The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Food processing => Topic started by: dixie on August 11, 2009, 06:16:07 pm
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Hi I am about to have a go at dry curing our pork for bacon and ham, bought all the necessary from design a sausage! the recommended curing time is 5-8 days, I dont like bacon too salty so should I leave it fewere days assuming the longer its curing the saltier it gets?
Also with the ham do I tip the fluid out each day and re-rub in the cure or leave it in the juices? All help to make this a success much appreciated! thanks.
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Hi Dixie,
There's instructions for dry & wet curing in the articles section - from Rosemary's expert instructions, you do need to tip out the 'juice' and re-rub the cure in and although you don't like the salt I think the 5-8 days is a minimum as she mentions people curing for up to 2 weeks (those who like it salty)
Probably worth checking it out yourself, just to be sure ;)
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Last year I used one of those clear plastic stackable box thingies with a lid,about 2.5ft x 1.5 x 1.5ft roughly. I drilled a 8mm hole through the side wall,right at the bottom. Then wedged the other end up so all the juices flowed out through the hole into an old saucepan. It saved a lot of faffing about with trying to tip a box weighing 60lb plus and trying to keep all the meat and salt from falling onto the floor. If you're worried about flies getting in through the hole,sellotape a flap of plastic.
It worked so well last year,I will be doing the same tomorrow when I get to butcher C & D who were home killed this evening......... Ree
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If the meat is too salty try soaking/boiling it a bit before cooking it properly. The water extracts the salt which you pour away.
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We salt our bacon for 14 days, then it will keep, hanging in the pantry, for months in cool weather. We soak the rashers of bacon in warm water for 10 mins before cooking and they're fine.
Are you taking the bone out of the Ham? We were not sure the salt got in deep enough with the bone in and will "tunnel bone" it this year.
Good luck!
Dave
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Thanks everyone, seems you all do it slightly differently, I suppose it takes a few goes to get it 'just right'! I'm a bit nervous leaving it to air dry :-\ and think I'll have a go in a plastic bix in the fridge? Ree I like the idea of the drainage hole! yes I'm planning to have the ham boned, I'm away a few days next week so will have a go upon my return! Any more tips gratefully received, I will let you know how it turns out!
Also I never knew about the articles section, its full of wonderful ideas thanks!