Boston Butts July 11th, 2009

jsummers

Pork Shoulder Butts, also known as Boston Butts are one of the most readily available and versatile sub primal cuts of fresh pork. The pork shoulder butt or simply “butt” is the top half, of the pork shoulder primal located between the upper neck and loin. It contains some of the lower neck and the shoulder blade bone. Retail ready pork shoulder butts have the neck and chine bones removed and usually weigh in at 6-9 pounds each, yield over 95% after de-boning and average around 80% lean.

Whole butts can be pot roasted, bone in or boneless, hot smoked, BBQ’d and made into pulled pork in sauce. Cut up sliced into pork steaks, chunked for stews, skewered for kabobs or made into carnitas. Cuts can be fried, broiled, braised, smoked, grilled, or steamed. They can be breaded, encrusted, glazed, or sauced.

Whole boneless butts cured, tied, and cold smoked are a great variation creating a well marbled ham-like product.

Butts can also be ground for pork burgers or seasoned and made into sausage. I use them for country pan sausage, bratwurst, smoked polish sausage, and many more varieties.

One of my favorite products made from butts is Butt Bacon. I will share directions on how to make this delicious bacon in an upcoming post.

De-boning butts is not difficult since the small blade bone, or scapula is all that needs removed. For the benefit of those who may not have the experience I’ll try and walk you through it here.

I start with the fat side down and the cut edge of the bone facing me. This leaves the flat side of the scapula up.

First inspect the surface of the butt for small bone fragments and remove. Then, using the point of your sharp boning knife make your intital cut in this area.

Cut the meat free from the flat side of the scapula shaving as close as possible to the bone.

Cut the meat free from the edge of the bone and work around to the scapula spine going up and over, staying as close to the bone as possible.

Continue around to the curved edge of the bone and cut it free.

Thats about all there is to it!

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Fibrous Sausage Casings June 10th, 2009

jsummers

Manufacturing Process

Fibrous casings are produced by forming a continuous tube from a special type of paper which is impregnated with regenerated cellulose. They are permeable to smoke and used for a wide range of applications including boneless hams and cooked or dried sausages. They are especially well suited to the manufacture of products which are intended for slicing.

Applications

  • Regular casings for applications where casing release or adhesion requirements are not critical.
  • Meat Cling casings for adherence to products throughout processing. Ideal for products sliced in the casing. Gives an “old world” wrinkled appearance on chub products.

Features

 

  • Excellent for all processed meats.
  • Uniform and tight diameter control for increased yields.
  • Flexible and strong to handle stress from stuffing, cooking and other processes.
  • Smoke transfers well through the casing where in-house application is desired.
  • Diameter sizes from 33 mm to 240 mm.
  • Kosher certified.

 

Storage And Handling

Store Fibrous casing in a cool, dry place away from steam pipes or hot storage areas. Casing should remain sealed in original containers until it is ready for use. Keep stock current by using the oldest stock first. To avoid possible damage, do not use knives, sharp instruments and hooks to open cartons.
If the casings are exposed to freezing temperatures during transport or storage, they should be held at temperatures between 55° to 75° F (12° – 24° C) for at least two days before being used. Very cold casing would be likely to break during stuffing

Click Here To View Our Fibrous Sausage Casings

 

