Help preparing a brisket for Salt Beef/Pastrami

Referencing the bottom photo in your post, the lean part on the bottom is the flat. The lump on the top of the right side appears to be part of the point. The leaner flat makes excellent pastrami, as does the point. For ease of processing, I'd go ahead and separate the two, remove as much fat as you can and process them both into pastrami. The flat will yield what I associate with good deli pastrami, very lean and when cooked properly and sliced thin very tender. The point will yield a more fatty, unctuous treat. If I had to choose, I'd say I like the point better, but the lean variety is quite delicious. You have both so you can decide which works for you.


Here is a point I made into pastrami:

And here is a flat. Since the flat doesn't have much internal marbling I injected this one with a mixture of beef broth and gelatin. I believe canned consommé with jelly would work too:

I personally have not done a pastrami from scratch, preferring to start with a corned beef. Regardless, I think the Boat Bums got you pointed in the right direction since he has. I always refer to a former members very informative post on this as being very detailed when I want a reference on pastrami. You may find it informative and helpful before starting your project......Willie 

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/104277/pastrami-from-the-begining-update-its-finally-done

I should point out (pardon the pun) that I haven't done pastrami from fresh beef either and didn't mean to imply I had. The 2 examples I provided were both from pre-corned cuts. I was simply referring to the differences in the parts of the brisket and the relative advantages of each. Sorry for any confusion.

Leave a min of 5-10mm of fat cap. You want some fat as you get lots of flavor there and screw the calories as you don't eat it every day. Below is my fav recipe for a spice rub for Pastrami. For the curing brine you can go as simple as Pops Brine or add 30-60ml of Pickling Spice...JJ

Better 'en NY Pastrami Rub

2T Turbinado Sugar

2T Black Peppercorns

1T Coriander Seed

1T Dill Seed

1T Dry Minced Onion

1T Dry Minced Garlic

1tsp Allspice Berries

1tsp Mustard Seed

1tsp Dry Thyme Leaves

3 Bay Leaves, crumbled

1tsp Juniper Berries 

All Spices are Whole and were toasted in a dry pan over Medium heat until fragrant.

Let the Spices cool then Grind in a cheapo Coffee Grinder until slightly less than Coarse. The Garlic and Onion do not need to be toasted. If grinding do so only slightly as the Minced size is pretty close to perfect for Pastrami.