Salt Lick Home Cured Ham Food

SALT LICK HOME CURED HAM

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, add water (can use half of necessary amount to infuse ingredients and add remainder as ice cold water later to facilitate cooling), salt (or Tender Quick if using), sugar, cure (if using), pickling spice, Dizzy Pig rub and garlic. Bring to hard boil for 10-12 minutes to infuse the brine with aromatic flavors and dissolve salt and sugar. Cool brine in non-reactive curing vessel (food grade pail or cooler works well for this larger project) until curing brine is 36-38°F. Strain brine and draw off approximately 4 cups of curing brine for each ham being cured. With meat injector/syringe, pump as much as 4 cups of brine into the ham, being sure to reach areas close to the bone. This ensures complete and even curing of the ham ‘right to the bone’. Immerse injected ham into curing vessel and refrigerate for 8-10 days Hot smoke until internal temperature of ham reaches approximately 135°F. At this point, begin to baste with glaze consisting of: 1/4 cup mustard,1/4 cup honey,1/8 cup orange juice, 1tbsp of the Dizzy Pig rub you used in the curing brine Glaze every 15 minutes until internal temp rises to 145-150°F Enjoy the best ham you’ll ever eat!