BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Smoking Techniques => Curing => Topic started by: squirtthecat on February 25, 2011, 07:25:28 PM

Title: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 25, 2011, 07:25:28 PM

Equal parts MTQ and Sugar (well, a Sugar substitute).  Rubbed on 2 one pound pork shoulder 'steaks', separated w/ a bit of parchment paper, and into the fridge for the night.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWhwz7-nz-I/AAAAAAABUwQ/AIJm2mgNp7I/s800/20110225210423.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWhw1xeutoI/AAAAAAABUwY/COaMP1lvylk/s800/20110225210459.jpg)


Stay tuned...   :D
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: Gizmo on February 25, 2011, 08:29:44 PM
Looking forward to the "stay tuned"
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: SouthernSmoked on February 26, 2011, 05:52:12 AM
Looking very good!

To Be Continued!
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: Tenpoint5 on February 26, 2011, 06:35:44 AM
Looks interesting so far!!
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 07:10:02 AM

The next morning...    Nothing like a little TenderQuick with your coffee!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWkV3MPuQOI/AAAAAAABUw8/0G3Aa7xdQbE/s800/IMGP2198.JPG)

Time for the rub.   I combined 2 recipes from Nepas and Stickbowcrafter (his is from Charcuterie).

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWkV6df4tzI/AAAAAAABUxE/dVmVIcbSKrs/s800/IMGP2202.JPG)

Roughly equal parts of the white/black peppers, marjoram and allspice.  Then 1/2 parts of the garlic powder, hot paprika, and Soileau's for good measure.   And then just a few heavy shakes of cayenne.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWkV_FgjLXI/AAAAAAABUxM/VJyEUYinpac/s800/IMGP2205.JPG)

Rub a dub dub.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWkWCg1UNoI/AAAAAAABUxY/Brhw9NSc5-Y/s800/IMGP2208.JPG)


And into the MAK on 'smoke'.   Going for an IT of 150°.

We'll check back later..
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: KyNola on February 26, 2011, 08:34:20 AM
The boy goes to New Orleans for a long weekend and returns home a coonass! :D  Looking good Pat.  That tasso is going to be some kind of good!

You gonna tell 'em about that book you ordered this week?  ;)

I'm telling ya he came back transformed!
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 09:11:48 AM

And, we're done..

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWkz6xnLxAI/AAAAAAABUyM/xhnnXR5dpyQ/s800/IMGP2225.JPG)

Foiled and resting in a cooler for a bit.   
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: Ka Honu on February 26, 2011, 09:21:35 AM
Never cured my Tasso before - does it make an appreciable difference?
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: Tenpoint5 on February 26, 2011, 09:22:22 AM
Looks good
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 09:28:10 AM
Quote from: Ka Honu on February 26, 2011, 09:21:35 AM
Never cured my Tasso before - does it make an appreciable difference?

I think it gives it that 'hammy' element..   This is the first time I've tried it.

The original recipes called for a 4 hour cure, but I let it go overnight to really 'ham' it up.    I did give it a soak this morning while I was mixing up the rub, so we'll see how salty it ends up.

Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 09:32:29 AM
Quote from: KyNola on February 26, 2011, 08:34:20 AM
The boy goes to New Orleans for a long weekend and returns home a coonass! :D 

That's what I was going to call it...   Coon@ss Buckboard Bacon.

Maybe I'll try it with a loin next time, but cure for a week.   Canadian Coon@ss Bacon!

Quote from: KyNola on February 26, 2011, 08:34:20 AM
You gonna tell 'em about that book you ordered this week?  ;)


I saw this book down in New Orleans, but it was $$ and most likely would have put my luggage over the weight limit.

(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9950000/9958448.jpg)

I found it for $40 from B&N.com w/ free shipping.  ;)
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: OU812 on February 26, 2011, 10:06:59 AM
Looks and sounds good.

