There are plenty of different pleasures out there in life, fortunately, to make things just a little bit easier. Some people enjoy good wine after a long and exhausting day. Others grab their phones and indulge in a little gambling or play games. And then there are those who put on an apron, and start cooking, because what greater joy or gift is there than food? It might sound like a little self-indulgent, but food has the ability to create happiness and spread joy, especially if it is well cooked.
One of the best ways to make a meal is by smoking it, and it makes all the difference in the world in the taste. This guide will help you learn how to smoke your food.
Marinating
The key to a good smoked meat is in the marinade. The longer you let the meat, chicken, or vegetables marinate, the better it will taste –– a couple of hours or overnight at the most should do the trick. There are countless options out there, and it is your own preferences that will determine the ingredients, but there are certain directions you could take. You could soak the meat or chicken with BBQ sauce for that has smokier taste, for example, and others prefer a sour flavor so they add lemon and mustard. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to experiment with the marinade until you find your favorite recipe.
Get the right smoker
You can’t exactly smoke food without having a smoker or a grill. While the latter can be used for smoking meat or chicken, it takes a little bit more effort and time. A smoker, on the other hand, is perfect, and as you can see in the reviews by Project Smoked, there are plenty of different options out there. Charcoal smokers are pretty cool and do the job perfectly, with that smoky taste, but electric ones are also great for the task and they don’t take up as much time and are much easier to operate.
Selecting the wood
Yes, the kind of wood you use will make a huge difference in the final taste you’ll get. Mesquite, for example, is strong and overwhelming with its smoky flavor –– best paired with smaller cuts that cook quickly. Maple, on the other hand, is sweet and is perfect for pork or poultry. Then you have hickory that also has a strong flavor and works best with red meat. There are plenty of options out there, and you need to find one that works best with the meal you want to smoke.
Close the smoker/grill
A very important tip when smoking food on a grill or a smoker is to leave the lid closed. This is crucial so the temperature and smoke could stay inside and cook the meal with a perfect taste and delicious flavors.
Smoking food is an art of sorts, and it takes time to get the hang of things. You need to watch a lot of videos and read up on what the experts have to say, and more importantly, start experimenting. It will take you a couple of tries until you can find your specialty, but once you make delicious smoked food, it would be very difficult to stop.