Fibrous Casing Size Spec Sheet

Casing Size  Stuffing Diameter Circumference
Inches mm Inches mm
1/4 1.30 33 4-3/32 104
1/3 1.46 37 4-19/32 116
1/3L 1.50 38 4-23/32 119
1/2PS 1.54 39 4-27/32 122
1/2P 1.65 42 5-6/32 132
1SL 1.73 44 5-14/32 138
1K 1.81 46 5-22/32 144
1SL 1.89 48 5-30/32 151
1SM 1.97 50 6-6/32 157
1 2.01 51 6-10/32 160
1L 2.05 52 6-14/32 163
1W 2.09 53 6-18/32 166
1M 2.13 54 6-22/32 170
1-1/2 2.17 55 6-26/32 173
1-1/2L 2.32 59 7-9/32 185
2 2.40 61 7-17/32 192
2SL 2.48 63 7-25/32 198
2L 2.56 65 8-1/32 204
2-1/2S 2.76 70 8-21/32 220
2-1/2 2.87 73 9 229
3-12 2.99 76 9-12/32 239
4S 3.27 83 10-9/32 261
4 3.31 84 10-13/32 264
4L 3.39 86 10-21/32 270
5 3.46 88 10-28/32 276
5-1/2 3.70 94 11-20/32 295
5N 3.82 97 12 305
6M 4.02 102 12-20/32 320
6S 4.17 106 13-3/32 333
6-1/2 4.33 110 13-19/32 345
6-12M 4.41 112 13-27/32 352
7 4.49 114 14-3/32 358
7L 4.57 116 14-11/32 364
7-1/2 4.61 117 14-15/32 367
7-1/2K 4.65 118 14-19/32 371
8S 4.80 122 15-2/32 383
8 4.88 124 15-10/32 389
8L 5 1.27 15-22/32 399
9 5.24 133 16-15/32 418
9-1/2 5.47 139 17-6/32 436
10 5.67 144 17-26/32 452
10-1/2 5.91 150 18-18/32 471
11 6.14 156 19-9/32 490
11L 6.22 158 19-17/32 496
12 6.77 172 21-8/32 540
12L 6.93 178 21-24/32 553
14 7.48 190 23-16/32 597
18 8.66 220 27-6/32 691
20 9.45 240 29-22/32 754

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Freezer Burn June 2nd, 2009

jsummers

Causes And Prevention

Freezer burn is generally the result of non-airtight packaging. Freezer burn is a condition that occurs when ice crystals form in an area of the package where air is present. As water molecules escape to the surface the product underneath is dehydrated and becomes dry and brown or gray with a leathery appearance. Fats will oxidize and have a rancid flavor. This process can take days to weeks depending on the quality of the packaging and the temperature of the freezer.

Freezer burn can be prevented by using proper moisture and vapor proof packaging materials and wrapping tightly to prevent air pockets where water can leach out of the product and collect on the surface.

In addition to proper packaging freezer temperature plays an important part in the prevention of freezer burn. Temperatures of 0 deg F or below are necessary to minimize freezer burn. Fluctuating temperatures can also be a source of problems. As the temperature fluctuates above 0, moisture loss from evaporation can occur.

Food Safety

Food that is freezer burned is not necessarily unsafe. If the product was frozen the entire time until thawing for use it will be safe to use. However, it is likely that there will be an off or rancid flavor so freezer burned areas should be trimmed off and discarded before preparing.

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F. Dick Professional Butcher And Chef’s Knives March 30th, 2009

jsummers

I’ve used F. Dick knives and sharpening steels for 30 years and I dont think there is a brand out there that surpasses the quality of these knives.

F. Dick is a leading brand worldwide in professional areas due to the highest quality and the optimal use in accordance with ergonomic requirements and has been a manufacturer of high quality products in the following areas since 1778: 

*Tools and machines for butchers

*Chef’s knives and tools

*Machines for sharpening and grinding technology

The ErgoGrip Line

Ergogrip 5 Inch Curved Boning Knife

Ergogrip 5 Inch Curved Boning Knife

The Ergogrip knives are ergonomically designed to reduce hand and arm fatigue. These knives offer superior slip resistance, an extra wide thumb rest and a polished durable stainless steel blade. The Ergogrip knives offer large selection of specialized designs and sizes for specific butchering tasks. No compromise has been made when it comes to function and safety.

