My First Bacon....EVER!!!

[Caribou]

Hi everyone :)
I made my first bacon and I used 10.5's recipe from the recipe site: http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?542-Maple-Cured-Bacon
It was so easy and it came out so good.

My ingredients.  The pork belly was 5 pounds and came skinned.

Cure and other ingredients applied all over the pork belly.

into the bag and the frig for 7 days to cure.

Into the OBS with 2 hrs of maple smoke

Removed from the smoker when it hit an IT of 140F

I had to sample a bit to see how it came out, it was awesome!!

Took it to the meat processor and he sliced it for $2.65....don' think I'm going to buy a slicer anytime soon! ;)

Vacuum-sealed 3 lbs and a package of ends for beans.  Kept one pound out for the frig.

I have the other half of the pork belly and want to try to make honey bacon next.
Want to use honey from my own bees, so I'll have to wait until next month.

I'm NEVER buying bacon again!
Carolyn

[deb415611]

Looks awesome.  It's hard to buy bacon or eat it out after making your own :D

[Caribou]

Looks awesome.  It's hard to buy bacon or eat it out after making your own :D

No, kidding Deb ;)
Because I didn't own a slicer, I didn't think I'd be making any anytime soon.
He even offered to wrap it at that price, too.

Carolyn

[Tenpoint5]

You Done GOOOOD Carolyn!! That looks great.

[neocostical]

Looks GREAT!!! Nice work.....

[Meat tooth]

Talk about inspiration! Must try it!

[GusRobin]

Carolyn,
Great job. Yes once you make it and taste it you find it hard to buy bacon again. I lost my source for bellies and have to find another one soon.

[Bavind]

Fantastic I was of the same opinion when I made my first batch

[Caribou]

Thanks everyone :)
I'm definitely hooked and it really wasn't any work compared to the other things I smoke.

Carolyn

[Quarlow]

Holy smoke  :D :D :D that fifth pic sure is a prize. Nice job Carolyn.

[TestRocket]

Yea, Gus really needs to find us a new source for bellies. Every time I see homemade bacon my mouth waters! You done good!   ;D

[ghost9mm]

Carolyn...for the first time you really did a great job, that bacon would surely be good on a BLT... :D

[Caribou]

Yea, Gus really needs to find us a new source for bellies. Every time I see homemade bacon my mouth waters! You done good!   ;D

When I wanted to make my own ham, I asked the meat guy at my local grocery store and he said he could get anything I want including pork bellys.
At the time it was all $1.97 a pound.
I'm guessing that this isn't unique to my local store.

Carolyn

[TestRocket]

Yea, Gus really needs to find us a new source for bellies. Every time I see homemade bacon my mouth waters! You done good!   ;D

When I wanted to make my own ham, I asked the meat guy at my local grocery store and he said he could get anything I want including pork bellys.
At the time it was all $1.97 a pound.
I'm guessing that this isn't unique to my local store.

Carolyn

I've only asked the meat guy at Kroger's. I'll try a couple of other stores! Thanks!  ;D

[Caribou]

Yea, Gus really needs to find us a new source for bellies. Every time I see homemade bacon my mouth waters! You done good!   ;D

When I wanted to make my own ham, I asked the meat guy at my local grocery store and he said he could get anything I want including pork bellys.
At the time it was all $1.97 a pound.
I'm guessing that this isn't unique to my local store.

Carolyn

yes, you never know until you ask. :)
I found that out with the meat slicing.  I asked the processor if they would slice stuff for me and they said yes and it was REALLY cheap too.
And I didn't have to clean the slicer when I was done either. ;)

Carolyn

I've only asked the meat guy at Kroger's. I'll try a couple of other stores! Thanks!  ;D