I used to do my briskets in the oven. However for ease of being able to put a meal on in the morning, go to work, and have it ready to go that night when I get home, I switched over to using a slow cooker. What I’ve found though is that the flavour of my briskets doesn’t pop nearly as much when slow cooked.
So after a lot of trial and error I have a recipe that works. And the best bit is that it doesn’t take too much prep so you can still prepare it and set it going before going out for the day!
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion
1.5kg beef brisket
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef stock
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Method:
*Slice onion into thin half moons. Put the olive oil in the pan and slowly caramelize on a low heat, then set aside.
*Put the brisket in the frypan and sear on both sides.
*Make up 2 cups of beef stock. Mix in the two tables of Worcestershire sauce and the 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
*Place the brisket in the slow cooker, fat side up, and season with salt and pepper. Take the minced garlic and spread it over the top of the brisket.
*Pour in the beef stock mixture.
*Put in the onions, on top and around the brisket.
*Cook on low heat for 6 – 8 hours (depending on brisket size)
*Leave on warm for half an hour before serving.
And that’s it! A really simple yet really delicious way to add a bunch more flavour to your briskets.
For several years we have been doing Transformer Fan interviews with different Aussie collectors.
Well as the Big Angry Trev Blog grows, the borders of our great brown land are no longer big enough to contain it! So with our first internationalinterview, coming all the way from Malaysia, we have Transformer Collector David Lee, giving us the low down on his favorite hobby.
Name and/or nicknames:
David Lee / Sifu-David
Family:
Divorced, Mom, Dad and Sister all intact
Career:
Once an Accounts person but now a full time tertiary educator and the Head of Academic of a local Malaysian private University College.
How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection, to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?
I’d rate myself a solid C7, not too shabby, not too shambled.
Fan/Collector since (year)?:
1987 or 1987 when I was a kid, my late grandmother introduced me to Powermaster Optimus Prime and here I am with my collection.
Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?
I feel the Autobot cause is more for me as I always felt Freedom is the Right of all Sentient Beings.
Your Techspec motto if you had one?
“Between Logic and Emotions, nothing in between exists”
What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?
I would say it be Hot Rodimus / Rodimus Prime. As a leader at work, I always feel the doubt of my own abilities to lead and to bring a better future to the team.
Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?
I would personally like the ability to teleport/warp like Skywarp as there are places I need to reach which I can’t sometimes.
What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?
My late grandmother did. She introduced me to something which is for boys and said these robots seem to be a very good fit for a little boy at my age of 3 to 4.
Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?
Collect and keep them yes. But keep on buying, maybe not. I just have a specific wishlist to complete. Once it’s up, it’s done.
Do people outside of the hobby know you collect TFs (like at work/school)?
Yes, people do know and they do have very much negative things to say about it.
Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?
All my friends and family know about my collecting toys. At first my parents were kind of against it as it eats up space but as I got my own place, I got to do what I like, stock up more toys.
What does your partner think of your hobby?
My ex-wife was kind of on the fence on this. It made me famous in the local toy scene so she was riding along that fame, else, she did not like the toys clogging the house.
Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions, Special Events?
Many but not many Transformers related. Recently I participated to display some cool Armada Era Transformers at a local RoboCon.
Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?
I did have a story board in my head on a specific Transformers story culminating all Transformers series from G1 to Cybertron (my favourite list) and how ONE story can connect TILL ALL.
Favourite series/era/year, and why?
Super God Masterforce 1988. The first series that I was introduced on TV when the infamous Star TV dub came on air. I was mesmerised by how powerful Powermaster Optimus Prime (God Ginrai) was and how he single handedly defeated Black Zarak.
Collect any comics?
Nope, none.
Favourite Comic issue/story, and why?
I never really read them but I did the 1991 or 1992 Transformers Annual which was a hard cover compilation. I like the story on how Carnivac actually turned against the Decepticons and not liking the cause.
Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?
If I were to choose, I will go for Super God Masterforce’s Ep 15 The Birth of Super Ginrai. That was the episode that first saw Ginrai becoming a Super Robot, something that not many Transformers could do at that time.
Favourite Character, and why?
Ginrai. The human + the robot. Although he lacks in leadership and judgement, he covers up with compassion and care towards his subordinates like how he risked his life saving Go Shuta when he was lured into the Decepticon sea base.
Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character?
