Corned Beef Brisket and Reuben Sandwiches

St Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and the stores are stocking up on corned beef. Whether you like it with cabbage and potatoes or on a Reuben Sandwich, now is the time to splurge and enjoy!

Normally, I would cook a corned beef brisket in water on the stove with some cabbage and potatoes. This time I wanted to roast it and slice it thin for Reubens. So, I drained the liquid off and cooked it according to the roasting directions on the package...

350 degrees and 1 hour per pound...

then let stand for 15 minutes...

I actually let it cool more to be

 able to handle it and retain the juices.

loaded up on my slicer and

sliced as thin as possible...

All sliced except for that one

chunk and I have plans for it :-)

Buuuuurrrrrrppppp! Yum, that was good!

NOOO! I didn't eat it all! (OH! I did eat the crumbs on the plate! I am human ya know! :-) I plan on trying lots of Reuben Recipes this week... I'll start with sandwiches! :-)

 One regular Reuben Sandwich...

... and one toasted Reuben Sandwich!

German Mustard
Sauerkraut
Corned Beef
Swiss Cheese
Homemade Dressing
on Rye Bread!

February Food in Jars Mastery Challenge Results ~ Salt Preserving

I am participating in a year long Food In Jars Mastery Challenge hosted by Marisa from Food in Jars, and the February challenge was Salt Preserving! There were a host of ways to use salt.

Here are a few suggested recipes from Marisa:

Salt preserved lemons – This is an easy starting point. I make at least one batch of these every year. They add a tangy, funky bite to soups and stews. I often heap a bunch of them in the blender and puree them smooth. I dollop that puree into hummus, vinaigrettes, and other creamy spreads.

Salt preserved key limes – Some readers argued whether the fruit I used were in this project were actually key limes, but that’s what the bag said. They’re zippy and bright and worth the making.

Citrus salt – Another really simple one. Zest a bunch of lemons, limes, grapefruits, or oranges and combine them with chunky salt. Spread it out on plate or parchment-lined cookie sheet and let it air dry. Then sprinkle it over chicken, fish, dips, and roasted vegetables.

Herb salt – A variation on the citrus salt above, this expansive, wide-ranging recipe is flexible and adaptable.

Herbes salees – There’s a version of this recipe in my second book, but I learned everything I know about salt preserved herbs from Joel and Dana at Well Preserved. And so if their post was a good starting place for me, it’s a good starting place for you!

Gravlax – Quick cured and seasoned salmon that takes a few minutes to prep and just a couple days in the fridge to get good. It’s a low effort, high reward project and just the thing to make if you’re planning a dinner party or fancy brunch.

Cured egg yolks – I’ve not made these before, so I point you in the direction of Hank Shaw for instructions here. From what I hear, this relatively quick cure produces something with the flavor and depth of good cheese.

Kraut – There’s so many directions to go here. Start with a recipe that appeals and begin to explore.


Kimchi – This is my favorite approach, but it just one of many. If you decide to go in this direction, do try to stay away from the brined recipes and stick to the ones that are salted directly, as we’ll focus on wet brined foods later in the year.

Soup base – I almost always have a jar of this vegetable-heavy paste in my fridge for giving depth to soups and stews.



Below is a slide show of the different ways others in the challenge used Salt Preserving!

Corned Beef Brisket and Reuben Recipes

For some reason dozens of my friends are talking about Corned Beef this week. If you've been around me at all, you know that my favorite sandwich is a Reuben! I am so ready for some corned beef to use in all my Reuben recipes!

Normally, I would cook a corned beef brisket in water on the stove with some cabbage and potatoes. This time I wanted to roast it and slice it thin for Reubens. So, I drained the liquid off and cooked it according to the roasting directions on the package...

350 degrees and 1 hour per pound...

then let stand for 15 minutes...

I actually let it cool more to be

 able to handle it and retain the juices.

loaded up on my slicer and

sliced as thin as possible...

All sliced except for that one

chunk and I have plans for it :-)

Buuuuurrrrrrppppp! Yum, that was good!

NOOO! I didn't eat it all! (OH! I did eat the crumbs on the plate! I am human ya know! :-) I plan on trying lots of Reuben Recipes this week... I'll start with sandwiches! :-)

 One regular Reuben Sandwich...

... and one toasted Reuben Sandwich!

...and a Reuben Appetizer. Cocktail Reubens!

36 slices party rye bread (1 mini loaf)
Thousand Island salad dressing
2 pkgs (4oz each) cooked, sliced corn beef
German spicy mustard
1 cup sauerkraut, drained
6 slices of Swiss cheese

Spread each slice of bread with salad dressing. Top with 2 slices of corn beef. Add mustard, and then 1 teaspoon of sauerkraut. Cut each cheese slice into 6 pieces; place 1 piece on each appetizer. Broil at 425 degrees 4 to 5 inches from heat, for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

I really had my mouth set on a Rueben, but...

