Texas-Style Smoked Brisket

Ingredients:

    * 4 lbs beef brisket, trimmed
    * 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
    * 2 tablespoons chili powder
    * 2 tablespoons paprika
    * 2 tablespoons salt
    * 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    * 1 tablespoon onion powder
    * 1 tablespoon black pepper
    * 1 tablespoon cayenne
    * 2 teaspoons dry mustard
    * 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    * mesquite wood chips


Barbecue Sauce

    * 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    * 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
    * 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
    * 4 cups ketchup
    * 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
    * 2 tablespoons cane syrup
    * 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
    * 1/2 cup yellow mustard
    * 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
    * 3 tablespoons hot red pepper sauce
    * 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more to taste


Essence Creole Seasoning

    * 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
    * 2 tablespoons salt
    * 2 tablespoons garlic powder
    * 1 tablespoon black pepper
    * 1 tablespoon onion powder
    * 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
    * 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
    * 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions:

Prep Time: 30 mins Total Time: 6 hrs

   1. Set the brisket on a large sheet of plastic wrap.
   2. In a medium bowl combine the dark brown sugar, chili power, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, dry mustard, and cumin thoroughly.
   3. Rub the mixture onto the brisket and wrap tightly in the plastic wrap.
   4. Place on a baking sheet and let marinate refrigerated at least 6 hours or overnight.
   5. Remove the meat from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature.
   6. Soak mesquite wood chips in a large bowl of water for 1 to 2 hours.
   7. Remove, drain and set aside.
   8. Prepare a smoker with charcoal and the wood chips according to the manufacturer's instructions to 180 to 200 degrees F.
   9. Place the water pan in the smoker and add water to the fill line, about 2/3 full.
  10. Place the unwrapped brisket on the lower rack off the direct heat, close the lid, and cook, regularly stoking the fire and adding additional chips, until an instant-read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees F, about 4 to 5 hours.
  11. Remove the meat from the grill and let rest for 20 minutes before carving the meat against the grain.
  12. (Alternately, prepare a stove-top smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the unwrapped brisket on the rack over low heat. Close the lid and smoke for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Remove the meat from the smoker and wrap in) BBQ Sauce: In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  13. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes.
  14. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  15. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, cane syrup, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire, hot sauce, Essence, and red pepper flakes and bring to a boil.
  16. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the flavors marry, 15 to 20 minutes.
  17. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before serving.
  18. Essence: Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Real Texas BBQ in Grapevine

Budget cut bombshell during Gov’s $2 mil black tie bbq

Governor Rick Perry’s words from his inauguration speech still echoes in Austin.

‘We must continue investing in our people, developing young minds, grooming and attracting the best and brightest in the fields of science and medicine, giving individuals the tools and the freedom to prosper,’ Perry declared, as unfortunate news loomed, waiting to be revealed later.

The Governor and some 10,000 party goers tripped the light fantastic during his inauguration festivities last night. A $2 million dollar dance and celebration, paid for by state lobbyists.  Postponed, so as not to dampen party spirits, the new budget proposal was announced late Tuesday. The draft (available online), expected to be filed with the Texas House of Representatives later this week, proposed major budget cuts across the board for state funding.

The state is facing a budget shortfall estimated between $15 and $27 billion. The state constitution requires a balanced budget, and because Republican leaders pledged not to raise taxes, as well as not to touch the state's projected $9.4 billion rainy day fund, that left no choice but wielding the budget axe.

'As legislators do the hard work of trimming agency budgets, the headlines will be dominated by impacted constituencies, but these tough times dictate government doing more with less’, said the Governor during his inaugural address.

Public education will see a 13% budget cut, which would not include funding for the additional 170,000 new students expected to be enrolled over the next two years in TX public schools. Funding for pre-k programs would be dropped, denying access for over 100,000 children from public school. In addition, a 7.6% drop in higher education is slated. Financial aid for incoming freshmen and new students will be generally eliminated. Over the next two years, more than 70,000 students would be dropped from the Texas Grants scholarship program. Some community colleges will also be shut down.

Health and Human serviced will see nearly a 25% budget cut. It’s recommended Medicaid, Chip and food stamps be cut by $2 billion. Also included is a 10% cut to Medicaid provider rates, which is what Dr.’s and hospitals are paid. The draft cuts also include a $241 million dollar cut in state health services, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program and $36 million in assisted living funds and $2 million to the Department of Aging.

The plan would eliminate 9,600 state jobs over the next two years. The Department of Criminal Justice faces $459 million in cuts. More than 3,100 guards, parole officers and corrections employee jobs will be eliminated. Many privately run prisons will be closed and there will be major cutbacks in treatment and rehabilitation programs and medical care.

‘It’s a catastrophe. No financial aid for kids to go to college. No pre-kindergarten for kids to learn their numbers and their letters. Health and human services slashed,” said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine. ‘No Texan can be proud of this.’