This will be a place where I will be publishing the recipes that I reference in the body of my blogs in a more user-friendly format.
Dry Cure for bacon (makes about 3 1/2 cups (725g))
It is best to use a scale when measuring out these ingredients (the salt especially) because crystals are so varying in size (and the difference between 1t of one type of kosher salt and 1t of another varies quite a bit). As Michael Ruhlman writes in Carcuterie: "I use Morton's Kosher Salt: a cup weighs almost 8 ounces. Brian uses Diamond Crystal kosher salt; a cup of this salt weighs 4.8 ounces. That's a big difference." (p. 38)
1lb (450g) kosher salt
8oz (225g) granulated sugar
2oz (50g) pink salt
This cure is good for curing all meats. Use 2oz (50g) for every 5lb (2.25kg) meat.
Because the cold weather has set upon us and I am just getting over a nasty cold, I thought that I would share a recipe for Hot Buttered Rum. It is my favorite sick drink in the evening because it gets me to sleep quickly and I have to think that the rum helps kill some of the germs. Don't overdo it otherwise you might get more sick, but here you go:
1lb brown sugar
1/2 lb softened butter
1t nutmeg
1t cinnamon
1t cloves
1t caramom
1t vanilla
Mix the batter together. You can add or subtract spices as you like. I am not too exacting with the measurements. This batter can be refrigerated or frozen for all future use, but to use immediately, take about 1 - 2 T of the batter and add to a good shot of rum in a mug. Fill with very hot water and stir until dissolved. Sip and slumber.
Ginger lemon curd (to make 5L)
15 lemons
zest of 4
juice of all
8 whole eggs
12 egg yolks
300g sugar
1t salt
1" grated ginger
320g butter, cut into small chunks
Beat the eggs, sugar and salt until mixed, stir in the lemon juice, zest and ginger and add the butter. Cook over a med. heat, stirring continuously until thick enough to coat a spoon. Make sure it doesn't boil. When it is thick, remove from heat and continue to stir and transfer to smaller containers to cool (Ball jars work quite well).
