasonings in Mashed Sweet Potatoes soon.  I'll post the "somewhat" original recipe for you, though, so you can decide what to add or leave out.  It is going to seem like a lot, but really just standing at your spice rack will make it easy.

Crash Hot Sweet Potatoes

2 whole medium to large sweet potatoes

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

2 quarts water

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. melted butter

1-1/2 Tbsp. light brown sugar

1/2 Tbsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Peel the sweet potatoes and slice about 1-1/4 inches thick.  Add 1/2 tsp. salt to water and bring to a boil.  Add potato slices and simmer for about 12 minutes or until somewhat softened.  Remove carefully to a wire rack and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

Line a large, heavy sheet pan with parchment paper.  Using a flat-bottom bowl, slightly mash each potato slice, taking care that they stay intact.  Drizzle each slice with mixture of butter and olive oil, using half of the mixture.

Blend the topping ingredients (sugar and all spices) together really well, making sure to completely incorporate the brown sugar.

Sprinkle the slices evenly with half of the mixture.  Make sure to avoid getting the top on the sheet between the slices to avoid the sugar burning.  Gently turn over each slice and drizzle remaining butter/oil mixture and coat with remaining spice mixture.

Roast at 375 for 20 minutes, carefully flip each slice and return to oven for about 10 minutes more.  Serve hot.

Spice-Rubbed Flank Steak

We've really been soaking up these mild temperatures and been doing a lot of grilling.  This weekend we had this flank steak and grilled sweet potatoes.

Spice-Rubbed Flank Steak

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1-1/2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 (2 lb.) flank steak, trimmed

Vegetable cooking spray

Combine first 6 ingredients in a shallow bowl.  Stir in olive oil until combined.  Gently rub olive oil mixture evenly on steak.  Let stand 20 minutes.  Coat cold cooking grate with cooking spray, and place on grill over medium-high heat.  Place steak on grill and cook, covered, 8 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness.  Let stand 5 minutes; cut steak diagonally across the grain.



Taco Seasoning

The other day I was planning to make Taco Meatloaf and went to the pantry to get a taco seasoning packet.  Not one!  Bummer!  I went straight to the internet and found out how to make my own.  Very easy and the meatloaf tasted just right.

Taco Seasoning

1 Tbsp. minced onion
2 tsp. chili powder
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 to 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients.  Makes the equivalent of a 1-1/4 oz. package of taco seasoning.