A long time ago, my Dad had an old black man that worked a crew for his construction company. Doc had no idea how old he was or when is birthday was. He was born at home and had no birth certificate. He also could not read. My Mama, who ran the office decided to appoint him a birth date and celebrated his birth day each year.
One week, Daddy had the men out of town working. They had finished the job and done an outstanding job. Daddy decided to treat them to supper at a steakhouse. While waiting in line, Doc asked my Dad if the restaurant served fried chicken. He told Doc that he didn't think so, but he'd ask. When it came time to order, Dad asked the lady if the had any chicken. She responded, "No... we only have steaks." Doc looked at her and said, "I really had my mouth set on chicken, so give me the closest thing you got!" He smiled at her and walked away! She stood there absolutely dumbfounded! My Dad ordered for Doc and they enjoyed their meal.

That being said... I've had my mouth set on a good homemade Reuben sandwich for quiet a while now. I just knew when we went to Florence yesterday, I'd find some corned beef! NOT! I found some Black Forest Ham and decided it was better than nothing.

So today, I decided to make a Fake Reuben...

Dummy me forgot the Rye Bread, so I made it on white. YUCK!

I couldn't find my German Mustard, until after I made the sandwich and was putting everything up!

A Fake Reuben in not better than nothing!

I'm going to the store to shop for church supper.
I'm getting some rye bread and corned beef even if I have to buy that processed stuff in the little packets!

Reuben Passion

Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE a good Reuben Sandwich! I have been so aggravated that all the deli shops in Sumter have stopped carrying Corned Beef! I've even been tempted (when money is available) to purchase an entire Deli Corned Beef (about 6 -8 pounds)! I do have my own meat slicer, so why not?!?! Right? I guess I need to go to Sam's or some wholesale store and buy gallon jugs of Bavarian Sauerkraut and German Mustard! Not to mention several loaves of Jewish Rye and a couple of pounds of Swiss Cheese! Are you getting that I love, love, love Reubens?!?!?!

Well, I received a picture from a follower on Facebook of a Reuben, Green Chili Cheeseburger and Green Chili Fries from the High Desert Brewing Co. and Speck's Wine and Liquids! This looks so good that I had to share it with you... and if I ever get to Las Cruces NM... I'm going straight to High Desert Brewing Co!!! I'll tell them Gigi sent me :-)

Reuben Recipes

I figured that Reuben Recipes are a good subject around St Patrick's Day. These are a few variations of the classic Reuben. Enjoy!

Reuben Soup


Could you get anymore twisted than Reuben Soup? This sounds so weird, but the flavor is outstanding! Unique and delicious!

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups water
4 cubes beef bouillon
8 ounces shredded corned beef
1 cup sauerkraut, drained
3 cups half-and-half cream
3 cups shredded Swiss cheese
8 slices rye bread, toasted and cut into triangles


In a large saucepan, cook onion and celery in butter until tender; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in water and bouillon, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in corned beef, sauerkraut, cream, and 1 cup of the cheese. Cook and stir for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 ovenproof bowls. Top each serving with a slice of bread and sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese on top of each slice of bread. Place in oven under broiler until the cheese melts and lightly browns.



Twisted Reuben

1/2 cup Coleslaw blend
1 Tbsp. Horseradish Dijon Flavored Mayonnaise
2 slices Rye bread
6 slices Deli Cracked Black Pepper Turkey Breast
1 Swiss Cheese Slice


Combine coleslaw blend and mayonnaise. Fill bread slices with turkey, cheese and coleslaw.


Take Along In A Picnic:
Prepare as directed, but do not add coleslaw to sandwich. Wrap sandwich; place coleslaw in small covered container. Refrigerate both until ready to pack in insulated lunch bag. Add coleslaw to sandwich just before serving.

That being said... There is still nothing better than the original Reuben, a hot sandwich of layered corned beef, Bavarian Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, Spicy German Mustard and Thousand Island dressing, grilled between two slices of rye bread!!! YUM!!!

Cocktail Reubens

36 slices party rye bread (1 mini loaf)
Thousand Island salad dressing
2 pkgs (4oz each) cooked, sliced corn beef
German spicy mustard
1 cup sauerkraut, drained
6 slices of swiss cheese


Spread each slice of bread with salad dressing. Top with 2 slices of corn beef. Add mustard, and then 1 teaspoon of sauerkraut. Cut each cheese slice into 6 pieces; place 1 piece on each appetizer. Broil at 425 degrees 4 to 5 inches from heat, for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Bad Weather Food... Soups On!

Tornado and Severe Weather Warnings out today... It has been unseasonably warm, but with the bad weather comes cold rain and wind! These soups are wonderful to have on the stove staying warm until you're ready to eat.


