What is corned beef made of?
Corned beef is made from a cut of meat known as the “brisket” which comes from the shoulder part of the animal. The way it works is the closer to the chest the meat comes from – the tougher. The chuck and the brisket come from the shoulder part of the beef – the chuck being the “top” cut and the brisket the “bottom” cut. The way you usually get it in your local supermarket is packed in a seasoned brine mixture which varies from producer to producer, then sealed in a heavy plastic bag which is then vacuum sealed. Cooking directions also vary from company to company – or from chef to chef – but the method is pretty much the same. You put the piece of meat in a big pot with the brine and the little packet of extra spices, add enough water to cover everything, and let it boil. After about an hour, turn the heat down to a medium simmer and let it go until you can “stick a fork in it” without any resistance. Once you can do that, turn the heat down to a slow simmer and let it go about anothe
