Homemade Bacon - First Try

CincyTiki

I wanted a new project and saw pork belly at Costco for $2.29/lb
Followed the recipe in Eric Mitchell's excellent BGE cookbook, Smoke It Like a Pro
Very easy rub, 6 days in the fridge, then into the Large at 200 until 160 internal with a couple chunks of Apple wood.
Sliced off a few pieces and Wow, the smell and taste were excellent.
I knew my wife was hooked when I got home from work today and she was looking at meat slicers online

If you havent tried this yet, super easy and tasty.
This is the sixth recipe I have made from the Smoke It Like a Pro cookbook and all have been big hits.
if the kids don't eat it all this may go to the Porkopolis Eggfest pre-party Friday night for some Pizza topping.

Rusty412

Looks great, something I've always wanted to try.

CincyTiki

@Rusty412 this is really easy, don't wait to try this 

WeberWho

Awesome! 

GATraveller

That's awesome.  Love me some home cured/egg smoked bacon!!

theyolksonyou

Agree, easy and delicious. Just put a batch in the cure Sunday. 

Also, fun to try new flavors by adding to the cure. You can get real creative. 

CincyTiki

@theyolksonyou any suggestions for cure additions?  This cure is very simple with brown sugar, maple syrup and black pepper.  Very tasty, but always interested to try new ideas.
Thanks

theyolksonyou

There is a more savory recipe on playingwithsmokeandfire.com that has garlic and bay leaves. The one I have in now is maple, but I added fresh ground nutmeg to see have that goes, first try. 

Someone on here was doing four different varieties a few months ago. Had one with jalepeno if memory serves. 

bgebrent

Great savory bacon with garlic and rosemary added to your normal cure.  I used 5 crushed garlic cloves and 2tbs chopped fresh rosemary.  Different and delicious!  Good job on your bacon!

hondabbq

theyolksonyou said:

Someone on here was doing four different varieties a few months ago. Had one with jalepeno if memory serves. 

That was me. I didn't end up doing the Jalapeno one. I had too many ideas I wanted to use and SWMBO just anted some plain smoked.


http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1177975/the-many-flavours-of-bacon#latest

CincyTiki

Thanks Guys
 @hondabbq lots of good ideas in that thread, thanks

BigJonMoo73

I just picked up one of those from Costco this past weekend! Stoked to make some bacon! Look delicious!

CincyTiki

@BigJonMoo73 great payout of flavor versus effort, you will be pleased

blukat

Been making my own bacon for a few years now, I use Ruhlman's maple recipe.   Once you start it, you won't go back to store bought... unless it's Benton's bacon.

AlbertaEgger

Looks great! Enjoy! I have done a few bellies now. I have 2 friends that want to do some as well so we will be doing 3 in the next few weeks. 

dougcrann

Morton Tenderquick & brown sugar. Flip and massage daily for 14 days. Get a AMNPS from amazenproducts. Put it under the fire grate. Smoke the belly for 8 hours, put it back in the fridge. Repeat the next day...and the next....and the next....best bacon I ever had... 

CincyTiki

@albertaEgger I had intended to vacuum seal some of mine for later consumption, but my sons are home from college for the summer and it is not looking like I will get that chance ;-)  need to get the next belly started. :-)