I’d say Arcee. The only robot that is definitely sexy.
Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?
I’d like to see a Star Saber in real life and see how a plane of such mass can work.
Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, 2000s etc):
Probably close to 300s I think.
Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?
PLAYER. I’d like to pose my Transformers out of their plastic / cardboard graves.
How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?
Probably close to US$5,000?
Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?
I have a G1 Refurbished Complete Black Zarak. That is the rarest and most expensive piece in my collection.
What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?
I do have a Bumbleebee pillow from Universal Studios Singapore.
First Transformers toy?
G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime which is still around this day.
One toy you most want?
Takara Micron Legends Convoy Final Battle version set aka the Japanese version of the Powerlinx Optimus Prime from Armada.
The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?
LG custom repainted Fire Guts God Ginrai done up in pure Orangey goodness.
Favourite toy in your early years of collecting?
It will have to be the Energon Prime with Energon Omega Supreme.
Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?
I would have to say the G1 Duocons. They look funny, so off proportions and they don’t really have arms.
Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them?
LG35 Super Ginrai. My first official Transformers after a long hiatus of not buying Transformers and my God, it sucks. The legs are wobbly, some joints are loose, so many problems. I don’t know where criticisms should start.
Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertible Transformers toys?
I’d say some gimmicky stuffs like Minicons from Armada are pretty nice and the Cyber Keys from Cybertron are very neat. However, I do stand my point on non-transforming Transformers being not Transformers at all.
Which single TFs toy should every fan own?
A WFC / Earthrise Optimus Prime. That is the closest to a G1 Optimus Prime you can get.
Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?
POTP Optimus Prime. To signify the young lad (Orion Pax) will now slowly evolve into a full grown man (Optimus Prime).
Many thanks to David for sharing his hobby with us. Got any follow up questions for him and his fantastic Transformers collection? Pop it in the comments section below!
It’s been over two years since the last installment, but we have another entry in the ever popular Transformer Fan Interviews! In this latest interview with Aussie TF collectors we are talking to Michael Vella, a young bloke who in recent years has become well known to many fans of Transformers down under.
Name and/or nicknames:
Michael Vella but I also go by Tha_Phantom online.
Family?
Married to my hobby:
What a breathtaking life partner he has!
Career?
I rearrange things out of order they happened so that they make sense. What I’m trying to say is that I do video editing for a living.
Website/Fan-pages?
I help admin a Facebook group called Transformers Down Under with fellow collectors Ben Keenan, Adam Templeton and Justin Masaru.
How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection, to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?
Probably a C6. Acceptable at a glance, but definitely some many issues present…
Do you accept into your life Big Angry Trev as your toy collecting savior and the Alpha (Trion) & Omega (Supreme) of all things?
Yes.
The admiration is palphable
Fan/Collector since (year)?
I started getting into collecting and watching Transformers around 1999. I know I was aware of Transformers earlier than that, though. They’ve sort of always been around because of my older brother being a fan. If memory serves correctly, 2005 is the only year since 1999 that I didn’t purchase at least one Transformer. I’ve taken a step back from collecting at certain times here and there, but ever since Combiner Wars I’ve been constantly buying and haven’t slowed down.
Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?
Maximal, because who doesn’t want to yell “maximise” as they transform?
Your Techspec motto if you had one?
“Prime’s death was an inside job.”
What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?
Probably Starscream. Always ambitious, but never getting there.
Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?
Skywarp’s teleporting sure would come in handy.
What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?
I think it’s the obvious aspect that you get two (or sometimes more) toys in one. I love that each toy is a unique experience and they have covered so many different alt modes now – especially since Bot Bots! I quite often will buy a figure based on the alt mode if I don’t already have a connection to the character and quite often the alt mode is why I will pay attention to a character.
Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?
Yes, definitely. There’s always something to add or replace in the display. It’s never finished.
Do people outside of the hobby know you collect TFs (like at work/school)?
Most people I interact with do know I collect. I don’t try to hide it but I also don’t go out of my way to bring it up unless it’s somehow relevant.
Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?
There was a bit of disapproval in my teenage years but now everyone in my family has accepted that’s what I do. I think they also like seeing that I’ve made a lot of new friends because of it since joining the online fandom.
Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions, Special Events?
