I would like to learn to make great bacon because it seems my butcher cut me a good deal on bellys and I just can't ever miss a good deal. You know a guy like me I am sure.
So first belly cut up as best I could to square them up. I plan to do both a dry and a wet cure, but after forgetting to size my cuts to fit a gallon Ziploc, this will be the wet cure.
Pretty cleaned and cut sow belly.
Now we proceed with the brine, Of course I used Pop's.
1c Salt
1c brown sugar
1c white sugar
1T pink cure
I added some onion and garlic (not even a teaspoon) to follow my own advice about start minimalistic so you can know what you need to add.
As my good big crockery pot is currently in the service as a table to rest my PC on, I used one of the produce buckets I painstakingly cleaned. Plastic bag on top to ensure cure coverage.
The sow belly slabs seemed to enjoy there new cool pool.
12 days later and they wanted out! Said their little skin was about to pucker. Removed them, rinsed 'em, patted 'em down in the baby colander.
I understand a taste is usually tried at this point. So break out a knife since the slabs were still chilly cold they cut fairly well, but glad I got the butcher doing this for me now.
Into the the dutch oven. I know there is no sound, but let me tell yas those slices are making happy sounds. Makes me smile just hearing 'em.
Boy I really did take the minimalistic approach, they have taste but definitely NOT salty enough. everything else could probably double also. Maybe some "More Spice" ?
The ladies have gotten used to the cold so I stuck 'em back in the fridge to dry off for a couple of days. Probably smoke Monday or Tuesday. I will rub 'em down with some spice to see if it will buck up their mild taste a little. besides they always appreciate a good massage. That's it for now, I closed the door and gave 'em some privacy to dry off.
Got three more bellys in storage at the butchers. Did I mention how much fun this is?
Will update when I start smoking.
::EDIT:: Those few little pieces just looked too good not to cure and smoke, They will most definitely find there way into a bean pot.
So first belly cut up as best I could to square them up. I plan to do both a dry and a wet cure, but after forgetting to size my cuts to fit a gallon Ziploc, this will be the wet cure.
Pretty cleaned and cut sow belly.
Now we proceed with the brine, Of course I used Pop's.
1c Salt
1c brown sugar
1c white sugar
1T pink cure
I added some onion and garlic (not even a teaspoon) to follow my own advice about start minimalistic so you can know what you need to add.
As my good big crockery pot is currently in the service as a table to rest my PC on, I used one of the produce buckets I painstakingly cleaned. Plastic bag on top to ensure cure coverage.
The sow belly slabs seemed to enjoy there new cool pool.
12 days later and they wanted out! Said their little skin was about to pucker. Removed them, rinsed 'em, patted 'em down in the baby colander.
I understand a taste is usually tried at this point. So break out a knife since the slabs were still chilly cold they cut fairly well, but glad I got the butcher doing this for me now.
Into the the dutch oven. I know there is no sound, but let me tell yas those slices are making happy sounds. Makes me smile just hearing 'em.
Boy I really did take the minimalistic approach, they have taste but definitely NOT salty enough. everything else could probably double also. Maybe some "More Spice" ?
The ladies have gotten used to the cold so I stuck 'em back in the fridge to dry off for a couple of days. Probably smoke Monday or Tuesday. I will rub 'em down with some spice to see if it will buck up their mild taste a little. besides they always appreciate a good massage. That's it for now, I closed the door and gave 'em some privacy to dry off.
Got three more bellys in storage at the butchers. Did I mention how much fun this is?
Will update when I start smoking.
::EDIT:: Those few little pieces just looked too good not to cure and smoke, They will most definitely find there way into a bean pot.
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