The Benefits Of Ergo-Grip Knives    

1. Polished, durable stainless steel blade with laser-tested cutting edge

2. Seamless connection of blade and handle

3. Extra-wide thumb rest for control, comfort, and safety

4. Well-defined finger guard for safety

5. Non-slip plastic handle, no abrasion, ergonomic design

6. NSF listing for commercial use

The Sanigrip Line       

Sanigrip Breaking Knife

Sanigrip Breaking Knife

The Sanigrip knives offer the same ergonomic design as the ErgoGrip line of knives with the addition of antibacterial properties incorporated into the handle.

    

The Advantages Of SaniGrip Knives

1. Permanent, durable antibacterial protection right from the start

2. Contributes to hygienic safety in working areas

3. Protects on a natural basis, hygienically faultless and durable. Inhibits the growth of bacteria and kills them

4. Polished, stable blade, cutting edge checked by laser

5. Balanced hardness, significantly less material consumption

6. Safety due to finger protection and thumb support as well as rounded knife backs

7. Knife lies comfortably in the hand, thus precise handling and improved efficiency

8. High quality knife alloy and material compositions

The new SaniGrip knife series is the result of an intensive exchange of information between research and practice. Friedr. Dick uses trendsetting technology for the highest hygiene and strived-for EU standards. These knives are equipped with an antibacterial active ingredient in the knife handle.     

As opposed to germ-killing chemical substances (e.g. triclosan), this active ingredient works in a natural way. Precious metals provide safe protection and only work where desired; they are food-safe. This effective prophylaxis guarantees additional safety in the production chain and at the place of work.     

The antibacterial active ingredient in the handle material offers additional hygienic protection and prevents cross-contamination and re-infection via the hand. This inhibits bacteria or their breeding on the knife handle, thus leading to the bacterial cultures dying off. The permanent, durable protection is integrated in the knife handle during production.     

The Premier Plus Series    

Premier Plus 6 Inch Forged Chef's Knife

Premier Plus 6 Inch Forged Chef's Knife

The craftmanship, balance and the edge of the Premier Plus Line of professional chef’s knives is unsurpassed. Made in Germany, Premier Plus knives are hand-forged from high-carbon stainless steel and taper ground, resulting in a knife that holds its edge much longer than any other.     

Particularly worthy of note is the sophisticated design of the handle. A special manufacturing technique results in the blade and the handle being so tightly linked that not even the finest crack or gap is left. Unlike traditional knives with a handle housing, it is impossible for food residue or liquids to penetrate. As is standard with the Friedrich Dick company, each finished knife of the Premier Plus series is sharpened and honed by hand. Cutting becomes an experience – this is something you can expect from Friedr. Dick Corp.  

Premier Plus: The Sum Of Many Clever Details

1. You can tell the forged knife by its bolster, the thickening between the blade and the handle, and by its continuous tang. Premier Plus was developed for ideal balance, edge retention and ergonomic properties. 

2. The stable back of the blade is used for fine gristle, for example, but also for breaking seafood shells. 

3. Small vegetables can be cut and minced with the front section of the blade. 

4. The curved blade design is ideal for both rocking cuts and slicing. This blade section allows cutting of almost all food materials.

6. The back section of the blade is used for cutting tough and difficult materials, as it allows easy application of force.                       

7. The wide blade side is also used for flattening and shaping prepared food. It also provides sufficient space between the hand on the handle and the cutting board.

View our line of F. Dick knives at www.butchersupply.net     

jes..     

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Leggs Old Plantation Seasonings March 27th, 2009

jsummers
Leggs Old Plantation SeasoningsOne of our best selling product lines is Legg’s Old Plantation Seasonings. These seasonings are of excellent quality and are easy to use. They are perfect for the home processor or the small producer. Old Plantation seasonings are packaged to correctly season 25 pounds of product.
 
