First of all, I can tell from experience that...What ever you plan for...AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!! You plan 1.5 hrs/LB and it goes 3 hrs/LB. Or a storm blows up and knocks out power to the MES. You can always reheat or hold all the meat wrapped in foil and towels in a cooler for 5-6 hours. Cook ahead or figure 2 hrs/LB plus a 3 hour CYA/Rest time. If you look to be in the cooler by 1PM you will be Golden. Give this recipe a shot for the Brisket and PM if you need any other Finishing Sauce, BBQ Sauce or Rub Recipes...JJ
Smokey Au Jus
1- Lg Onion,
4-5 Carrots,
3-4 Ribs Celery
3-4 Peeled Cloves of Garlic
Toss them in a pan under the Beef, and let the whole deal Smoke for one hour,
THEN add 4-6 Cups Beef Broth,
2 Tbs Tomato Paste,
1/2tsp Dry Thyme (4-5 sprigs Fresh)
1-2 ea Bayleaf
Finish the Smoking process to the IT you want.
While the Roast is resting, dump the pan juices veggies and all into a 2-3Qt Sauce pot and add 1Cup Red Wine, something you like to drink, and bring the Jus to a boil, lower the heat and simmer 20-30 minutes. Strain out the veggies and let the Jus rest a minute or so for the Fat to rise. Skim off the bulk of the fat then using strips of paper towel laid on top of the Jus then quickly removed, take off the last little bit of fat.
The purpose of Smoking the Vegetable for 1 hour before adding the Broth and Herbs is...The Smoked vegetables Roast in the Dry heat concentrating their Flavors and Sweetness giving the finished Jus a Richer, Deeper, Full Flavor.
Serve the sliced Beef Au Jus or thicken the Jus to make Gravy.
NOTE: If you are using this recipe with Brisket, additional Water will have to be added periodically to maintain the proper volume. Do not add more Broth as repeated addition and reduction will make the Au Jus too salty..