Here awhile back I found a new source for bellies and other gastronomical delicacies. When I thawed out my bellies they were all freezer burnt. I was slightly miffed (being polite here). Beside they were the worst bellies I ever saw. A friend here talked me out of just chopping 'em up for cracklins (and I wasn't even that sure about that).
Since my cured smoked hocks were depleted also, I thought a nice happy curing bucket might be nice.
I made two gallons of Pop's brine, thought I would need help to get the bucket up on the old plastic shelf in the beer fridge, but I did and it didn't break the plastic. They just don't make good plastic like that any more. LOL
Honestly I should not admitt it, I have not been ton the beer reefer in a long time, and I just forgot they were in there. Been out there submerged for 19 days now. I tasted the brine (I always do) and it was soooo mellow. I am guessing maybe so much pork, it had reached equalization?
I took it out, rinsed the meat, and spread it out in the project reefer.
Will continue the story tomorrow maybe. If I allow it to dehydrate for 2 days in the reefer it should require less of a dewater cycle.
BTW as to the freezer burnt belly. It appears that the curing cycle makes that a mote point. Maybe it will rear its ugly head again after smoking? I hope not, got another belly in the freezer from the same source.
Chuckles, the neighbors Mother came by to what I was smoking for supper, Tenderloin. Guess I can show yas.
We got to talking about food prices. She's like me and likes all the less traveled trails. We talked about oxtails, hocks, bellies, gizzards, chicken feet, etc etc etc...... She finially laughed and said since delux tripe and ribeyes cost about the same her family was eatting better than ever before. They can't understand all the steak and ribs but no gumbo's or jambalayas.
I thought it hilarious, true but funny.
OK, be back tomorrow. I did not post any on the tenderloins, I have done them too many times for them to be interesting, but if you have a question or want step by step, I really don't mind helping.
Demain
Since my cured smoked hocks were depleted also, I thought a nice happy curing bucket might be nice.
I made two gallons of Pop's brine, thought I would need help to get the bucket up on the old plastic shelf in the beer fridge, but I did and it didn't break the plastic. They just don't make good plastic like that any more. LOL
Honestly I should not admitt it, I have not been ton the beer reefer in a long time, and I just forgot they were in there. Been out there submerged for 19 days now. I tasted the brine (I always do) and it was soooo mellow. I am guessing maybe so much pork, it had reached equalization?
I took it out, rinsed the meat, and spread it out in the project reefer.
Will continue the story tomorrow maybe. If I allow it to dehydrate for 2 days in the reefer it should require less of a dewater cycle.
BTW as to the freezer burnt belly. It appears that the curing cycle makes that a mote point. Maybe it will rear its ugly head again after smoking? I hope not, got another belly in the freezer from the same source.
Chuckles, the neighbors Mother came by to what I was smoking for supper, Tenderloin. Guess I can show yas.
We got to talking about food prices. She's like me and likes all the less traveled trails. We talked about oxtails, hocks, bellies, gizzards, chicken feet, etc etc etc...... She finially laughed and said since delux tripe and ribeyes cost about the same her family was eatting better than ever before. They can't understand all the steak and ribs but no gumbo's or jambalayas.
I thought it hilarious, true but funny.
OK, be back tomorrow. I did not post any on the tenderloins, I have done them too many times for them to be interesting, but if you have a question or want step by step, I really don't mind helping.
Demain