Pastrami Tartine Recipes

PRIMETIME PASTRAMI

Steps:

• For the brine: In a large stockpot, add half of the water, the brown sugar, kosher salt, curing salt, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, juniper berries, chile flakes, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon and star anise and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 30 minutes. Add the remaining water with some ice to chill the brine.
• For the rub: Grind the peppercorns, coriander and juniper until crushed but still a little chunky. Add to a mixing bowl. Add the salt, brown sugar, chile flakes and granulated garlic and stir to combine.
• For the pastrami: First, clean all the fat off the brisket including the "V" between the two muscles, then follow the fat between the two muscles and separate them making a flat and a cap.
• Transfer the brine to a large hotel pan or roasting pan. Add the brisket and refrigerate at least 5 days and no more than 10 days. Make sure the brisket is stirred once a day to get an evenly brined brisket.
• After a minimum of 5 days, prepare a smoker for 225 degrees F.
• Remove the pastrami, rinse it and blot dry with paper towels. Thoroughly rub the brined brisket with the pastrami rub. Place in smoker and cook for 8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 210 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

REUBEN PASTRAMI/ NAVEL PASTRAMI

Steps:

• For the brine: Add 1 gallon of water to large pot. Add salt, sugar, garlic and curing salt and stir until it dissolves.
• Put navel in brine fully submerged. Leave in refrigerator for 5 days.
• For the pastrami: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the navel from the brine. Stir together the allspice, coriander, pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder and dry mustard in a bowl. Sprinkle the rub all over the navel until fully covered. Place in a roasting pan and cover with foil. Bake until a fork can easily pierce through, about 1 hour. Slice when ready.

PASTRAMI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add olive oil to coat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until no longer hot to the touch.
• Meanwhile, combine the eggs, breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup water in a large bowl. Allow to sit until the breadcrumbs are soaked through, about 5 minutes. Add the onions and garlic, parsley, mustard powder, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, cinnamon, coriander, liquid smoke, allspice, cloves, ginger and some black pepper. Mix to combine, then add the ground beef. Mix until thoroughly combined; I like to use my hands to make sure that everything is evenly incorporated. Form 1-ounce balls, a little bigger than 1 inch in diameter, and place on the prepared baking sheets spaced 1 inch apart.
• Bake until cooked through and beginning to brown, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, spread rye squares on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Top each toast with a squirt of brown mustard (about 1/2 teaspoon or as desired), 1 meatball and 1 pickle chip. Hold it all together with a toothpick and serve!

PASTRAMI SALMON

Steps:

• Place salmon on a platter. In a bowl, combine salt, sugar and one tablespoon of the cracked pepper. Mix well, and coat both sides of the salmon with mixture.
• In a food processor combine coriander, parsley and shallots. Puree until smooth but not watery. Coat both sides of salmon with mixture.
• Cover, and refrigerate salmon for 2 to 3 days.
• Scrape marinade from fish, and discard. Dry fish with paper towels.
• In a saucepan, combine molasses, cayenne and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, and simmer for one minute. Allow molasses mixture to cool slightly. Using a brush, paint fish on both sides with the mixture.
• Sprinkle paprika, coriander, 2 tablespoons of the ground black pepper and the cracked pepper on both sides of fish. Refrigerate salmon overnight.
• Cut salmon widthwise on a bias into thin slices. Serve with mustard oil and rye toast