My "Mexi-Cali" Hot Links (Recipe Added) & Kielbasa

[Kevin A]

After about a month hiatus from sausage-making, it's time to break out the big grinder & other goodies and get to work.

I wanted to try something new AND also do something more 'routine'—so I decided to make some regulars: kielbasa ( a 5-pound batch) and 4-pounds Jimmy Dean knock off bulk breakfast sausages (no photos of this exciting process, however—just me mixing spices into ground pork).

I also am trying a new recipe, sort of a variation on the Texas or Louisiana Hot links, which are popular. My version is using some local-grown California ingredients (although available most anywhere) plus some Mexican chiles. I call them "Mexi-Cali Hot Links." Not quite a chorizo—none of the vinegariness nor present cumin/oregano flavors one associates with chorizo. I maintained use of some of the floral spices found in hot links (allspice, coriander) and introduce some of the chile to the flavor party. Also I'm using a combination of beef AND pork as many hot links are.

So here are the ingredients.


I also am adding 8oz of cold filtered water to the mix. The garlic is fresh from Gilroy, CA— the 'garlic capital of the world' acquired on my last recent trip through there. The Pasilla negro chile powder is interesting as it has an almost dried fruit sweetness to it. The California chile powder is mild. Both chiles are low on the Scoville scale for heat. The cayenne brings the heat. I'm also using Tapatio Hot sauce, but any good Mexican hot sauce will suffice.

On to the meat:
Two & a half pounds of top round roast (cheap on sale), near frozen and cubed for the grinder:


For the pork, I'm using 5 lbs of pork shoulder (ample amount of fat) and several sections of pork loin (too lean by itself) I've had in the freezer. All cubed up = about 12.5 lbs of pork. I've some extra pork fat I'll need to add to bring the fat level up to about 25%...


The Grind:
Using a 4.5mm plate for all; first the beef:


Then the pork:


To offset the leanness of the loin, I added 1.3lbs of pork fat:


Mixing: 8oz of chilled water is added to help in the mixing of the spices into the meat:


After 10 minutes of hand-mixing, a good cohesive paste is formed. This will rest while I move on to the kielbasa:


The kielbasa is pretty straight-forward—no fancy ingredients; sometimes simple is best:


Spices added to the 5lbs of 100% pork:


Stuffing:

I used 32-34mm natural casings for both sausages. The kielbasa I made in to longer ropes; the hot links into 5-6" links.


I hung these to dry at room temp while I got the smoker prepped.

Into the smoker:
Using my new A-maze-n Tube smoker, filled with hickory pellets (both of these strong-flavored sausages can take a stronger-flavored smoke like hickory). One hour into the smoke:


More to come!...

Kevin

[Tenpoint5]

Feels pretty good to get back in the saddle again doesn't it Kevin

[Kevin A]

Feels pretty good to get back in the saddle again doesn't it Kevin

oh no doubt! Boys have been clamoring for more sausages for some time!

Kevin

4 hours in...getting close!

[Kevin A]

Well that took a bit longer than expected...

I decided to finish the links in the smoker versus in the water bath (as I usually do) as I was busy trying to finish two other projects concurrently.
So after 9 hours, the IT of 152°F is hit and I can now pull both the kielbasa and the hot links.

Rack cooling inside. I had them outside hanging for about an hour as its cold out tonight (relatively speaking, nor Cal cold 50°F).
The color on the sausages is great—the hot links almost a mahogany/amber hue. Hard to capture in the photos. More wrinkles are obvious finishing in the smoker. After a water bath, most links are fairly plump with no shrivel.


Sample time:
The kielbasa is nice & moist, garlicky, smokey with an herbal note. These should go great with sauerkraut & potatoes tomorrow night!


The Mexi-Cali Hot links: These are really interesting. You can definitely tell they're not you're typical Texas nor Louisiana hot links. The pasilla adds a very rich flavor and its a nice balance between the heat (its still there!), the smokiness, and the slight tang fro the hot sauce. Only thing I might try next time is to do a second FINE grind so the final texture is smoother (i.e. more hot dog-like as traditional hot links are). These resemble italian sausages in texture. I've gotten 3 thumbs up on these new sausages from the guys.

Kevin

[SmokinSignals]

Kevin,
Put me down as 4 thumbs up.  The sausage looks great.

[Kevin A]

Hot Links for breakfast! Why do these always taste better the next day?
Probably because I spent nearly 12 hours making 'em yesterday and can now relax & simply enjoy.  :)



Here's the recipe I used if you wish to try it. Add more heat if you like. This recipe is fairly conservative as far as HEAT goes.

Mexi-Cali Hot Links
Makes five pounds

Pork butt/shoulder     2.5lbs
Beef Chuck/round      2.5lbs

Kosher salt        44g
Non-Fat Dry Milk    40g
Smoked Paprika     15g
Pasilla Negro Chile powder  15g
California Chile Powder  15g
Cayenne pepper     9.0g
Onion Powder     16g
Mustard Powder    7.0g
Garlic Powder (or 2 fresh garlic cloves)   9.0g
Dk Brown Sugar  11g
Black Pepper   6.0g
Coriander, ground   4.0g
Allspice   3.0g
Mexican Hot Sauce   2 TBL
Cure#1     6.0g

Standard process for making sausage with Cure.

Both the Pasilla & California are low in Scoville heat (500-2000). You can sub in New Mexico (8,000-12,000), Chile De Arbol (15,000-30,000) or even Habenero (150,000-325,000) for more HEAT, but the Pasilla adds a richness the others peppers don't have.

Kevin

[beefmann]

great job,,,, they look sooo goood

[ragweed]

As always, super post, Kevin.  Great lookin' sausages.

[Mark in Ottawa]

Two enthusiastic thumbs way up! Those look great!

Thanks for sharing! Now I'll have to get the grinder going and give it a shot!

Mark (in Ottawa)