December, 2021 ~ Let's come up with some ideas!

bethk wrote:Hey, Norm!

I need some advice.

My daughter's husband wants to smoke a brisket for Christmas ~ has never done one before.  I've checked your blog and I cannot find any instructions other than "Smoked for 8 hours with applewood.  Can you give me a little more info ~ ie: how much fat cap to leave on, seasoning,  smoke to what temperature, when to wrap in butcher paper, etc.  ?

Since this will be his first time he's not expecting to have 'fabulous' but it would be nice to have a little more experienced advice.

Thanks!

NormM wrote:

bethk wrote:Hey, Norm!

I need some advice.

My daughter's husband wants to smoke a brisket for Christmas ~ has never done one before.  I've checked your blog and I cannot find any instructions other than "Smoked for 8 hours with applewood.  Can you give me a little more info ~ ie: how much fat cap to leave on, seasoning,  smoke to what temperature, when to wrap in butcher paper, etc.  ?

Since this will be his first time he's not expecting to have 'fabulous' but it would be nice to have a little more experienced advice.

Thanks!

Have him check out this on you tube. It is how I got started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmTzdMHu5KU&t=18s    PS. 8 hours is how soon a prime cut brisket from Costco generally takes.  A choice brisket might take longer... a lot longer because it has less fat and you have to cook it until the collagen melts and a fork just slides in almost like the brisket isn't there.

bethk wrote:Neighbor Jim is flying to Pittsburgh tomorrow (Dane's taking him to the airport) so he wanted to take us out to supper for Christmas.  Of course, we went to his favorite Bamboo Bistro.  It's so funny because we always ask to be seated in Kenny's section and Kenny knows Jim always orders the same thing ~ a chicken stir fry with NO BROCCOLI (because Jim doesn't like green stuff....LOL).  Dane ordered mussels and I decided on the Snow Mountain Shrimp which is fried shrimp with a sweet white sauce over fried mung bean noodles.

Everything was delicious and I ended up eating every bite ~ except any of my rice which would have taken me over the top in being way too full.

bethk wrote:My vaccine prediction came true.....my body has the strangest reaction to any vaccine....the same with a flu vaccine that I get every year without fail.  One day of 'down-time' doesn't mean I shouldn't get it.

But this booster was the strangest yet.  It was like having an entire flu illness in one short day.  I woke up and went to have a cup of coffee (normal)....it made me ill.  So I tried some saltine crackers so I could take my morning meds.  Mistake there, too.  LOL

So, I just went to bed.  Then I got cold...I'm NEVER cold!  I even considered putting on some socks as my feet felt like ice cubes.  But the effort to get up and try to find a pair of socks wasn't worth it so I just doubled up on a cotton throw to go over my legs in bed.  Next time I woke up I was HOT!  (now that's normal....)  I tried to drink some ice water but it just gagged me.  Back to bed.

About 4:30 I really felt much better ~ like the end of the flu ~ and I warmed up some chicken stock I had made & thawed just so I'd have an option to hydrate my body.  It was good but I don't think I got much hydration from the scant 1/4 c. I was able to get down before feeling 'full'.  But it was nourishment, all the same.

I was back in bed for the night by 7:30 and when I woke up at 6 all the symptoms have magically disappeared (except for a sore back from laying around all day yesterday) and I'm ready to get going on my chicken pot pie for tonight's supper!

Gee, I wonder if I lost 40 pounds yesterday???    I better go check!  (doubtful, I know, but a girl can dream)