I've been meanin to try my hand at makin some of that Tasso but I thought you had to dry age it.
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: Ka Honu on February 26, 2011, 10:53:03 AM
The Folse book has been on my list for a while - maybe SWMBO will get it for my birthday.
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 12:42:10 PM

WOW does this stuff have a punch.    Found it's way into a few scratches on my finger I didn't know about either.    :o :o

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWlkC8_PL6I/AAAAAAABU0E/C3Mj8MxJh-E/s800/IMGP2234.JPG)

I saved the fat trimmings and the bone in a separate container.  I have a little project for them tonight.

Stay tuned...    :D
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: Ka Honu on February 26, 2011, 12:52:36 PM
Don't often see anyone scarf down a plate of tasso by itself.  Guess that's what being a "born again coonass" is all about.
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 01:03:32 PM

I had a few nibbles off of the cutting board and that was plenty.  I can see why it is for flavoring other dishes.   That pile is sealed up in the fridge for now.

Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: KyNola on February 26, 2011, 01:53:09 PM
Oh My!  Great looking tasso Pat.  Just awesome.  That will kick up your next pot of beans with some smoke and heat.
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: classicrockgriller on February 26, 2011, 01:58:52 PM
"Born again Coonass" ;D

Now that is funny!

Looks nice Pat!
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: SouthernSmoked on February 26, 2011, 04:22:27 PM
Quote from: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 12:42:10 PM

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWlkC8_PL6I/AAAAAAABU0E/C3Mj8MxJh-E/s800/IMGP2234.JPG)


Dang Pat, that really turned out nice!

OK it's night time - what do you have going?
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 05:00:11 PM

Now to put it to use...

Tasso Debris Black Beans & Rice.


1.5 cups dry black beans, soaked for 2 hours.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWmPHvi62wI/AAAAAAABU00/h27SIYCDhqg/s800/IMGP2243.JPG)


Fire up the pressure cooker, and dump the bone and some of the trimmed Tasso fat chunks in the bottom.  Let them render down a bit.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWmPLRHrGLI/AAAAAAABU1E/Kso84Td-aUU/s800/IMGP2247.JPG)


Add a cup of low sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, a bit more cumin, thyme, garlic/onion powder, and the beans.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWmPPOs5XTI/AAAAAAABU1Q/Z_b_4qbE5XI/s800/IMGP2249.JPG)


12 minutes under pressure.   Added another 3 or 4.     The final result was a bit soupy, but had plenty of flavor.   I fished out the bone and fat chunks hunks, and tossed in a three/four tablespoons of the Tasso.

Served w/ brown rice and a glop of salsa.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_CbvAIVzmFFM/TWmf-C6lUQI/AAAAAAABU1w/J1XUR5aL8bk/s800/20110226182018.jpg)


Not bad..    I'll change up a few things next time.   Beans are hard to get right in the pressure cooker, as you can't see what is going on for about 30 minutes at a time.   The salsa was a bit of distraction - what we had in NOLA was more like a spicy corn relish that you mixed in.

Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: OU812 on February 26, 2011, 06:34:22 PM
Maybe replace the salsa with hot sauce.

Thats the first thing that I thought.

Just throwin this out there.
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: squirtthecat on February 26, 2011, 07:09:56 PM
Quote from: OU812 on February 26, 2011, 06:34:22 PM
Maybe replace the salsa with hot sauce.

Thats the first thing that I thought.

Just throwin this out there.

I'm with ya, buddy!

We eat our mistakes and try again.
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: Smokin Soon on February 26, 2011, 08:12:18 PM
Had issues with black beans myself until I found a brand in a can "Cuban Black Beans". I'll get a pic next time I get some. Perfect for Cajun-Rice-Tasso stuff.
Title: Re: Tasso 'Ham'
Post by: hal4uk on February 26, 2011, 08:45:34 PM
Dahh Coonaaa cookin now, ahhh huhh!!!