Recipes for smokers: bacon, brisket, ABTs

Makes 24.

Note: Jess Ford likes to keep the seeds and cores in a couple of peppers, warning guests that the platter holds a few anonymous hotties. "At Smokapalooza, four people told me they got the hot ones. Funny thing is, I only put two in there!" Here's a forum: www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/176/abts.

• 12 large jalapeños

• 6 oz. cream cheese

• 1 1/2 c. shredded cheese of your choice

• 1 1/2 c. cooked seasoned meat, poultry or seafood of your choice

• Salt, pepper and any other spices to taste, depending on your filling choice

Directions

Slice peppers in half lengthwise and remove core and seeds. Wearing protective gloves is a good idea.

Mix together cream cheese, cheese, meat and seasonings, then divide evenly among jalapeño halves and wrap each one with a piece of uncooked thin-sliced bacon. Use a toothpick to close if you need to, but thin bacon holds together well. These can be prepared 24 hours in advance of smoking.

Place in a smoker set at 225 degrees for 2 to 3 hours, or until the bacon is browned.

Nutrition information per jalapeño:

Carbohydrates2 gSaturated fat4 gCalcium53 mg

Protein6 gCholesterol28 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 high-fat meat.

Makes 5 pounds.

Note: Joe Pupel starts this process a week prior to the day he intends to smoke the bacon.

• 5 tbsp. Morton Tender Quick curing salt, divided

• 1/2 c. black pepper, divided

• 1/4 c. bay leaves, ground, divided

• 3 c. brown sugar, divided

• 2 c. kosher salt, divided

• 1 1/2 c. pure maple syrup

Directions

One week before you intend to cook, place the pork belly meat side down and sprinkle with half of the curing salt. Using protective gloves, massage the salt into the pork belly. Sprinkle a thin layer of half of the black pepper and half of the bay leaves over the belly, followed by half of the brown sugar and half of the kosher salt. Massage seasonings into the meat until packed on well.

Flip belly and repeat the process on the other side with the remaining half of the seasonings. Wrap well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 5 days.

Prepare the marinade by puréeing the apple and maple syrup in a blender, then simmer over low heat for 90 minutes. Rinse the pork belly clean of all seasonings, then add the pork belly to the marinade in a large plastic bag and return to refrigerator for 2 days.

Nutrition information per 1 ounce:

Calories39Fat2 gSodium315 mg

Carbohydrates2 gSaturated fat1 gCalcium6 mg

Protein2 gCholesterol10 mgDietary fiber 0 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: ½ fat.

Note: From "Backyard BBQ — The Art of Smokology," by Richard McPeake. He suggests using pecan and cherry wood in the smoker.

• 1 (8 to 10 lb.) brisket flat, trimmed slightly

• 2 c. "Hell" Fire Mop (recipe follows)

• 4 tbsp. "Rub Me Tender" Rub (recipe follows)

Directions

Place the brisket on a platter and keep at room temperature while your smoker comes up to temperature. Take remaining mop sauce out of the refrigerator.

Bring the smoker to about 300 degrees and place the brisket in the middle of the rack. Adjust heat to 225 degrees and smoke at the rate of 1 hour for every pound.

After the first two or three hours, when a "bark" has formed, start mopping the brisket with remaining mop sauce every 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until sauce is gone or brisket is done. Cook until meat is tender, with an internal temperature of 195 degrees.

Nutrition information per 3 ounces:

Calories195Fat8 gSodium360 mg

Protein27 gCholesterol79 mgDietary fiber0 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 4 lean meat.

Makes about 5 ¼ cups.

Note: You can vary the heat of the mop by adjusting the amount of Asian chile paste.

• 1 1/2 c. rice wine vinegar

• 1/2 c. Asian chile paste

• 1/2 c. superfine sugar

• 1/2 c. soy sauce

• 1/4 c. molasses

• 1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce

• 1 1/2 tbsp. Rub Me Tender rub (recipe follows)

• 1/4 c. olive oil

Directions

In a stainless steel bowl, combine the vinegar, beef broth, chile paste, sugar, soy sauce, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard and Rub Me Tender rub; blend well. Whisk in olive oil. This may be kept at room temperature.

Makes 3 ½ cups.

• 1 c. turbinado sugar

• 1/2 c. kosher salt

• 1/4 c. garlic salt

• 1/4 c. seasoning salt

• 1/4 c. granulated onion

• 1/4 c. brown sugar

• 1/4 c. paprika

• 1/4 c. black pepper

• 2 tbsp. lemon pepper

• 2 tbsp. cayenne pepper