The Neck Heart - Great Smoked Venison

[smoking b]

Today I decided to smoke a neck heart to eat 

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

I started with this neck heart.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Gave it a basic SPOG treatment making sure to get some inside the heart.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Then into the MES it went at 225. AMNPS running hickory & maple

I need to figure out what else to make with these 

   I haven't had a neck heart for a while - I'm looking forward to it 

 

 

[smoking b]

Well I decided to go with some lemon pepper chicken so far...

I started with a couple boneless chicken breasts 

  & mixed up some lemon pepper rub I like to make.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Here is the lemon pepper rub I made.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

I also crushed a few cloves of garlic & got some lemon juice ready.

I drizzle the breasts with lemon juice, rub them with the garlic & then apply the lemon pepper rub.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Here they are after getting the rub.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

I then put them in a container & drizzle some more lemon juice on them gently & put them in the fridge for a couple hours till I'm ready to grill them.

I still need to figure out what else to make... I'm leaning toward steamed broccoli & something else maybe??

Updates to follow...

 

[pc farmer]

What animal did the neck and heart come from??  Venison?

 

[smoking b]

 
What animal did the neck and heart come from??  Venison?

Yup - they came from one of the deer I got.  I like them as a combo 

 

[smoking b]

Ok the heart is done 

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

It is foiled till the rest of the things are ready. I need to fire up some Stubbs & get the grill going for the lemon pepper chicken. Since I'll have it going, I'm gonna do some taters on it with the chicken while the broccoli steams...

Updates to follow...

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Looking good B. We haven't been lucky enough to get a combo like that the last two years now... Maybe next season.

Are we gonna get to see the sliced photos???

Mmmmm making me drool in my beer!

 

[smoking b]

Looking good B. We haven't been lucky enough to get a combo like that the last two years now... Maybe next season.

Are we gonna get to see the sliced photos???

Mmmmm making me drool in my beer!

Thanks Case 

  Yeah I'll definitely share the photos when it's all done 

  It's smelling great now! 

 

[smoking b]

Ok more progress...

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Neck is done & resting.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Taters ready for the grill.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

As usual I improved some with crushed red habanero & seeds 

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Lemon pepper chicken on the grill too - I added a piece with some sauce just for something to do...

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Broccoli steaming away...

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Man that neck looks like a tri tip!!! Gonna be tasty!!!!

 

[smoking b]

And time to eat! 

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Slicing the heart.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Closer view. 

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Moist & tender.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

I only wish these were bigger.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Cutting into the neck.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

It is very tender & juicy as well. 

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Better view of the juicy goodness.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

My first plate - neck heart combo.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

My second plate - lemon pepper chicken, broccoli & taters.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

Both my plates ready for action - time to go eat! 

 

[woodcutter]

You have that neck looking like Prime Rib.

 

[pc farmer]

Man they look great. Maybe I shouldn't pitch the heart and make burger out of the neck.

 

[smoking b]

Man that neck looks like a tri tip!!! Gonna be tasty!!!!

It was very tasty Case!  I am absolutely stuffed! 

 

[smoking b]

 
You have that neck looking like Prime Rib.

Thanks Todd! 

   Nobody around my little neck of the woods appreciates how good a neck can be if you go about it right - until you let them taste it that is! 

  I've converted a lot of the locals here

 

 

[smoking b]

Man they look great. Maybe I shouldn't pitch the heart and make burger out of the neck.

Thanks man! Yeah I would give them a try - I bet you don't regret it! 

 

[pc farmer]

How do you cut up the neck?

 

[smoking b]

Most of the meat will slice off with a good sharp knife. After that a fork will help you get the rest pretty easy. Let me know if you try any - if you do, I doubt you'll make burger with any more of them...

 

[pc farmer]

I always hated trying to debone them. Did you measure the temp of the neck?

 

[smoking b]

I always hated trying to debone them. Did you measure the temp of the neck?

Yeah they can be a pain for sure - not a problem when you smoke them. I did monitor the temp.

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

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• smoking b
• Mar 10, 2014

You can see the hole from my probe in these 2 pics - just be careful to stay away from the bone...

 

[pc farmer]

What temp did you take them too.