First attempt at Snack Sticks

[thebigman65]

So I have been researching for good recipes and although most of them sound good I wasnt sure I wanted to try any of them....so I chickened out and used the LEM snack stick package and added some hot pepper and cayenne.

I used 80/20 beef and mixed all of it with 1 cup of ice water. Once mixed I stuffed them into 19mm collagen casings.

I set the MES to 110 degrees and dryed them out for 2 hours.....then I raised the temps slowly over time and smoked approx 2 hours with cherry wood....finished them off at 175 until they came to about 156 IT.....iced bathed them and now they are sitting on a rack to dry. Here's some pics:

 

[thebigman65]

I will let you all know how they are when I try them tomorrow!

 

[dward51]

Good looking batch of sticks!!! Welcome to the addiction (stick making that is). Probably a good idea to bump the flavor on the LEM stock mix as it's fairly mild IMO. Let us know how they taste.

 

[bdskelly]

Perfection in an portable easy to eat package. Awesome post! B like!

 

[SonnyE]

The force is strong with this one.
I love these snack sticks. One day I will succumb to the pull and start making my own.

 

[SmokinAl]

Great looking sticks!
Nicely done!
Al

 

[thebigman65]

Thanks a lot guys!....I like them a little dry so these turned out great. I do need to up the heat though....they are not that hot but do have a nice finish.