Good and Frustrating - Brisket and Brie Quesadillas

Why am I the only person in the world who can’t make anything in the crock-pot.  Ok, I lied, I can make chili or soup in the crock pot  but every meat I try turns out dry and yucky.

I made the recipe below that I got from Pinterest.  Went to Central Market to buy a brisket and followed the recipe exactly.  I ended up with dry chewy meat.  I served it to my family anyway and just chopped it up really small and it was still pretty good.  The mango barbecue sauce and brie combination was heavenly.  It just would have been better to actually have tender brisket to go with it.

picture from jasonandshawnda.com

Does anyone have any suggestions for the crock pot?  I consider myself a pretty good cook most of the time but every time I use the crockpot, I ruin a meal.  Help!!!

 
Brisket & Brie Quesadillas with Mango Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients

• Brisket
• 3 lb brisket
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 16 oz Dublin Dr. Pepper (made with real sugar)
• Mango Barbecue Sauce
• 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 3/4 – 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp Creole (spicy brown) mustard
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/4 cup mango chutney
• Quesadillas
• 8 8-in flour tortillas
• 8 oz brie, thinly sliced
• 1 cup monterrey jack, shredded
• olive oil or cooking spray, to brush tortillas
• cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. To make the brisket: Rub the meat with salt, pepper, chili powder, and garlic.
2. Place brisket in the crockpot and pour the Dr. Pepper over the top.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.
4. Remove from the crockpot and let rest for 15 minutes.
5. Slice against the grain (1/8-1/4 inch thick).
6. To make the barbecue sauce: Heat olive oil in a 2-qt sauce pan.
7. Saute onions for 5 minutes.
8. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
9. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.
10. Transfer to a blender or food processor and run until smooth.
11. To assemble the quesadillas: Heat a griddle or large pan over medium-high.
12. Lay out the tortillas. Divide the meat, brie, and monterrey jack between the tortillas, placing the meat and cheese on half of the tortilla.
13. Top with a spoonful or two of barbecue sauce and fold the other half over.
14. Place on the heated grill (brushing the tortilla with oil or cooking spray will prevent sticking).
15. Cook until the bottom is crisp and flip over.
16. Remove from heat and slice into thirds. Serve with extra barbecue sauce.

Yields: 8 servings

Adapted from The Pastry Queen, 2004