Reuben Sandwich

Step 1

Make the brine: Combine the salt, brown sugar, pickling spice, coriander seeds, yellow mustard seeds, pink curing salt and 1 gallon water in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 15 minutes to awaken all the spices. Turn off the burner and allow liquid to cool to below 40 degrees F, either by waiting or by adding some ice to melt and cool it down. Once the liquid is cool, pour it over the brisket in a large container, cover with lid and place it in the fridge for at least 3 days and up to 1 week.

Step 2

Preheat a smoker for cooking over 225 degrees F.

Step 3

Remove the brisket from the brining liquid and rinse off any excess brine from the exterior. Pat the brisket dry and place it on a smoking rack. Mix together the fresh ground coriander seeds, black pepper, white sugar and granulated garlic, then liberally sprinkle both sides of the brisket with the spice mix. Let rest 1 hour.

Step 4

Place brisket fat-side up on a smoking tray and place in smoker. Add soaked and drained hickory wood chips and smoke until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 190 degrees F, about 12 hours.

Step 5

Allow the meat to cool completely, preferably overnight. Thinly slice against the grain.

Step 6

Preheat a convection oven to 450 degrees F.

Step 7

Layer slices of Swiss cheese on the rye bread and layer on a good portion of thinly sliced pastrami brisket. Toast the sandwich in the oven to heat the meat and melt the cheese, then finish with sauerkraut and Russian dressing. (Save remaining meat for another use.)