I cooked stuff, it was good

SGH said:

You have out done yourself brother Tar. This easily earns the double seal my friend. Fantastic job!!

Thanks @SGH !


DoubleEgger said: Yeah buddy!  Thanks Michael! 


blind99 said: Oh yes please!  I disagree on the potatoes - I think a little char ups the flavor!  Those burgers also look great: pressed and charred. 

How did you like the bacon? Well, the bad ones didn't make the photo  

The bacon was very good and meaty.  Reminds me of hog jowl a little.  A little salty on the swallow, but not on the front end.  I will do it again for sure.  

blind99 said:

If I over salt the bacon on the cure I par cook the strips in a half inch of water then drain the water after ten minutes. All the extra saltiness is gone. 

Next batch i  may add a cold water soak after the cure for a few hours and remove a bit more of the salt. 

I washed the belly then soaked for roughly 2 hrs.  Should have went longer.  I know one thing, I hate slicing and packing!  I'll have a slicer for the next batch. 

Dang it!  Google photos is messing with me again.  

Re-post: 

Been a while since I cooked something other than a quick steak or something.  Had many to-dos on the agenda today and marked all of them off.  

Was at Costco last weekend and noticed pork bell fairly cheap, so I decided to give my whirl with bacon.  Just did pink salt, brown sugar, and salt for the cure.  

Probably needed to soak them more, but overall, very tasty.  

1 - Out of cure, test slice for saltiness.  


2 -  Ready for smoke.  Used hickory and apple.  




3 - After smoke. 







Next up was a sweet potato salad.  Inspiration was from Emeril HERE.  Wished I had the cilantro and the cotina cheese.  I used parm.  I think the cotina would have worked better here, though still good.  I made a vinaigrette of lime and EVOO to drizzle.  

Steps here: 

1 - Cut into 1/2" slices. 







2 - Drizzle with canola and salt and pepper.  



3 -  Grill - I got side tracked.  Guy came by that will be starting on my old truck.  Had to get the door and came outside and the potatoes got a little too done.  



4 - Added some red pepper too.  Placed in a 350° oven till done.  



5 - Made dressing - 1.5 limes, EVOO, salt, pepper, honey



6 - Built and dressed.  




Last but not least, burgers on the Blackstone!  


1 - Cubed ground chuck with added fat.  




2 - Saute bacon, onion, and garlic.  









3 - Add to cubed meat along with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. 




4 - After about 8 hours, grind and pat out. 








5 - Cooked the next day.  











Thanks for taking a look!  

Ladeback69 said:

Man @tarheelmatt, that is some AWESOME looking food.  I will have to try the sweet potatoes, we love new ways to cook them.  Two thumbs up.

Thanks!  They were really good, but I was missing the cilantro and the cotina cheese.  Would have been good for sure.