pens spicy snack sticks

4blade · December 29, 2009, 07:47:00 AM

greg tried your recipe first time and my venison sticks were very dry,not nice consistent color and texture like most are posting here.7lbs venison 3lbs pork ,mix and temps according to recipe and gauge on bradley and bradleymeat gaugefor IT.any ideas how to fix ,thanx

Mr Walleye · December 29, 2009, 10:37:35 AM

4blade

What was the fat content of the pork you used?

The reason I ask is you made a 10 lb batch... 7 lbs was venison which is pretty much 100% lean... you want to have a final mix of around 80% meat and 20% fat... some use up to 30% fat... based on your mix the pork would have to be 2/3's fat to have a final mix of 80/20... If you used pork butt it is approximately 80/20 on it's own.

I suspect you didn't have enough fat in it.

Mike

4blade · December 29, 2009, 02:15:25 PM

thanx mike ,yes we did use pork butt ,so i guess we need more of the pork fat than the meat of the butt? will try again thanx

NePaSmoKer · December 29, 2009, 04:43:24 PM

Just seen this post.

Have to go with Mike on it too.

Another thing, you didnt grind the ECA did you?

pensrock · December 29, 2009, 05:09:29 PM

Yep Mike got you steered in the right direction. I have only used this recipe with 80/20 ground beef. But there is no reason you cannot use venison but you need fat to keep it moist.

NePaSmoKer · December 29, 2009, 05:21:12 PM

I did 10 pounds of venison with this recipe. Mixed 80/20, turned out great

4blade · December 31, 2009, 07:52:23 AM

thanx guys ,i think i have a longer learning curve,thats why this forum is great,frustrating though to see all the pics of you r sticks and mine still look like crap,nepa what is ECA , isee lots of abbreviations on the site but for us rookies ? i need an abbrev cheat sheet for all the posts.will definately up the fat content ,

pensrock · December 31, 2009, 08:14:46 AM

ECA = Encapsulated citric acid (optional) It give the sticks that little tangy taste.

NePaSmoKer · January 05, 2010, 10:09:50 AM

Here is Gregs spicy sticks. I didnt chop the red pepper flakes, like em whole ;D

This is the mix for the 5lb batch i am doing today.

Stuffed and going in fridge for awhile.

nepas

OU812 · January 05, 2010, 03:43:08 PM

NePas that ring of sticks is sure prety. ;D

NePaSmoKer · January 06, 2010, 07:47:46 AM

Got the 5lbs of pens recipe hanging now with pecan smoke.

And when i turn around i have the cold smoker going with cheese ;D Apple smoke for this one.

nepas

pensrock · January 06, 2010, 07:52:18 AM

Starting to get some color in the new six rack I see. Still pretty shiny though. :)

NePaSmoKer · January 06, 2010, 08:14:48 AM

Quote from: pensrock on January 06, 2010, 07:52:18 AM
Starting to get some color in the new six rack I see. Still pretty shiny though. :)

Yeah it is.

If it wasnt so freakin cold i would load it up with a couple butts.

jcohan · January 06, 2010, 11:50:10 AM

Quote from: NePaSmoKer on January 06, 2010, 08:14:48 AM
If it wasnt so freakin cold i would load it up with a couple butts.

Ah, but when it's cold you can smoke cheese without it turning into a scary halloween decoration!

This is in my album of first attempts.

KevinG · January 06, 2010, 11:55:11 AM

It's done. ;D