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Charcuterie/Cheese, Smoker


Boneless pork loin (size will depend on how much bacon you want to make.)
1 Tbl. Morton Tender Quick per pound
1 tsp. dark brown sugar per pound
1 tsp. garlic powder per pound
1 tsp. onion powder per pound

1.Trim fat and silver skin from pork loin.
2.Cut into 3 to 4 pound sections.
3.Weight each section.
4.Measure all dry ingredients for each section of meat based on the weight of each section, and thoroughly mix. be exact here, if one piece is 4 lbs and one 3 use the exact measure for each piece.
5.Rub the entire mixture on to the loin and into crevices.
6.Place loins into separate one gallon sealable plastic bags, and remove as much air as possible.
7.Cure meat in the refrigerator at 36- 40 F
8.Due to the thickness of the loin you will need to cure them for 6 days or more if thicker.
9.Once a day turn meat over and move the juice around.
10.When the loins are fully cured, remove loins from plastic bags and thoroughly rinse off.
11.Soak loin pieces in about three gallons of cool water for 30 minutes; remove from soak and pat dry.
12.Refrigerate uncovered overnight, or long enough to allow to dry and to form pellicle on the surface.
13.Place loins into a 225 F preheated Bradley.
14.Apply maple smoke for 1:40 to 2:00 hours you may need more depending upon the size of your pieces.
15.Smoke till Canadian Bacon hits 140 F. The texture and moistness is much better at this temperature (you can go up to 150). If you decide to use the 140 F temperature, make sure that your probe is in the thickest part of the meat. After it the meat reaches 140 F, slowly move the probe in and out. If there is a drop in temperature, leave the probe at that spot and continue to cook until the 140 F internal temperature is reached. If you have a good instant read thermometer, also use that to get your final reading.
16.Remove loins from smoker, and tent foil until loins are cool enough to be handled by hand.
17.Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap.
18.Refrigerate for at least two days.
19.Cut into 1/8 inch thick slices and serve. 1/4 the slices if serving on crackers.

This recipe is a modification of Morton Tender Quick recipe and curing methods; and Mallard Wacker's cooking guidelines for Buck Board Bacon.

You can add or subtract as many spices and flavoring you want to this recipe, as long as you maintain the correct amount of Tender Quick.

The dark brown sugar gives it a nice distinctive flavor, but you can replacement it with light brown sugar, or regular sugar or use maple granules.

You can increase the amount of applied smoke, but I like my Canadian bacon and pastrami lightly smoked. Keep in mind, that smoking a 225 F, your loins are going to reach 145 F -150 F in about 3 to 4 hours.

*OPTIONAL: At this point I used butcher's twine and tied the loin every 2-3 inches before smoking. This helps the bacon maintain a more rounded shape, and the even shape helps all parts cook more uniformly.

** I had two pieces in the smoker, and the tapered piece took 45 minutes longer to reach 140 F.

Excellent