Smoking food is not new…
In fact, it has been around for a very long time.
I am sure it was discovered by accident and humans never looked back.
So why do we love it so much, and what can we put on it to make it taste even better?
Let’s find out…
We Have Been Smoking Food for Years
Over the years, humans have strived for a method of preserving meat that also retained flavour.
This was achieved with Beef Jerky, which is meat cut into strips with the fat removed.
The next step is to marinate the meat in a salty, spicy or sweet liquid and then it is dried.
The drying can be done artificially or by sun drying.
The usual meat used for Beef Jerky recipes is brisket or round or flank steak. The meat does not have to be refrigerated.
Jerky is normally made from beef but alternatives can include turkey, alligator, ostrich, moose, caribou, elk meat and venison. Fish too can be used, such as tuna or salmon.
The smoking or salting preservative methods keep the nutritional value of the food and Beef Jerky recipes are popular with people who are travelling or camping, as they are slow to perish.
Commercially produced jerky can be stored for up to a year and homemade can be kept for one to two months.
The dishes are most commonly found in the USA, Canada and Europe.
The marinade used makes all the difference to the meat and keen cooks can experiment with their own recipes or buy ready-made products.
Seasonings are important too and often include:
- cayenne pepper
- white pepper
- cheese powder
One of the classic Beef Jerky recipes includes:
- a marinade with brown sugar
- seasoning
- Teriyaki Sauce and garlic
Other popular flavours are:
- Worcestershire Sauce
- soy sauce
- molasses
- dark corn syrup
- liquid smoke
There are regional variations to jerky and some are spicier than others.
Chinese Beef Jerky uses typical Chinese ingredients:
- dry sherry
- honey
- white pepper
- ginger
- red pepper
- soy sauce
Blue Ribbon Beef Jerky is a simple blending of soy sauce and Chinese 5-Spice Powder.
There is a whisky jerky recipe with a cup of:
- Jack Daniels
- ketchup
- onion
- lime juice
- apple cider vinegar
- chilli powder
- thyme
- sage
Wisconsin Beef Jerky uses:
- ground black peppercorns
- onion powder
- sea salt
- soy sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce
- and liquid smoke
Any taste can be easily accommodated in Beef Jerky recipes.
An Indian flavour is attained with ready-made curry powder or by blending:
- coriander
- turmeric
- ground cumin together
These ingredients are then mixed with chilli powder and ginger.
Cajun cooking can also be applied to jerky with the addition of Tabasco or Louisiana Hot Sauce.
Jerky is there for all to enjoy!