Author: manthatscooking

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Cold Smoked Cheese

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Cold Smoked Cheese

It’s cooling down outside and that is a perfect time to make your own smoked cheese. When the temperature stays below 80F you can fill up that pellet tube with your favorite wood flavors and get to smoking. For cold smoking, you are only burning pellets in the tube and this is the only heat source. This won’t be enough heat to melt the cheese however keep the tube at least 1 foot away from the cheese. You can use any type of grill or smoker to make cold smoked cheese as long as it has a lid and some ventilation. There are many different cheeses that you can use for smoking and what works for you might be different than what is listed here. If this is your first time smoking cheese, give these a try then expand out next time.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz colby jack
  • 8 oz medium cheddar
  • 8 oz pepper jack
  • 8 oz baby swiss
  • 8 oz jarlsberg

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Directions

First, fill a 3 hour smoke tube with pellets. For soft and semi-soft cheeses, use a lighter flavored wood such as apple. For hard cheeses use something with more flavor such as pecan or hickory. Light the pellets with a torch and allow them to burn for a minute or two. Blow out the flame and let the pellets smoke. Close the lid on the grill or smoker.


Next, remove any wax rind on the outside of the cheese. Slice the cheese block into smaller blocks roughly 4 x 4 x 2. This exposes more surface area which attracts smoke flavor. Place the smaller blocks onto a cooling rack and transport it to the grill or smoker.


Use a temperature monitor with an ambient probe to make sure the temperature in the grill or smoker does not exceed 90F. Smoke for 3 hours and turn each piece of cheese every 30 minutes. After 3 hours, remove the cooling rack with the cheese and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.


For storage, wrap the cheese in wax paper then vacuum seal each piece. Most cheeses can be stored up o 3 months in the refrigerator.

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Southern-ish Potato Salad

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Southern-ish Potato Salad

This recipe is a non sweet take on a classic potato salad. It has similar ingredients such as dill relish instead of sweet relish but also adds a little heat with cayenne pepper. If you are not into sweet or maybe you are into trying out new recipes, give this one a try.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds russet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for potato boil)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle relish
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1/2 cup red onion
  • 2 hard boiled eggs
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for dressing)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

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Directions

Place the potatoes and 1 tablespoon of salt in a large pot, and cover with water. Bring to a boil on high heat and then reduce the heat to medium to maintain a simmer. Cook for about 20 – 30 minutes until a small knife can be inserted into the potato without resistance. At this point drain the water and allow the potatoes to cool. After about 20 minutes, peel the potatoes with a pairing knife then cut them into small chunks and add them to a large mixing bowl.


While the potatoes are cooking, dice the onion and celery. Set this aside in a large mixing bowl.


In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, relish, vinegar, and all seasonings listed. Stir the ingredients together until they are well blended. Pour the dressing over the potatoes and diced veggies, then stir lightly for a few minutes. Try to break down any large potato chunks with your spoon. Cover the bowl with cellophane and allow this to sit overnight in the refrigerator.


The next day, season the top of the potato salad with paprika. Slice the hard boiled eggs and layer them on top. Lightly sprinkle paprika on the eggs. Serve and enjoy!

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Smoked Cowboy Beans

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Smoked Cowboy Beans

Cowboy beans are a spicy delicious side dish or main course for your next summer BBQ. If you like jalapeño peppers and some sweet heat, give this recipe a try!

Ingredients

  • 1 16 oz can kidney beans
  • 1 16 oz can pinto beans
  • 1 16 oz can navy beans
  • 1 16 oz can black beans
  • 12 ounces of salt pork or bacon
  • 4 bratwurst sausages
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 jalapeno peppers
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup bbq sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon BBQ rub

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Directions

First, lay out the 4 bratwurst sausages and salt pork slices onto a cooling rack. Season all sides with your favorite BBQ rub. Place the sausage and bacon cooling rack in the smoker and cook at 250 F for 2 hours. Use your favorite pellets because this recipe works with a variety of smoke flavors.


While the meat is smoking, dice one yellow onion, then slice two jalapenos leaving the seeds in. Open each can of beans, drain the liquid into the sink, then pour the beans into a large cast iron skillet or foil pan. Add the onion, jalapenos, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, and molasses. Stir everything until all the ingredients are combined.


When the meat is finished smoking, pull it from the smoker and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Slice the bratwurst and pork as thin or thick as you like, then add it to the bean mixture. Stir everything together once again, then place it on the smoker. Smoke at 250 F for 2 hours stirring every half hour.

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Detox Weight Loss Soup

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Detox Weight Loss Soup

And after a year of COVID and lockdown many of us have put on a few extra pounds. Sometimes soup is all you need, and this recipe will help to nourish and clean out impurities. And hey, maybe you will drop a few pounds too! You can follow this recipe as is or you can easily modify it with any vegetables that you like. If you make changes, try to include beans of some kind. They give you a hearty protein that helps you to feel full.

Ingredients

  • 2 – 32 oz vegetable broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 celery sticks
  • 4 carrots
  • 2 small spanish onions
  • 1 leek
  • 4 cups (3 large leaves) fresh kale
  • 2 cups chopped mushrooms
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 can cannellini or small white beans
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 zest of full lemon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme

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Directions

First, add olive oil to a large stock pot and heat on medium high. Next dice the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Wash the mushrooms, chop them slightly into smaller bits, then add to the pot. Mince the garlic and add to the pot. Stir for several minutes, then add the zest of one lemon.


Add the vegetable broth, water and juice from the lemon. Slice and wash the leeks and add them to the soup. Remove the stems from the kale then chop the leaves into small bits. Add the kale to the pot then set the heat to high.


Allow everything to boil for 2 minutes then turn down the heat to low. Cover and cook on low for 1/2 hour. Add the beans and continue to cook for 1/2 hour to 2 more hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.

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