A. C. Legg, Inc. was founded in 1923 and has enjoyed success in the spice and food business. The success of the company has been built on Quality, Consistency and Service. These ideals have proved an integral part of the survival and continued growth of Old Plantation Seasonings. Old Plantation Seasoning Blends and Marinades are designed and packaged for processors who manufacture smaller amounts of product. “Sausage seasonings are our specialty, there’s none better!” From American classics like true “Southern-style” pork sausage to international flavors like smokled Polish sausage and mild or hot Italian sausage.
 
 

OLD PLANTATION SEASONING BLENDS

PORK SAUSAGE Blend #10
Our most popular sausage seasoning. A true “Southern Style” seasoning. It has relatively high level of sage, red pepper and black pepper. Some red pepper is crushed to be visible in the finished product.

PORK SAUSAGE Blend #6
Similiar to Blend #10, but contains slightly less black pepper and no crushed red pepper.

PORK SAUSAGE Blend #7
A mild pork sausage seasoning that contains red pepper, sage and black pepper

PORK SAUSAGE NO SAGE Blend #NS4
A  pork sausage seasoning that contains no sage

PORK SAUSAGE HOT Blend #109
A Hot Pork sausage seasoning.

MAPLE FLAVORED BREAKFAST SEASONING Blend #8
A favorite with all age groups.

 SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE Blend #101
Contains just the right proportions of black pepper, fennel and sugar to produce a slightly sweet flavor.

MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE Blend #102
Contains the spices necessary to produce a mild yet “full-flavored” Italian sausage.

HOT ITALIAN SAUSAGE Blend #103
Contains some crushed red pepper to give a little extra zing.

SMOKED POLISH KIELBASA Blend #106
Contains white pepper, coriander and garlic powder in a combination that will give an authentic Polish flavor.

FRESH POLISH KIELBASA Blend #108
Contains the same spice blend as our Smoked Polish Kielbasa seasoning.

CAJUN STYLE SAUSAGE Blend #110
Contains red pepper, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder and garlic powder for a spicy, cajun flavor.

CHORIZO SAUSAGE Blend #111
An ethnic sausage seasoning used to produce a chorizo with full flavor, but not too hot.

SUMMER SAUSAGE Blend #114
A new favorite with everyone! Our seasoning blend is sure to be a hit.

FAJITA RUB SEASONING Blend #123
Perfect for beef and chicken fajitas.

BOLOGNA/FRANKFURTER Blend #125
Everyone will love this blend, which produces “old-fashioned” bologna or frankfurters.

JERKY SEASONING Traditional Flavor Blend #131
Our best selling jerky seasoning. A blend of spices that enhances the natural flavor.

TERIYAKI JERKY SEASONING Blend #134
Increasingly popular sweet soy based blend for jerky.

MESQUITE MARINADE Blend #142
Southwestern flavor that is gaining popularity throughout the country.

BUFFALO WING MARINADE Blend #148
Outstanding for appetizers! This zesty marinade will season up to 50 lbs. of wings.

jes..
 
 

 

 

 

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Food Safety March 1st, 2009

jsummers

The importance of good sanitation in food handling and processing areas can not be over stated. The CDC estimates that 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur annually in the United States with about 5000 cases resulting in death.

Food can become contaminated very easily if we’re not careful. The three general categories of potential hazards are physical, chemical, and biological.

Physical contamination occurs when foreign objects such as dirt, hair, paint chips, rocks, bone, metal or glass come in contact and are mixed with food. Reduce the potential for physical contamination by keeping food contact surfaces clean, washing hands before and after handling foods, and keeping ingredients covered.

Chemical contamination occurs when chemicals like cleaning products, pesticides, naturally occurring toxins, toxic metals, or even additives to which some people are allergic are introduced into the food product. 

Utensils and equipment that contain toxic metals can cause toxic metal poisoning. Examples include the lead in pewter pitchers, the copper in a kettle, or the zinc in a galvanized bucket or tub.  Minimize the potential for chemical contamination by storing and preparing foods using only equipment and utensils made of food grade material.

