Let's Talk BBQ

Cured Meats & Food Preservation => Cured meats & Food Preservation => Charcuterie: Ham, Bacon, Sausage, etc. => Topic started by: GusRobin on May 25, 2017, 01:09:36 AM

Title: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: GusRobin on May 25, 2017, 01:09:36 AM: Or soon to be bacon. Went to Costco and bought a ~8 lb pork belly. Cut about 3 lbs to save to sous vide and going to make applewood smoked cider mill bacon with the rest.

(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2299_1.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2299_1.jpg.html)

I have made bacon before but this is the first time I bought a belly from Costco. I couldn't believe what a good cut I got.

(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2302_2.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2302_2.jpg.html)

(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2300_1.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2300_1.jpg.html)

Made the brine, injected, and put the belly in a container. Used a lid from a pot and a dish to hold it down.

(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2304_2.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2304_2.jpg.html)

Stay tuned- back in 3-5 days when it goes on the RecTec
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: tomcrete1 on May 25, 2017, 09:09:47 AM: Can't wait to see the results Gus!
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: Tailgating is my game on May 25, 2017, 09:34:38 AM: I would love to be able to do that.. Can't wait to see Gus
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: teesquare on May 25, 2017, 09:53:47 AM: WOW - Gus!
That is the leanest pork belly I have seen!. Still enough fat...but - it will not fry away to nothing when you cook it. What recipe are you using for your brine?

Cliff (Tenthunter) was here last week - and brought some bacon he made using a modified Cider Mill recipe. It had no additional sugar - other than what was in the cider. And it was great...Honestly - I don't know that anyone would be able to tell the difference....

Keep us posted - that is going to be a special batch of bacon!
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: Big Dawg on May 25, 2017, 02:58:00 PM: D@mn that's a good lookin' belly ! ! !

Can't wait to follow your progress.

BD
Title: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: Pappymn on May 25, 2017, 04:21:49 PM: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170525/b02141ef5e14e3c1ea4a9ba92b2d4570.jpg)
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: TentHunteR on May 25, 2017, 05:44:15 PM: Watching...
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: RAD on May 26, 2017, 03:57:28 PM: it's going to be good
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: TMB on May 26, 2017, 04:40:08 PM: Save me some Gus! ;)
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: HighOnSmoke on May 26, 2017, 05:45:52 PM: Watching this one!
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: Smokerjunky on May 30, 2017, 03:29:51 PM: I can hardly wait to see how this plays out. That is a crazy-lean pork belly - you picked the right cryo-pack
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon (it's Done)
Post by: GusRobin on June 04, 2017, 02:01:52 AM: Finished the curing and rinsed the belly.

(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2369.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2369.jpg.html)

Into the RecTec

(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2373.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2373.jpg.html)

All done
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2377.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2377.jpg.html)

Had to fry up and taste a sample. So I sliced off a few pieces. They were delicious.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2378.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2378.jpg.html)
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2379.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2379.jpg.html)

All sliced and then vacuum bagged. The reflection of the lights make it look like it has a lot of fat, but this was a very lean belly. Almost looks like ham slices.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2382.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2382.jpg.html)
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_2387.jpg) (http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/gusrobin/media/IMG_2387.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: cgriller64 on June 04, 2017, 05:22:53 AM: Outstanding :thumbup:
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: Tailgating is my game on June 04, 2017, 03:52:44 PM: Did I send you my address???? ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon
Post by: Smokerjunky on June 05, 2017, 11:29:52 AM: EXCELLENT looking bacon. Love how lean it is. Nice job - makes me want to get that pork belly out of the freezer and get crackin on it.