The plan for the smoker was some Smoked Meatloaf. Yes, Smoked Meatloaf.
So first I need to prep the smoker and walk out and find this :)
Not a massive amount and the weather forecasters keep saying maybe some more but I will take what I can get.
First lets get the coals going...
As the coals get warmed up the kids and the wife decide it is time to play.
Well after some snowman are made and snowballs are thrown we decide to take a hike in the woods and do some exploring while the coals/smoker heat up. Found some old deer scrapes and some huge trees that have been down for a bit. Made it all the way up to the top of the hill just past the woods and got to just stand there with my wife and children and just take in the beauty before us. At this time I did not have my phone, I know, bad blogger.... but the snow was falling and the farms, fields, woods and hills were laid out before us and only us in that moment. Breath taking.
So we made our way back down and found the smoker ready to go.
During this time the meatloaf was resting and just waiting to come alive in the smoker.
Recipe is a simple one:
2 lbs Ground Veal
3 lbs Ground Burger
1 lb Ground Sausage (we had Italian)
1 bag of BBQ Kettle Chips (destroyed in a food processor)
2 eggs
4 splashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 spoonfuls minced garlic
Following spices to personal taste (we use a lot)
Onion Powder (with dried Parsley added)
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Ground Mustard
Dried Rosemary
I made the loafs about 2 hours before they hit the smoker and let them rest at room temp to let all the flavors play nice in the pool.
As you see I made some Bacon Blankets to wrap them in. It is cold out and I wanted the loafs to be comfy.
After the smoker got up to temp (230 F) I added some pecan wood chunks. I usually use apple wood logs in my smoker that I got from a tree I cut down a few years ago but wanted a bit different smoke profile today. I got a nice bag of pecan wood at my local Home Depot for just under $10.
So the smoke got rolling and I put the loafs on for a nice little cozy nap.
While they rested we went in and got out of our wet, cold clothes and got ready for the Super Bowl. We really had no dogs in the fight but were cheering for the Seahawks becasue... well.... the Patriots. Enough said.
But then ended up picking up a friendly bet on the game for some beers. Made the game more exciting even though the ending sucked. Seriously, worst play call ever.
When the loafs got to 150 I pulled them off....
Then we made some mashed taters and green beans and chowed down.
Everyone for the most part liked the loafs. The youngest didn't care for them but the wifey poo and the older 2 kids ate it up.
All and all definitely a do again smoker recipe. But next time be sure to cook this much for a lot more people, we have a lot of leftovers......
Oh well. Talk again soon.
Cheers!
Patrick
