CORNED BEEF BY ALTON BROWN

Steps:

• Place the water into a large 6 to 8 quart stockpot along with salt, sugar, saltpeter, cinnamon stick, mustard seeds, peppercorns, cloves, allspice, juniper berries, bay leaves and ginger.
• Cook over high heat until the salt and sugar have dissolved.
• Remove from the heat and add the ice.
• Stir until the ice has melted.
• If necessary, place the brine into the refrigerator until it reaches a temperature of 45 degrees (I put mine in the refrigerator over night).
• Once it has cooled, place the brisket in a 2-gallon zip top bag and add the brine.
• Seal and lay flat inside a container, cover and place in the refrigerator for 10 days.
• Check daily to make sure the beef is completely submerged and stir the brine.
• After 10 days, remove from the brine and rinse well under cool water.
• Place the brisket into a pot just large enough to hold the meat, add the onion, carrot and celery and cover with water by 1-inch.
• Set over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the meat is fork tender.
• Remove from the pot and thinly slice across the grain.
• My Crock pot method:.
• After 10 days, remove from the brine and rinse well under cool water.
• Place the brisket into bottom of crock pot.
• Add 5 potatoes cut in half and 1 pound baby carrots.
• Turn on high and cook for 2 hours.
• Add whole head of cabbage that you have quartered.
• Make sure you keep cabbage from touching the crock pot so it will not burn.
• Cook another 2 hours on high.
• Slice and serve with the vegetables.