Texas Hot link ( Carolina Reaper )

[chopsaw]

Had the thread on the brown n serve breakfast sausage experiment a week or so ago . I made some other things at the same time .
I used the Texas Hot link recipe from Marianski . It's a fresh sausage , but I wanted smoked . So I added some NFDM and the right amount of cure one . I also added 1/4 tsp of Carolina reaper powder I got from tropics to the 2 1/2 pound batch . Richie , that powder is awesome when used in the right amounts . Good heat and flavor . Don't take much . I made rings instead of links . Stuffed and held in the fridge overnight .
Next day I hung at room temp ( 65 ) 'til they warmed up some . Then into the MES 30 at 120 for a couple hours to dry , then started some smoke . I used oak as a " base " with cherry and mesquite mixed in . 12 " tube in the mailbox . I stopped doing the 10 degree bump on smoked sausage . Outside was getting tough because to much time in the smoker .
So I ran it at 130 'til I got the color I wanted . Then stepped to 145 for 15 minutes , then to 165 to get it cooked .
Worked great . Good snap from the casing but not tough . Texture was perfect as well as the heat . That's a good recipe . I did grill some fresh , and they're great too .

Couple pics ,
The rings on the tray are the Reaper sausage . The links are AC Leggs bratwurst . The single link is the change over from stuffing both .

Close up of the rings ,

Out of the smoker , and fast cool down with ice and water .

Couple cut shots .

Really happy with this . Great recipe plus the added heat / flavor from the reaper powder .
Thanks for lookin.

 

[gmc2003]

I bet those are tasty chop. Nice Job

Point for sure
Chris

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Man that sounds and look good. If I retire will get some time to try making sausages.

 

[jcam222]

Man those look fantastic! I’m sure I’d love those.

 

[thirdeye]

Nice color..., grind and bind too! I like rings too when smoking, they have that old school smokehouse look. Ever done a water bath finish? I started doing that to my hot dogs and I never overshoot my target temp.

 

[sawhorseray]

Got some great color on that sausage Rich, nice piece of work! RAY

 

[pa42phigh]

Nice looking sausage

 

[chopsaw]

I bet those are tasty chop. Nice Job

Thanks Chris . They're great . Just have to watch the heat . Little bit goes a long way with that reaper powder .

Man that sounds and look good. If I retire will get some time to try making sausages.

Thanks ! The retirement really does help with doing this stuff .

 

[chopsaw]

Man those look fantastic! I’m sure I’d love those.

Thanks for the comment . I should have slipped one in the box !

Nice color..., grind and bind too!

Thank you .

Ever done a water bath finish? I started doing that to my hot dogs and I never overshoot my target temp.

I never over shoot sausage temps in the smoker . I do finish in the SV sometimes . Just depends on what it is .

 

[thirdeye]

Thanks for the comment . I should have slipped one in the box !

Thank you .

I never over shoot sausage temps in the smoker . I do finish in the SV sometimes . Just depends on what it is .
View attachment 471840

Yes, SV is what I meant by water bath. I finish off cold smoked chicken breasts in the SV too.

 

[chopsaw]

Got some great color on that sausage Rich, nice piece of work!

Thanks Ray . I've been working on getting that foamheart color .
Might be getting close .

Nice looking sausage

Thanks for the comments .

 

[SmokinAl]

WOW Chop, those look fantastic!
We love heat & I bet they would be right in our wheelhouse!
Al

 

[Bearcarver]

Sorry I'm late, but Dang those Looks Great!!!
Nice Job, Rich!!
Like.

Bear

 

[chopsaw]

WOW Chop, those look fantastic!
We love heat & I bet they would be right in our wheelhouse!

Thanks for the comments Al . I have to say they're perfect . Richie did a great job with that reaper powder . Just don'y use to much .

Sorry I'm late, but Dang those Looks Great!!!
Nice Job, Rich!!

Thanks John . They're great on a bun with some yellow mustard .