Corned Beef and Cabbage...the Right Way...

Why buy the nasty preservative filled corned beef in a bag when you can just as easily make your own?

• Ready In: 172 hrs
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 10  cups water
• 1 1⁄2 cups kosher salt
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 2  tablespoons dry mustard
• 3  tablespoons  pickling spices
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (7 -9 lb)  fresh beef brisket, 7 to 9 pounds

• corned beef and cabbage

• 3  celery ribs, cut in 2-inch pieces
• 2  large onions, cut in wedges
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 6  medium  red potatoes, halved
• 5  carrots, cut into thirds
• 2  small  rutabagas or 1  medium  rutabaga, cut in 2-inch chunks
• 1  head cabbage, cut in 6 wedges

Directions

1. Combine water, salt, sugar, mustard, spices, and 3 cloves minced garlic in an 8-quart nonreactive stock pot.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
4. When liquids have cooled, trim the corned beef of excess fat and put into the liquid.
5. You may need to transfer the liquids and corned beef to a larger container or bowl, just make sure it is nonreactive.
6. If necessary, add more cold water to cover the beef.
7. Using a heavy pottery bowl or a few small bowls, weigh the corned beef down so it will stay submerged in the water.
8. Cover the pan and refrigerate for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
9. Take out once a day to stir lightly, and turn the beef as needed.
10. On the 6th or 7th day, remove the beef from the brine and rinse well with cold water.
11. Place in a large (8-quart or larger) pot.
12. Cover with cold water and add the celery, onions, and 2 cloves minced garlic.
13. Bring to a boil; skim off any scum which develops on the surface.
14. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
15. Uncover the pot and add the potatoes, carrots, rutabaga or turnip, and cabbage.
16. An 8-quart pot should be large enough, but if you don't have room for all of the vegetables, bring another pot of water to a boil and add a 1 tablespoon of salt; add the cabbage or other vegetables which wouldn't fit.
17. Cover the large pot and cook until meat and vegetables are tender, about 1 hour longer.
18. If cooking some vegetables in another pot, cook just until tender and keep warm.