Biological contamination includes contamination by bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeasts, and molds. The most common hazards that we associate with meat and poultry products are Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli bacteria, and the parasite that causes Trichinosis. 

Salmonella and Campylobacter are thought to be the two most common bacteria that cause illness in foods.  Salmonella is most commonly associated with poultry, eggs, and beef while Campylobacter is associated primarily with poultry and water contaminated with the bacteria.

caqmpylobacterjejuni

Campylobacter jejuni

 

salmonella

Salmonella

E. coli is a foodborne pathogen that can be found in red meat and red meat products. There are over 700 serotypes of E. coli identified. The E. coli serotypes that are responsible for foodborne illness in humans produce Shiga toxin. E. coli was first recognized in 1982 during an outbreak associated with the consumption of contaminated hamburgers. E. coli O157:H7 is responsible for the majority of human E. coli related illness but there are other Shiga toxin producing serotypes as well.

E. coli 0157:H7

E. coli 0157:H7

Trichinella spiralis is a parasitic intestinal nematode that infects humans through the consumption of undercooked meat causing trichinosis (or trichinellosis), a potentially life threatening illness. Trichinella spiralis is carried by carnivorous/ omnivorous animals such as rats, pigs, and bears. Trichinella spiralis is killed at 137° F.

Trichinella spiralis

Trichinella spiralis

Biological hazards are usually associated with the animal’s intestinal tract and contaminate the food during processing. Biological hazards can be controlled by:

  • Monitoring and maintaining proper temperatures in storage and processing environments. The Temperature Danger Zone as defined by the National Restaurant Association is between 41°F. and 135° F. FSIS defines the Danger Zone as between 40° F and 140° F so you can take your pick but foodborne microorganisms favor this temperature range with 80° F to 105° F being optimal. Fresh meats should be held in the cooler at temperatures below 40° F. I like cooler temperatures from 28° F. to 35° F. which will help control bleeding and purge. It is worth noting here that bacteria can double their numbers:
    • Every 20 hours at 32° F
    • Every 6 hours at 40° F
    • Every 2 hours at 60° F
    • Every hour at 70° F
    • Every 1/2 hour at 90° F
    • At human body temperature, 98.6° F, bacteria can double up to 3 times per hour.
  • Preventing cross contamination. Cross-contamination is the physical movement or transfer of harmful bacteria from one person, object or place to another. Prevent cross contamination by:
    • Keeping raw foods and processed foods seperated. In the cooler store processed product on upper shelves and raw product on lower shelves.
    • Clean and sanitize knives, utensils, and cutting surfaces between uses.
    • Never move boxes or containers that may have been stored on the floor onto food contact surfaces.
  • Always keeping equipment, floors, and food contact surfaces clean and sanitized.

We’ve touched on a few highlights regarding food safety and I hope to have some more in depth articles as we move along.

Constructive comments and questions are welcome!

Jes..

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Southern Indiana Butcher Blog February 14th, 2009

jsummers

Welcome to the Southern Indiana Butcher blog. I’m starting this blog so I can share some of the things I’ve learned over the years about meat cutting, processing, sausage making, smoking, and meat merchandising. So, here we go.. 

First of all I suppose an introduction is in order…

I have 28 years meat handling and processing experience. I have extensive experience cutting and merchandising at the retail level. I’ve worked in processing plants, and retail markets. In 1986 I created Summers Sausage Company which gave me more opportunity to experiment with seasonings, techniques, and processes. Summers Sausage Company was a small custom shop specializing in wild game processing and operated for over 20 years. I also helped run a Smokehouse BBQ restaurant for a couple of years where I was acting manager and pitmaster.

I’ve gone from all that to creating Southern Indiana Butcher Supply located in Lamar Indiana. Southern Indiana Butcher Supply stocks butcher and boning knives, band saw blades, sausage seasonings and casings, smokehouse, and meat packing supplies. Visit us at www.butchersupply.net

Jesse Summers

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