Elmer Fudd would've been proud. I didn't let Bugs get away. So I decided I want to smoke my recently acquired rabbit. I found a recipe from Smoke & Spice and modified it slightly.
I started off by defrosting in the fridge overnight in a salt water solution with some lemon juice squeezed in.
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/RabbitinBrine.jpg)
For the dry rub mix I'm going with the following:
1/2 Tablespoon of Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 Tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/8 teaspoon Colemans Mustard
For the Wet rub
1/2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 Tablespoon Creole Mustard
Here's all the spices
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/RabbitSpices.jpg)
I started by mixing the wet rub ingredients and slathering it all over the rabbit, inside and out. I then sprinkled the mixed dry ingredients all over, inside and out. I've got it sitting in the fridge now, and it won't be ready to start smoking for another couple of hours. "It's shake and bake, and I helped!" ;D
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/Dryrubbedrabbit.jpg)
Waiting to see the results!
Quote from: KevinG on December 11, 2009, 08:52:31 AM(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/Dryrubbedrabbit.jpg)
If I put something like that in the fridge, everyone in the neighborhood would start checking to see if their cats and small dogs were still home.
Quote from: ronbeaux on December 11, 2009, 09:46:57 AM
Waiting to see the results!
Me to, Me to.
I lkies rabbit, mainly pan fried but have done it with shake and bake also.
Cats taste too much like fish, and dogs I'll leave for the Koreans. :P Nope, couldn't even think of eating either. But it is funny, I had to take some Vietnamese people out to lunch for work one time. They all wanted to go to a Vietnamese restaurant. The menu was not in English, so they had to translate. They told me what to order - "Here just get this". After the meal came they all started laughing. I don't know to this day what it was, but it was very spicy. I suspect some dog variety, but can't be sure. They had to order me some weird type ice cream to quench the heat.
Quote from: OU812 on December 11, 2009, 09:52:36 AM
Quote from: ronbeaux on December 11, 2009, 09:46:57 AM
Waiting to see the results!
Me to, Me to.
I lkies rabbit, mainly pan fried but have done it with shake and bake also.
Got my fingers crossed on this one. Last one I tried on the grill turned into a potato chip. Wasn't bad, just too crunchy. I'm hoping the technique I'm going to try and the smoker will eliminate that.
Just pulled the rabbit out of the fridge, and have him sitting out to warm up a little (about 20 minutes). Started up the Bradley and will let it get up to 200 degrees, also have 6 Jim Beam pucks loaded and waiting.
Let us know how it comes out Kevin. I always try to keep an open mind.
When I was a kid, some of us (including Abe Lincoln) went out hunting tree rats. I won't get graphic on the details. Anyway, we'd dress 'em up and either pan fry or stew 'em. We thought they were pretty good "at the time". However, looking back, ...
Did the same with crawdads Arnie, still love em today!
OK, so here's what I suspect is going to save me from potato chipped rabbit. I've wrapped the rabbit in dampened cheese cloth to help keep the moisture in.
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/WrappedRabbit.jpg)
I loaded the rabbit in the Bradley with a pan full of water, and only opened the vent about 1/2 way.
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/RabbitinBradley.jpg)
Bery Interesting
My only comment at this point is that your Bradley looks "too clean". You have to get more hours on it. ;D
Yeah, after the rabbit, load 2 pork butts in it for a 20 hour smoke. That'll get rid of that 'shiny' look.
Looking forward for the results
HR
I know, I know. I keep getting chicken splatter every time I cook em. Seems every time I want to post images, I've just cleaned up a chicken mess!
Well about 1/2 way through I suspect, IT is at 119, and smoke is billowing. I opened it up to re-moisten the rabbit with some warm water. Word of caution - don't try to put back the fallen Maverick Oven Temp Probe, it's hot!
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/RabbitinSmoke.jpg)
Now I've pulled the cheesecloth off, and turned up the temp to 220. Looking for an internal peak of 145, the current IT is 124.
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/Rabbitunwrapped.jpg)
That rabbit doesn't look 'happy'. Probably figuring "Where'd I go wrong?"
Quote from: ArnieM on December 11, 2009, 12:27:32 PM
Probably figuring "Where'd I go wrong?"
He took a wrong turn at Albuquerque..
Loooookin Goooood
Quote from: squirtthecat on December 11, 2009, 12:36:56 PM
Quote from: ArnieM on December 11, 2009, 12:27:32 PM
Probably figuring "Where'd I go wrong?"
He took a wrong turn at Albuquerque..
I knew I wasn't the only one to remember this show!
IT's at 129, cranked up the heat to 260. Cabinet is only setting at 208. Getting close!
I had seen someone smoke a rabbit (maybe an old post) and they covered it with bacon to keep from drying out.
Are you spritin the netting to keep it moist.
Yea I'm sprinkling water every chance I get without opening too often. Their recipe said to pull the cheesecloth off after 2hrs, but I'm thinking now I should have left it on. Even with me wetting it, it's starting to look a little dry. I don't have any bacon to toss on either. Should be done any minute now anyhow, IT is at 142.
It's done, and unfortunately it's not perfect. The outer layer kind of jerky'd up on me, but the inside meat was excellent. The flavors for the recipe were outstanding. It is a real nice spicy flavor. I think if I ever get a chance to do this again, I'll either leave on the cheesecloth longer, or do what CRG suggested and cover with bacon, but as far as ingredients go, I won't change a thing.
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/63KevinG/Bradley%20Rabbit/DoneRabbit.jpg)
Just a thought and I really can't tell you if this would work but it might.
Might try wetting the cheese cloth down with some kinda oil before wrapping That Wascuwy Wabbit
Still looks good though
I was contemplating the oil thing instead of water, but went with water because of the recipe. That is definitely another good option. Thanks OU, it wasn't any where near as bad as my first attempt on the grill. The meat literally crunched like a potato chip, whereas now it was just a little chewy on the outside. So it looks like I'm making headway, and hopefully next time I'll nail it.
I'm sure the next time it will be almost perfect.
Maybe try a brine?? That seems to help poultry stay nice and juicy..
I did do a brine, soaked it in salt water with some squeezed lemon overnight before doing the wet/dry rub. I suspect that part of the problem might also be that there really isn't that much meat on rabbits (at least the small ones we grow out here).
My bad, didn't read all of the original post.
You did good and I learned a few things. Thanks!