Salami Food

SALAMI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, black pepper, garlic, mustard seed and curing salt until well blended. Divide into 2 or 4 rolls, wrap in aluminum foil, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the wrapped rolls in the water, and simmer for 1 hour over medium to low heat. Remove carefully, and poke holes in the foil to drain. Set aside to cool. Remove foil, and rewrap with new aluminum foil. Refrigerate until fully chilled, about 3 hours. Slice, and use for sandwiches, crackers, salads or just snacking.

HOMEMADE SUMMER SAUSAGE AKA SALAMI

Steps:

• Mix together all ingredients in a nonmetal bowl. It is easier to mix the seasoning with the water, then incorporate the meat, using your hands to distribute all spices evenly (like making a meatloaf). A note, based on a review, do not over mix the meat or it will be tough. This is true about any kind of meat, work it just enough to get every thing incorporated.
• I use an ice cream bucket and place a lid on top.
• Refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Remove from bowl and roll into 4 rolls, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick.
• Wrap in aluminum foil with shiny side towards meat.
• Punch tiny holes along one side and place in a broiler pan with holes down to drain out liquid.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove foil and rewrap in plastic wrap.
• Ready to use or freeze.

HOMEMADE SALAMI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard seed, curing salt, black pepper and liquid smoke. Mix in the red pepper flakes if desired. Roll the mixture into a 2 inch diameter log, and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Make a few slits in the bottom of the roll to allow the fat to drain when cooking. Place roll onto a broiler pan, and fill the bottom part of the pan with about 1 inch of water to keep the salami moist.
• Bake for 90 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from pan and cool completely before unwrapping the salami. Slice and eat as lunch meat, or serve on a tray with crackers and cheese.

NO-KNEAD SALAMI BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and yeast. Add the water and stir with a stiff rubber spatula until combined and there are no longer bits of flour, 20 to 30 seconds. (It will be very sticky.) Cover with plastic and let sit on the counter at room temperature overnight, 12 to 18 hours.
• Remove the plastic cover and smell the funky fermented aroma and appreciate the bubbles. Sprinkle one-third of the salami and chives over the top. Using a rubber spatula, fold the outside of the dough over the salami to cover. Repeat this process two more times until all of the salami and chives are folded in.
• Lay a piece of parchment paper on the counter and sprinkle with an even layer of flour to cover the surface (about 1/4 cup or so). Scrape the dough onto the floured parchment and use heavily-floured hands to shape it into a roundish blob. Press in any exposed salami bits and pinch the dough to seal. Sprinkle the top with another layer of flour and cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Let sit until the dough has risen by half, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Place a 3- or 4-quart lidded Dutch oven on the rack and allow to heat while the oven reaches the desired temperature.
• When the dough has proofed, carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven and remove the lid. Uncover the plastic from the bread dough and gently lower the dough into the Dutch oven on the parchment. Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, then bake until the top is golden brown and crusty, another 10 to 20 minutes.
• Let it cool on a rack for about an hour, then slice and serve with butter if desired. This is best on the first day, but it will freeze well wrapped tightly in plastic.

SPICY SALAMI MOZZARELLA STICKS WITH VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Form the sticks: Place two slices of salami on a cutting board so that they are overlapping and slightly longer than the mozzarella stick. Wrap up the mozzarella stick so it is completely covered in the salami and transfer, seam side down, to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Repeat wrapping the remaining mozzarella sticks with the salami. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• While the mozzarella sticks are chilling, place the flour, egg mixture and breadcrumbs in separate wide shallow containers.
• Working with one at a time, roll the mozzarella sticks in the flour and shake off any excess. Roll the sticks in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumbs. Double coat by rolling the sticks in the egg mixture and breadcrumbs a second time. Arrange on a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with all of the sticks and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Fry the sticks: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Pour the oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot and heat over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Meanwhile, set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Working in batches, carefully drop the sticks into the oil and gently "swirl" the oil so they fry more evenly on all sides. Fry until they are light to medium brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the mozzarella sticks with a slotted spoon or spider and lay them out in a single layer on the wire rack. Repeat until all are cooked. Keep warm in the oven if needed.
• Serve: Serve the mozzarella sticks with warm vodka sauce for dunking.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and season with salt. Stir in the vodka, sugar and red pepper flakes and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for an additional 5 to 8 minutes over high heat, stirring from time to time. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the cream. Puree in a blender until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.