I had to check in to say "Happy Holiday Season" to you and yours!
I've been crazy busy with one catering job after the other. I don't mind being busy because it keeps my mind occupied. Holidays are still really hard to get thru without my Jerry. It is hard to believe he has been gone almost three years now.
Today was a R & R day and a real good day to make some sausage. I have been a crazy cold smoking cheese woman......YES I love cold smoking cheese! I decided I needed something to go along with all that delicious smoked cheese so today, I made a batch of smoked salami sausage. Sorry I didn't take step-by-step pics this time. Please don't kick me out of the "smokers club" because I was on a mission of relaxation today. So ease up on ole' Josie LOL.
I used a Salami Sausage seasoning mix from LEM. Here's what I did;
- I mixed the entire seasoning packet and cure into 5 oz. of cold water
- I added the mix to 5 lbs. of ground pork ( YES, I ground up my own pork).
- Mix everything unit it was well incorporated. I covered the bowl and put it into the fridge overnight.
-The next day, I stuffed the salami into non-edible fibrous casings. I used 6 casings (the last one was only partly filled.)
-I cooked a little sample and it was delish!
-I smoked my salami low and slow in my new little electric smoker until it reached an IT of 165. BTW, I love my new little electric smoker!
- I let the salami cool then I put each roll into a separate vacuum sealed bag. Everything went into the fridge. There it will await the arrival of my kids and grandbabies. I'm sure my salami will be devoured immediately.
Here's a few pics.......
my sample and it was delish!
my salami at the beginning of the cook
Half way thru the cook - checkout that beautiful color change
the finished smoked salami - my new favorite. Can't wait to try a slice of salami on a buttery cracker with a slice of my smoked cheese..........Oh Lord help me not to eat an entire roll all by myself tee-hee! Thanks for looking.......
Don't forget to hug your kids, hug your wife, hug your husband, hug your partners, hug your grandbabies and don't forget to hug your fury friends. Warm Blessings to you all this Holiday Season.
Your smoking friend from Vegas ~ Josie aka SmokinVegasBaby
