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Project Smoke
#12575403
01/12/18 04:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
I do a lot of curing and smoking of a variety of meats like bacon, hams, and fish. I thought I would share my exact brine and recipe so you can try it yourself. This works well with heavier grain fish like Striper but we will be using catfish for this project. THE BRINE: 3 quarts of water 1/2 cup kosher salt or sea salt 3/4 cup brown sugar 4 finely crushed Bay leaves 2 tablespoons basil 1 tablespoon dill Combine ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer 10 minutes. Pour the brine into a non-metallic bowl. Let cool. After the brine is room temperature we will add fish. Your fish pieces should be equal in thickness for best results. The time it takes for the brine to penetrate will vary based on thickness. We check and stir in one hour.(Continued)
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575466
01/12/18 05:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
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Pro Angler
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
Ok, fast forward one hour. This picture is to show the importance of using same thickness cuts. As the brine penetrates the fillet it will become translucent. The lower part of this fillet is fully penetrated while the upper(thicker) needs a little more time. This piece is exactly what I want it to look like when it's ready to remove from brine. This piece is bluecat and was soaked 2 hours. Channel cats have a denser grain and will take a bit more time to penetrate same thickness fillets. Once the fillets have the look of the last photo you will remove and lightly rinse the brine off fillets with cold water. I then pat dry the fillets with paper towels and lay out to dry. This drying time is called equilibrium time. It allows the brine in the meat to fully and equally distribute itself throughout the fillet. We will allow 6 hours in the refrigerator on a towell-open air. Next step, The Smoker. Continued
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575569
01/12/18 06:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
SMOKER'S: there are two delineations of smokers, hot and cold smokers. The delineations say it all! For this project we will be cold smoking. Cold smoking uses smoke and no heat. It allows more time for smoke flavor to penetrate the meat but will not cook it. I generally smoke fillets 3-4 hours with no heat. We will cook the final product for about 7 minutes at 350. You may choose to hot smoke on your BBQ pit. It will greatly reduce time but sacrifices much flavor. Smokers can be made of anything. I started with an old refrigerator and used it for years. I now use an old bread rack from a commercial kitchen for these smaller projects. Here's yesterday's jerky for Gato sitting next to today's fish. I'll be back to talk smoker wood in a bit. It's a very important subject if cold smoking. Continued
Last edited by Littlefeather; 01/12/18 06:33 PM.
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575603
01/12/18 06:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 199
oakpointaggie
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 199 |
Looks excellent! So your saying El Gato will take you fishing for beef jerky??
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575605
01/12/18 06:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 199
oakpointaggie
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 199 |
I think I can come up some... haha
Great post though
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575771
01/12/18 08:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
Gato makes me bring the beer and throw the net! Jerkey just smooths the edges! Ok, we are off and smoking! Wood selection for cold smoking is very important! Hardwoods are generally the only wood used to cook but I choose a white wood for smoking fish and white meat. I almost exclusively use pecan which is second cousin to Hickory. I do not use the wood itself but instead go looking for the rotted pulp wood of former pecan logs. This pulp is super light like balsa when you find the right stuff. You can light the end of a piece and it will smolder but will not light. This equates to smoke but no heat! Here's a picture. I lightly baste my brined fish fillets with olive oil and introduce to the smoke house. When smoking, it is important to remember that a light smoke over a long period is much better than rolling heavy smoke for a short period. Heavy smoke will impart a sooty crusty smoke that will be bitter. Take your time and lightly kiss the meat with light smoke for several hours so that it has time to penetrate. Continued
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575838
01/12/18 09:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 898
Ed-n-eddy
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 898 |
punk wood, who'd have thunk it?
1987 Whaler Super Sport 17, Yamaha 90 1981 Whaler Sport 13, Johnson 50
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575936
01/12/18 11:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 143
Poppa P
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 143 |
This is awesome I'm setting here at work with a little drool running down my chin
Dean
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575944
01/12/18 11:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
3 1/2 hours of cold smoke ought to do it for these thin cuts. Now to pat dry any moist spots then get ready for some quick heat. Perfectly cured!
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12575981
01/13/18 12:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
ðŸ€El Gato AzulðŸ€
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
Littlefeather the Comanche Smoke Shaman!.. here is a picture of Littlefeather after cold smokin all afternoon!
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12576008
01/13/18 12:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
I pre heated the oven to 350 then I put fillets in on a cookie sheet and inserted for 7-10 minutes. Here's the final result! My wife just said she'd throw out lobster to make room for more brined and smoked catfish! The nice thing about fish this way is that you can crush up leftover fillets and mix with cream cheese! Serve with crackers on the next fishing trip. Thanks for tagging along with me on this thread! Good luck on your next fishing trip! Try this brine recipe with or without the smoke. You won't be disappointed! Curtis
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12576050
01/13/18 12:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 143
Poppa P
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 143 |
Will do, it looks beautiful Man.
Dean
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12576124
01/13/18 01:52 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,712
Txmedic033
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,712 |
Want to fish tomorrow?
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Re: Project Smoke
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12576160
01/13/18 02:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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