Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

SAUSAGES,CHARCUTERIE and DELI ARTS
Muppet
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Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Muppet »

Inspired by Gnol's recent efforts I just had to have a go at Characuterie. I purchased the book Characuterie the craft of salting and smoking and on my last R&R started with the basics.
The recipes and methods I used were straight from the book although the more I read about it the more I think one needs to do their homework before trying. Therefore Im not willing to post the recipes.

Ham
I picked a wet brine for the scotch that consisted of salt, brown sugar and cure No 1. No aromatics or such as I can use this as a baseline. Mixed up the desired amount, injected then submerged in a airtight container for a week.
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Bacon
For the Bellies I went with a dry cure of salt, white sugar and cure No 1. One just basic and the other added maple syrup for a sweeter product. I used the salt box method as described in the book (basicly covering with the cure and shaking the excess off) then vac sealed and into the fridge for a week as well. Turning twice a day.
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Last edited by Muppet on Fri May 01, 2015 4:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Muppet
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Muppet »

A week later it's time for Smoking, After much searching on the forum I saw that many of the long timers here preferred cold smoking first then finish off with a hot smoke to the desired temp. As luck has it we had a cold night and a new Smokai to try out (thanks Chris) I had a 4l block of ice ready and chilled the Kamado for a couple of hours, Set the Smokai up with plain hickory chips. Starting pit temp was 11C and after a 5 hour smoke it ended up at 17C (pretty happy with that)
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Then wrapped them all back up and chilled overnight.
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Muppet
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Muppet »

The next morning was Hot smoking time, I wasn't happy with how it was all fitting so decided to do the bacon and ham seperatly, cleaned out the fire box and stacked a new load of fresh charcoal for a long low and slow. Strategically placed a few hickory chunks which over the cook took some adjusting/maintaining. Bacon first then the ham later. Fired it all up to 210F hooked up the trusty Mav and let the kamado sing until target temp.
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Final pics were a bit rushed as my flight was brought forward and time had run out but pretty happy with the results
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All in all Ive really enjoyed the process (apart from the waiting) and the bacon, ham are great tasting. Going forward I think next time I need some better bellies as these wernt the best, I have a leg sitting in the freezer for next break and our kids are pretty adamant I'll have to make more :lol: being stuck at work for a month is the hardest part... I only got a small try :(
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urbangriller
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by urbangriller »

Mmmmm Home made bacon!!!
Common Sense is so rare these days it should be a Super Power!
Gumb

Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Gumb »

A very good result from the pics, we'll done Muppet, and thanks for sharing.
gnol
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by gnol »

Looks bloody awesome.
Reminds me that I have not made any belly bacon for a while. Need to get into gear.
Muppet
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Location: Wild West

Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Muppet »

It's the best bacon I have tried 8) Although Ive only ever had the cheap crud from
Supermarkets previously, Thanks again Aussiebbq!
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Nath
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Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Nath »

Great work muppet! Looks great. Don't forget you can use your smokai for the second warm smoke also!


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Nath
Muppet
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Muppet »

Nath wrote:Great work muppet! Looks great. Don't forget you can use your smokai for the second warm smoke also!


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I did try mate but was having trouble holding low heat. I'll need to make a plug to block the air leaking past the Smokai
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Nath
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Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Nath »

Fair enough, you could also try using a heat bead snake. 160-180F would be ideal from memory.


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Nath
Narmnaleg
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Narmnaleg »

That looks great Muppet. YUM!!!
Muppet
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Muppet »

Just finishing up my second run of ham, as it was quite popular with the family. This time used pork legs and fixed the sealing of the smokai, it's kept a steady 200F all day and smells amazing!
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Baby steps...
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Gumb

Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Gumb »

Just wondering how you have got the Smokai to sit there. Is it being held with something above it ?
urbangriller
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Re: Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by urbangriller »

They are the perfect height to sit with the lid handle just resting on the smokai lid. :D
Common Sense is so rare these days it should be a Super Power!
Muppet
Posts: 405
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:50 pm
Location: Wild West

Muppets Characuterie Adventure Ham & Bacon

Post by Muppet »

Mine just pinches between the fire ring and the chip feeder hole, just enough to hold it straight. I did knock it today and it nearly went over but so far so good


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Baby steps...
Current Weaponry - Saffire Kamado, Treager Junior, Outdoorchef 57, Performer 46, 'Fooseball' Grill, Hibachi
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