Baked Potato Soup

3 bacon strips, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
2 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Minced fresh parsley

In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Set bacon aside. Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender. Stir in flour, salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, cream, sour cream and hot pepper sauce; heat through but do not boil. Garnish with bacon, cheese and parsley.




Cheeseburger Soup

2 T butter

1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups beef stock
1 cup milk
16 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 lb hamburger
2-3 T flour
lettuce & tomato, largely chopped

Saute the onions in butter until translucent. Add 2 cups beef stock and 1 cup milk. Add cubed Velveeta and stir until melted. Cook hamburger. Add about 2 - 3 tablespoons of flour to the hamburger. (This will make a slurry when the flour combines with the fat off of the hamburger.) Add the hamburger mixture to the soup. Bring soup up to a high simmer. If the soup is too thick, add a little more stock. When ready to serve, throw a handful of lettuce and tomato in a bowl and top with several spoonfuls of soup. Cheeseburger in a bowl!

Tuscan Soup

6 cups chicken broth
1 onion, chopped
3 (3.5 ounce) links spicy Italian sausage
3 large potatoes, cubed
1 bunch fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1/4 cup evaporated milk
salt and pepper to taste


Remove skin from sausage and crumble into frying pan. Add chopped onion, and cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Place meat in a large pot; add stock and potatoes. Boil until potato is cooked.
Add spinach. Continue boiling until spinach is lightly cooked. Remove soup from heat, stir in evaporated milk, and season to taste.


Reuben Soup
Could you get anymore twisted than Reuben Soup? This sounds so weird, but the flavor is outstanding! Unique and delicious!

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups water
4 cubes beef bouillon
8 ounces shredded corned beef
1 cup sauerkraut, drained
3 cups half-and-half cream
3 cups shredded Swiss cheese
8 slices rye bread, toasted and cut into triangles


In a large saucepan, cook onion and celery in butter until tender; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in water and bouillon, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in corned beef, sauerkraut, cream, and 1 cup of the cheese. Cook and stir for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 ovenproof bowls. Top each serving with a slice of bread and sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese on top of each slice of bread. Place in oven under broiler until the cheese melts and lightly browns.

Reuben Soup

Could you get anymore twisted than Reuben Soup? This sounds so weird, but the flavor is outstanding! Unique and delicious!

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups water
4 cubes beef bouillon
8 ounces shredded corned beef
1 cup sauerkraut, drained
3 cups half-and-half cream
3 cups shredded Swiss cheese
8 slices rye bread, toasted and cut into triangles

In a large saucepan, cook onion and celery in butter until tender; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in water and bouillon, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in corned beef, sauerkraut, cream, and 1 cup of the cheese. Cook and stir for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 ovenproof bowls. Top each serving with a slice of bread and sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese on top of each slice of bread. Place in oven under broiler until the cheese melts and lightly browns.

Sauerkraut Inspired Recipes

Sauerkraut Balls

1 pound Idaho potatoes, peeled, diced and cooked until tender
2 cups sauerkraut
1 cup small diced Bavarian ham
2 egg yolks
3/4 cup whole grain mustard
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons milk
3 cups fine dried bread crumbs
Oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Using a food ricer, rice the potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Add the sauerkraut, ham, egg yolks, 1/4 cup of mustard and chopped green onions. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into small balls, about a tablespoon each. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer and freeze for 30 minutes.

Preheat the fryer. Season the flour, egg wash, and bread crumbs, with salt and pepper. Roll each sauerkraut ball in the flour, coating completely. Dip each in the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Finally roll each in the bread crumbs. Fry the sauerkraut balls in batches until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the fryer and drain on paper towels. Season with salt.

In small mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of the mustard and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. Serve the sauerkraut balls on a large platter with the mustard dipping sauce. Garnish with parsley.

Cocktail Reubens

36 slices party rye bread (1 mini loaf)
Thousand Island salad dressing
2 pkgs (4oz each) cooked, sliced corn beef
German spicy mustard
1 cup sauerkraut, drained
6 slices of swiss cheese

Spread each slice of bread with salad dressing. Top with 2 slices of corn beef. Add mustard, and then 1 teaspoon of sauerkraut. Cut each cheese slice into 6 pieces; place 1 piece on each appetizer. Broil at 425 degrees 4 to 5 inches from heat, for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Spareribs and Sauerkraut

2 sides spareribs
salt and pepper
2 stalks celery
1 medium onion
1 can sauerkraut
1 teaspoon caraway seeds

Cut spareribs into serving pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place into a deep pan or dutch oven. Add 2 cups hot water, sliced celery and onions. Simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hrs. (Ribs may be browned before cooking in water, if desired.) Lift out spareribs, place sauerkraut in bottom of pan. Mix in caraway seeds and a little sugar. Place ribs over sauerkraut. Cover pan and continue cooking for 30 minutes.