Maple Sugar & Black Pepper Bacon

[Bob Correll]

I did the usual easy 7 day Tender Quick & brown sugar cure on a 3 lb. slab of pork belly.
Set up a Kbb snake with apple and hickory.

Before smoking I pressed on maple sugar and fresh ground black pepper.

The sugar was making it sweat, so I had to paper towel dry it a few times.
This was about 2 hours in running 190 to 210 hood temp on the Performer.
Oh, and I used a Smokettle pan to help shield and diffuse heat and smoke.

Three and a half hours later it was 145 internal, time for a zip bag, ice water bath.

After shutting down last night I checked the coals this morning, had half a snake left.

This morning:

Cast iron skillet fried bacon and egg McBob:

Thanks for the visit, and happy TGIF to you working stiffs!

 

[Chris_Vagnozzi]

Looks delicious, well done! How well did the maple sugar taste come through?

 

[Bob Correll]

Thanks Chris, the sugar/pepper flavors were subtle, just what I was shooting for.

 

[TonyUK]

Two to go please Bob!

I must try this. Great cook!

 

[Robert-R]

That's some good looking bacon! Breakfast for a champion, I'd say.

 

[DBWallis]

Nice,I can almost taste it from here!

Bacon is high on my "want to try" list, and I finally found a store not too far away that carries pork bellies.

 

[Craig Alumbaugh]

Nice job Bob, looks delicious

 

[Cliff Bartlett]

Excellent cook Bob. You photos are amazing. That sandwich looks scrumptious!!

 

[Gene Brownson]

HOOO CHEEEEE WAWA!!! looks fantastic Bob!!

Where might one of us working stiffs find a smokettle pan to assist us in our bacon/smoking in the kettle?.....man

 

[Bob Correll]

Thanks again all!

Gene, Chris gave a link, not sure if the discount is still on.
http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?604...er-Pans-for-Weber-kettles&highlight=smokettle

 

[Rich Dahl]

Bob, your bacon process has been on the top of my bucket list for a long time. I've heard Costco now sells bellies as no one else around here does. I'll order the tender quick as soon as I know I can get the bellies. So it looks like I'll be jumping in shortly. Just hope mine comes out half as good as yours.

 

[JRAiona]

Beautiful bacon Bob. I haven't done a dry cure as yet but it is on the list.

 

[Enrico Brandizzi]

It looks gorgeous!
Complimenti!

 

[Gene Brownson]

Thanks Bob

 

[CaseT]

Yumm great looking Bacon and breakfast sandwee! I just picked up four bellies from our Costco. Time for some more bacon makin!

 

[Tommy B]

Looks great Bob. Bacon is on my to do list. My rookie question is do you have to have a meat slicer? I would assume its pretty tough to make good slices of bacon by hand... I don't want to invest in a meat slicer but am thinking I may have too. Once again great cook!

 

[Bob Correll]

Tommy,
I have a meat slicer, but usually slice by hand with a Henckels 10" slicing knife.
A sharp, larger size chef's knife will work too.
The thinner slices just cook faster than the thicker ones.

 

[DBWallis]

I have an awesome Henkels meat slicer... manage the worst two finger cuts ever with that bad boy!

 

[Clint]

I saw pork bellies @ Costco a couple days ago - - I'll be trying your bacon before long.

 

[JLHillman]

Oh Hell yeah!