BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Smoking Techniques => Sausage Making => Topic started by: Kevin A on August 19, 2011, 06:42:58 PM

Title: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Kevin A on August 19, 2011, 06:42:58 PM
My mother-in-law is celebrating her 80th birthday and so a party in her honor is being thrown this weekend. One of the requests I received was to bring enough kielbasa for 20...—the unfortunate part was I didnt get this request until a few days ago. I figured 10 pounds of the stuff should be plenty.
So between work & other commitments, I gotta crank out some kee-bazzy. Due to time constraints I wound up taking fewer photos than usual of the process.

Got 10+ pounds of pork shoulder & prepped about half of it in the manner I did in a previous thread where I cut up small lean pieces & cured them overnight before grinding & mixing the balance. I used pretty much the same recipe I used last time, but added a bit more salt and garlic.
My previous kielbasa thread:
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=22606.0 (http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=22606.0)

I used larger casings this time (32mm last time) and went with the 38-42mm size.
Meats with spices & rest of the cure mixed & stuffed. You can see the cubes of the 'cured' pork within the sausages:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/10lbs_juststuffed.jpg)

Decided to do a couple of hours of heavy smoke. I used apple wood this time instead of hickory.
I hung the kielbasa @115-120° for an hour to dry before applying the smoke.
Smoke just starting & the sun is starting to set...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/kiel_justsmokin.jpg)

I bumped up the temp to 130-140° over the next two hours with good smoke.
They look ready to pull...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/2hrs_smoke.jpg)

NIGHT POACHER:
plunked the load into my roaster full of 175° water. held the temp at around 165-170°
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/night_poach.jpg)

Time for a break & some liquid refreshment while waiting for the kielbasa's IT to hit the magic mark...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/night_poach_wait.jpg)

After ONLY about 25-30 minutes, IT hit 157° so I pulled the kielbasa, plunged them into an ice bath & hung 'em up to bloom for 90 minutes or so:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/Meat_bloom.jpg)

FINALLY: Ten pounds of smoked kielbasa ready for the weekend!
Of course we had to sample some beforehand.

—Kevin
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/kielbasa_sliced-1.jpg)






Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Sailor on August 19, 2011, 06:47:28 PM
I think you are gonna make Momma proud!  Nice job on them there sausages!
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: viper125 on August 19, 2011, 07:39:04 PM
Looks great! Just wonder whats with the chunks of pork. Does this change texture or taste.
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Kevin A on August 19, 2011, 08:03:27 PM
Quote from: viper125 on August 19, 2011, 07:39:04 PM
Looks great! Just wonder whats with the chunks of pork. Does this change texture or taste.
It's the way my wife's family grew up (Poland) making it. Called Krakowska Sausage (Kielbasa krakowska krajana)
It really doesnt impact the texture much—maybe a 'bit' firmer—but overall the eater doesnt detect a difference. To my taste, it resembles something akin to a 'soft' ham that blends in really well with the mix. I actually like it.  :)
Title: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: SamuelG on August 19, 2011, 08:09:02 PM
Great post!

Been going to garage sales here  and no roasters... Wonder why...??? Ahhhh  you can't fit a pig in it!  Hehehe


SamuelG

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Keymaster on August 19, 2011, 08:12:55 PM
Very, very nice job Kevin!!!!
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: pikeman_95 on August 20, 2011, 12:52:57 PM
Kevin

You are a machine. I love the look of your sausage. Did the flavor work our for you. Your cut shots look very professional. I am still looking for a roaster. It would be easier for small batches. When we do larger batches the large tank is great but it is too much work for a small batch. I have been working on an outside sausage making area. I plumbed the hot and could water to the outside wall. For clean up I can just let the water fly.

Kirby
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: pensrock on August 20, 2011, 02:13:01 PM
Nice job. Hope 10 pounds is going to be enough.  :)
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Kevin A on August 21, 2011, 12:24:33 AM
Quote from: pikeman_95 on August 20, 2011, 12:52:57 PM
Kevin

You are a machine. I love the look of your sausage. Did the flavor work our for you. Your cut shots look very professional. I am still looking for a roaster. It would be easier for small batches. When we do larger batches the large tank is great but it is too much work for a small batch. I have been working on an outside sausage making area. I plumbed the hot and could water to the outside wall. For clean up I can just let the water fly.

Kirby
Hi Kirby
I'm really pleased with this batch of 'basa. I had used VERY lean cuts for this mix (pork shoulder chops were on sale for $1.69/lb!) so had to add a bit of extra pork fat I had in the freezer just to get it into a 20% fat range. My concern was too lean=dry & lacking flavor. But the results was moist, juicy & garlicky. The bucket worked great for mixing this batch too. 25-30 minutes to finish in the roaster bath was a great time-saver.

Pensrock— I just got back from the party this evening in the Sierra foothills. More like 40 people showed up so the 10lbs was JUST the right amount. Mom-in-Law had a great time too.  :)

—Kevin
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: ghost9mm on August 21, 2011, 07:02:19 AM
Great job Kevin...I think this is going to be my next project using your recipe... I will wait till Pat gets done her radiation therapy in three weeks, but we will make some kielbasa for just two...lol
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: cobra6223 on August 21, 2011, 01:41:34 PM
Kevin those GREAT !! Can't wait to try somecould or would you please post the exact amounts ? Thank you in advance, one last thing, just got home from 10.5's smoke out you need to get that roaster under a lock and log chain or in a vault, it was a very hot topic and I think about 50 guy's would now like to have that roaster, not sure if it would be used for sausage or just an antique  ;D
keep the great sausage pic's coming, Thanks for sharing.

