Nothing says comfort like BBQ brisket and homemade mac n cheese

I love brisket and have never made it before and I was looking for an excuse to use my crock pot.  As I was thinking about the brisket I also thought what would go great with it? I then turned it in to a full on comfort food menu and decided to go with homemade mac n cheese. These two recipes will make you feel right at home...perfect for football at home!


BBQ Brisket

2 -3 lbs fresh beef brisket
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays Sweet and Spicy)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons liquid smoke
4 cloves of garlic

Directions:

Trim fat from brisket. If necessary, cut to fit into crock pot.
Combine chili powder, garlic powder, celery seed and pepper; rub evenly over meat. Place meat in a 3 1/2-5 quart crock pot.
For sauce, combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar,  Worcestershire sauce, garlic and liquid smoke. Pour over brisket.
Cover; cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Remove meat from cooker. Cut the brisket into thin slices across the grain. Skim fat off juices in cooker; serve juices with meat. (I cooked on high and would opt for 4 hours not 5).

Brisket Recipe was adapted but not followed 100% from:
http://www.food.com/recipe/smoky-barbecue-beef-brisket-crock-pot-150850


Mac n Cheese

Ingredients

Sauce
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk {or 3/4 cup evaporated milk and 3/4 cup water}
• 1-3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup Jack cheese, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt {or sea salt}
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
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Pasta
• 3-1/4 cups penne pasta
• 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup Jack cheese, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 
  

Instructions

Sauce
1. Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Continue whisking and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Cook until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add cheeses, salt, chili powder and garlic powder. Stir until cheese is melted and all ingredients are incorporated, about 3 minutes. Set aside

Pasta
1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish.
2. Cook penne for 2 minutes less than package directions. (It will finish cooking in the oven.)
3. Rinse pasta in cold water and drain well.
4. Combine pasta and sauce in a medium bowl; mix carefully but thoroughly.
5. Scrape the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle top with cheeses and then the chili powder.
6. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe adapted from:
http://www.alli-n-son.com/2011/03/06/homemade-mac-cheese/