Yes, I’ve not only attended but organised plenty of Sydney and even Melbourne fan meets over the years and helped run Transformer-related stands at a couple of Supernovas. As far as special events go, I was there for the POTP reveal at Hasbro Australia headquarters in 2017. I also contributed some of my own figures to the More Than Meets The Eye exhibition at Kings Comics earlier this year and I most recently was at the Sydney premiere of the Rise Of The Beasts film thanks to Hasbro Australia!
Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?
I’ve mildly dabbled with customisation, but nothing worth showing off. I usually get someone else to do it.
Favourite series/era/year, and why?
G1 era for sure. Those characters and designs always stuck with me from watching the cartoon, even though I grew up at a time when Beast Machines, RID and Armada toys were on shelves. As a kid I would often pretend that the current toys of the time were those G1 characters if they vaguely resembled them in some way! The vintage G1 toys have a such unique charm to them as well, despite the lack of articulation. So I’m thankful to be a part of online communities where I can back-collect them and learn more about the different variants and such.
Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?
My favourite cartoon episode is War Dawn from G1. I felt it had a good message and it was really cool to see the origin of Optimus Prime.
Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?
G1 Jazz.
Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, 2000s etc):
Currently at around 1200.
Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?
Out of packaging for the most part. I am the type of person who has to transform everything at least once. I do have some sealed items, but in most cases those are doubles or variants of loose figures I have, because curiosity would get the better of me otherwise.
How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?
I wouldn’t be able to guess, but it’d be an insane amount.
Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?
Yeah, I’ve always had a focus on the rarer items so I won’t go through them all. Some highlights would be a set of MOSC G2 Stunticon limbs, G1 Battle Gaia, a couple of test shots/prototypes etc.
What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?
An employee-only Happy Holidays RPM Bumblebee and 5/6 colour variants of the 1985 McDonalds Bumblebee toys (these toys were released only in a test market in the US).
First Transformers toy?
The first Transformers I ever bought were Beast Wars Scarem and Air Hammer at the same time with some confirmation money.
One toy you most want?
A Powered Convoy DX set, but realistically that’s never going to happen and it’s not technically a Transformer anyway. My current Transformer grail is a lucky draw Armada Prime, which I mostly want for the Sparkplug as I have all of his other colour variants. Sparkplug was a very special toy to me as a kid because of the obvious similarities to Bumblebee.
The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?
Probably my proudest acquisition would be my Diaclone red Mirage, but again that’s not technically a Transformer. So let’s go with my 1991 reissue Bumblebee as it was the first Bumblebee I ever got and I will never part with it even if I got out of collecting.
Favourite toy in your early years of collecting?
I can remember being so over the moon when I got Beast Machines Jetstorm and that is a big part of why I got so into collecting Transformers as a kid despite the lack of G1 on the shelves at the time. The metallic deco and overall aesthetic just grabbed me.
Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?
Not that I owned them, but I got to mess with a few of the first year Cyberversetoys and they were pretty bad especially for the price. Thankfully the line improved after that.
Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them?
It’s not something I tend to think about a lot, but Earthrise Bluestreak disappointed me so much so that I reverted back to the Siege version. Titanium War Within Optimus didn’t impress me much either because of the poorly thought out use of die cast.
Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertible Transformers toys?
I think that we as fans (but more so Hasbro) often forget that the most important gimmick for a Transformer should be that it converts from one thing to another, so generally I don’t care for other gimmicks that get in the way of that. I also have very little time for non-converting toys for that reason too, since that downgrades Transformers to being just like any other toyline. All that said, I do have exceptions to this rule. Especially from the 1987 G1 year as a few of those gimmicks were pretty cool.
Which single TFs toy should every fan own?
G1 Bumblebee! Such a timeless conversion that I’ll never get tired of and it’s easy to carry around with no accessories to lose. I may be a tad biased there, though.
Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?
Probably some Transformer themed cufflinks or a watch.
Do you collect other toys?
I do have interests in other toylines and collectables, but none come close to the extent of my Transformers collecting. My non-Transformer interests are Digimon cards and tamagotchis, Beyblades, McDonalds toys, Power Rangers, Star Wars, Tazos and DBZ anime cels.
What is your favourite TF themed post on this website?
I remember seeing your posts on TCCA when I was fairly new to the online community. Because of that, I already knew who you were when we met in person for the first time at thePOTP reveal.
Many thanks to Michael for his excellent interview. Got any more questions for Mr. Vella? Pop them into the comments section below!