Tim
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Kevin A on August 23, 2011, 11:53:41 AM
Quote from: cobra6223 on August 21, 2011, 01:41:34 PM
Can't wait to try somecould or would you please post the exact amounts ?
Tim

Tim, I'll post the recipe soon as I locate it....

Here's something for you discriminating Art Lovers...."Kielbasa Still Life."  ;D

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/Kiel_stillife.jpg)
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: NePaSmoKer on August 23, 2011, 07:01:04 PM
yup

real nice
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: viper125 on August 23, 2011, 07:09:46 PM
Hey guys check craigs list. Youngstown area had three or four the other day.
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: OU812 on August 24, 2011, 07:27:59 AM
Nice, verry nice.

The money shot is makin me hungry.
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: SouthernSmoked on August 24, 2011, 08:06:21 AM
Quote from: Kevin A on August 19, 2011, 06:42:58 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/GuitarPix/Stuffer%20Stuff/kielbasa_sliced-1.jpg)

Man Oh Man! Nothing but MONEY!! That looks killer!!!
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Kevin A on August 24, 2011, 08:37:36 AM
Quote from: cobra6223 on August 21, 2011, 01:41:34 PM
Can't wait to try somecould or would you please post the exact amounts ?
Tim

Here ya go, Tim! Simple recipe—most of the work is the prep in cubing & curing a portion of the meat. If one doesn't wish to do the 'cube,' its faster to just grind & mix everything.

Polish Kielbasa

Pork 10lbs— 5lbs ground using 4.5mm plate; 5lbs LEAN cut in 1/2" cubes; add 1 level tsp cure#1 to 1.2 cup cold water, dissolve & mix with cubes. Refrigerate overnight.

Kosher Salt    90g
Cure#1          2 level tsp
Sugar            12g
Black pepper  10g
Marjoram (powdered)  5g
Garlic   16-20g (5-10 cloves, to taste)
Cold water     2 cups

Mix ground & cubed meat; add spices & rest of cure. Mix well into a sticky meat paste.
Stuff into 32-42mm natural casing. Hang to dry for at least an hour before applying smoke.
Heavy smoke for 2 hours; begin @130° raising temps gradually to 160°. Pull when desired color is reached (IT around 135°).
Poach in 160-170° water until IT hits 157°. Dunk in ice bath to cool or fan-dry on rack. Refrigerate.

That's how I did it, at least.  ;)


Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Jim O on August 24, 2011, 09:53:58 AM
Hey Kev !

Great lookin' stuff. Love the colour !

Jim O
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: pikeman_95 on August 24, 2011, 07:11:21 PM
Quote from: Kevin A on August 24, 2011, 08:37:36 AM
Quote from: cobra6223 on August 21, 2011, 01:41:34 PM
Can't wait to try somecould or would you please post the exact amounts ?
Tim

Here ya go, Tim! Simple recipe—most of the work is the prep in cubing & curing a portion of the meat. If one doesn't wish to do the 'cube,' its faster to just grind & mix everything.

Polish Kielbasa

Pork 10lbs— 5lbs ground using 4.5mm plate; 5lbs LEAN cut in 1/2" cubes; add 1 level tsp cure#1 to 1.2 cup cold water, dissolve & mix with cubes. Refrigerate overnight.

Kosher Salt    90g
Cure#1          2 level tsp
Sugar            12g
Black pepper  10g
Marjoram (powdered)  5g
Garlic   16-20g (5-10 cloves, to taste)
Cold water     2 cups

Mix ground & cubed meat; add spices & rest of cure. Mix well into a sticky meat paste.
Stuff into 32-42mm natural casing. Hang to dry for at least an hour before applying smoke.
Heavy smoke for 2 hours; begin @130° raising temps gradually to 160°. Pull when desired color is reached (IT around 135°).
Poach in 160-170° water until IT hits 157°. Dunk in ice bath to cool or fan-dry on rack. Refrigerate.

That's how I did it, at least.  ;)

Thanks Kevin

I have filed this one. Do you think that using a 1/2 " plate would give the large chunks that you are looking for. I am too lazy to cut up everything in 1/2 inch cubes and then working the rest of it as it states. I would make a larger batch on your word that it is great stuff. How is that for pressure. I just don,t want to get my junk dirty for a small batch. So far lately I am happy with what I have made. Thanks again for the recipe.

Kirby
Title: Re: Polish Party Time: Kielbasa for the masses.....
Post by: Kevin A on August 25, 2011, 09:30:18 AM
Kirby

Yeah, the cubes are definitely optional. You could coarse-grind half & get a similar results, or just medium grind the whole lot & be done with it in one shot.

Why'd I know you'd be making a BIGGER batch?  ;D
Please note that I've used kosher salt in the recipe, not regular salt. That's why I listed ingredients in weight, not volume. Same rational with powdered/ground versus leafed marjoram. Add as much garlic as desired.

—Kevin