Food Porn for a Homesick Texan

by Erica Cooksey

1 can beef broth

1 head garlic, separated into cloves and cut in half

1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice

3/4 cup soy sauce

1 tables

poon liquid smoke

1 pound point cut/second cut beef brisket, preferably with fat untrimmed

1 small red onion

Prepared BBQ sauce (I used Stubb's brand)

Shredded queso quesadilla or Monterey jack

Refried black beans

Red taco sauce or enchilada sauce

6 10-inch flour tortillas

Butter

NOTE: Due to time constraints and never before having used my stovetop smoker for brisket, I braised it prior to smoking to ensure tenderness. In the future, I would recommend just finding a good recipe for Texas-style smoked brisket and doing that without the braise. Alternately, if you don't have a smoker, just sear the outside of the meat on the stovetop and then braise it for a little longer.

1. Combine the first five ingredients in a deep casserole dish, small enough that the brisket will be immersed in the liquid. Set the brisket in, cover tightly with foil, and cook at 300 degrees for an hour. Let the brisket briefly cool in the juices, then transfer to a stovetop smoker and smoke over mesquite for an hour or so. Let cool and then shred.

2. Meanwhile, thickly slice the red onion and saute over medium low until caramelized. Season with salt.

3. Heat a generous amount of butter over medium high heat. Brown each tortilla on both sides, adding more butter as necessary. Set aside.

4. Combine some of the beans with a splash of taco sauce until it's thin enough to spread judiciously but not runny.

5. To assemble a quesadilla, coat one tortilla with a thin layer of beans. Arrange the brisket on top and drizzle with BBQ sauce. Cover with shredded cheese and caramelized onions. Top with a second tortilla. Repeat with remaining 4 tortillas, making three quesadillas in total.

6. Bake at 375 for 5 minutes or until cheese is gooey. Serve with pico de gallo.

Pico de Gallo

4-5 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced

1-2 fresh poblano peppers, seeded and diced

1 bunch scallions, sliced about 1/4" thick

1-2 limes

1 bunch cilantro, leaves only, minced

1-2 avocados, diced

Combine ingredients and chill thoroughly.