Pellet Fan

All Things Considered => General Discussion--Food Related => Topic started by: Bentley on January 17, 2024, 09:46:37 PM

Title: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on January 17, 2024, 09:46:37 PM
More Salami. L-C-R. Three 16 in 50mm Soppressata,  Three 18 in 60mm and 3 16 in 50mm Genoa, and finally Seven 16 inch 50mm Spanish Chorizo. 

And the pièce de résistance.  The 20 in 76mm Soppressata, being pressed during fermentation like the Old World Masters would do.  And this is a Calabrian variety, so you will need to enjoy a hot spicy kick to enjoy this one. (Personally I do not think it is gonna work with a collagen casing.  Needed a beef bung)

The Geno before being weighed and hung.  There is no mistaking Spanish Chorizo!

(https://i.imgur.com/zM95r6bh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DkQO2jlh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4MmX6Rih.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iFbHvTFh.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: GREG-B on January 17, 2024, 11:09:11 PM
Wow, nice!!!
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: elenis on January 18, 2024, 03:34:41 PM
It is so cool that you do all this Bentley. I just get myself super paranoid about giving family botulism by messing things up doing something like this, but I really enjoy meats like this.
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on January 18, 2024, 10:09:36 PM
It is a pretty straight forward process.  I learned there are no short cuts.  And the equipment can be had for less then I though if you are will to get things like used fridges.  After that, it is pretty much 2+2=4.  I learned the hard way pH is the area you do not want to guess at, for both safety and ruined product!  Will I ever get the subtle taste nuance's down, no.  But I like the way it comes out and for 1/5th the cost.
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: BigDave83 on January 19, 2024, 07:26:37 AM
Nice, a lot going on there.

Are you using a recipe or a  premade spice/seasoning mix?


Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on January 19, 2024, 10:26:46 AM
Recipe.  After the salt, cure and cultures, there are only 3-4 spices in each of these.
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on January 22, 2024, 12:28:25 PM
About the only time you want mold growing in your home.  I will say, it smells like an Italian Deli when you open the door, so I think that is a good thing! I think the 3rd batch might be the best so far!

(https://i.imgur.com/PuHLj02h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MExrBeIh.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: yorkdude on January 22, 2024, 01:35:59 PM
That really looks fantastic, I have been tempted several times but I also really fear getting something wrong and the subsequent fallout. We haven’t fired up the smoker in probably 5 months, we just dont really eat it much anymore. Not sure if its age related or just burned out on it? When the weather breaks we will make more jerky and maybe some more bacon but the bellies are priced ridiculously now so its by no means cost saving. Ugh.
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on January 24, 2024, 12:28:23 PM
1 week in and we are getting pretty good mold coverage.  I am please that the Mold is attaching to the Fibrous Casings.  As you know, a fibrous casing are a unique combination of regenerated cellulose applied to a special paper for exceptional strength and diameter uniformity.  So I had no idea what was coming.  I have also heard that they will not shrink with the meat like a collagen or natural casing.  I will be interested to see if that is true, and more importantly makes a difference in product quality!

And yes, I hate the wait.

(https://i.imgur.com/pJUxaWNh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JOuXP8ch.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: pmillen on January 24, 2024, 12:37:55 PM
This is better reading than a Ken Follett novel but I don't think it's for me.
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 01, 2024, 01:36:26 PM
Start of week 3.  The large pressed Sopprasota have lost about 23%.  The 65mm Genoa about 25% and the small 50mm in all 3 flavors are down 27-28% weight loss.  I shaved off a little of the pH nub testers and I think it is gonna be a good batch!

(https://i.imgur.com/NS8pHHLh.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: BigDave83 on February 01, 2024, 03:21:09 PM
nice uniform coat on it. What percentage of loss are you looking for?
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 01, 2024, 03:24:03 PM
Most recipes call for 35%, I prefer a harder salami, so I shot for 40%.
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 07, 2024, 03:16:44 PM
Start of week 4.

The 50mm are at about 37%.  I have come to finally understand that "Drying" time and the amount of time required to "finish" the salami are 2 different things. Technically they are safe to eat and OK, but may not have much depth of flavor (to which I can say yes I believe that after eating these 3)  The 50mm are done, They will now start "Aging."  The 65mm will probably be done in a week, and they will start aging.  And the 76mm will probably be done the 1st of March and they will start Aging.  At that point it takes 2-3 months of aging to develop the deeper flavors I guess!


(https://i.imgur.com/NYS9BQah.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mRuQndeh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Tq8u6kTh.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: yorkdude on February 07, 2024, 07:32:56 PM
All of them look fantastic!
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 07, 2024, 09:00:50 PM
I am thinking a tad less fat in the Sop and the Genoa or the real solution would be spend the money and get a meat mixer!  Just hate it for twice a year!
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 18, 2024, 12:32:25 PM
All of the 50mm have reached correct weight and are now aging.  The 65mm Genoa are just over 35% and the Sopprasota are just under 35% so a couple more weeks for them before aging.


(https://i.imgur.com/hzhQsuFh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XRX1qA7h.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 18, 2024, 06:54:20 PM
I always like to quantify success if I can.  I decided to buy what I consider Professionally/Commercially made salami and see how I stack up.  I believe right now my Sopprasota and Chorizo are better then the $20 stuff, but their Genoa has much more flavor then mine right now!

(https://i.imgur.com/T20B2jwh.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 25, 2024, 03:09:18 PM
Pretty much done with the drying phase.  On to the Aging.  Not a bad sandwich for only 5 oz. of meat.

(https://i.imgur.com/3AbGumqh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Wrdg3dth.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on February 25, 2024, 04:30:26 PM
Did you make the roll?  Sandwich looks good.  Not sure I could eat that much "hard" lunch meat on a sandwich.  Need a little softer ham on it for me.
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on February 25, 2024, 08:42:51 PM
A buddy made the roll and asked me to try it.  A little to hard for me, but good flavor.  I need that soft inner hoagie type roll.  And the meat was paper thin, cut on #1 setting!  But you are right, 3 oz would have been better!
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: Bentley on March 11, 2024, 05:37:55 PM
All finished.  Will wipe in some red wine vinegars and vac seal.

(https://i.imgur.com/xZjn59Ch.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7qtyDDAh.jpg)
Title: Re: Salami 2024
Post by: GREG-B on March 11, 2024, 09:45:35 PM
Very nice.   :clap: