Doin It Doin It Doin It

Genoa Salami is the favorite in my house. We just can't seem to get enough of it and it's the first to go before ham and chicken and turkey breast cold cuts.
It seems to be a very popular salami because as opposed to pepperoni, which we can buy as a whole salami for 4.99 , Genoa goes for over 10 dollars and even 15.00.

I made a few whole salamis a long while back but today I am finding a hard time finding beef casings.
They are usually sold in butcher shops for sausages, since butchers like to make their own sausages and therefore they are much smaller than what you would need for a 3 inch diameter salami. I found sausages do not need curing or casings since they taste the same from the freezer when you fry them and you can make them in any shape you like. lol
For Genoa,
You would need the following ingredients and usually two people for stuffing them.


5 pounds Beef chuck, round or shank
3 pounds Lean pork butt, cubed
2 pounds Pork fat, cubed
5 tablespoons Salt
1 cup Brandy, good quality
1 1/2 tablespoon Sugar
2 tablespoons Whole peppercorns
1 tablespoon Ground white pepper
1 teaspoon Coriander seed-finely ground
2 teaspoons Garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon Cardamom
1/2 teaspoon Ascorbic acid
1 teaspoon Saltpeter
4 Feet large beef casings
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The beef and pork and fat are ground separately coursely then mixed together and chilled in the fridge for half an hour. Then you regrind it again through a smaller grinder disk.
Then the other ingredients are added and mixed my hand after which you put it into the refrigerator in a plastic bag and let it marinate in the seasonings overnight. (24 hrs)

Then you need a nozzle to place on your grinder and the casings need to be a little wet so they slide over the nozzle. You tie one end then you place the meat into the grinder and grind it into the the casings tightly packing the meat inside with no bubbles.
If you get casings 4 ft long this should make 4 salamis.
After each foot you tie the casing off and continue to the next foot.
After you tie them off and cut them and have 4 separate salamis, its a good idea to roll them and smooth them to get rid of any trapped air pockets.

It takes 8-12 weeks to hang dry the salami but then you will have something really good that will take a while to eat and once you get good at it, they make for great presents for family and close friends. :)

I covered mine with cloth and hung them off the ceiling in the garage. This way they stayed
clean and out of the way. If you have a basement that is good too.

:)

Now this is interesting. Zodiac Sign changes. Think you are a Libra? Nope. You are a Virgo. Signs changed to one month back. But most people decided they will stay what they are. lol Video is found at address below http://rah.posterous.com/new-zodiac-sign-2012

Would Our Kids Be Proud?

Our world. Our Cities. Our People.
Where are we going wrong?
Is this Christmas?

Are we sending the wrong message?

Watch this.








Makes you want to cry doesn't it.

Fish and a Soap Bag

This is an interesting project to do with your child for Christmas.


It uses glycerin soap a little fish and a plastic bag. You melt the soap and fill the bag with it and add a rubber or plastic fish. Then just use a twist tie or ribbon and you have a very inexpensive present to give your favorite children or grand children. It's also a project you can enjoy doing alongside with your child.
I guess one could also use some other water creature like an octopus or shrimp but I think goldfish are favored.
Kids would have fun taking a bath with their pet soap.

The View showed so many new toys that even excited me. lol
Little push tummy toys where the toy opened its mouth and showed teeth and tongue.
Action figures with real people faces.
Marionettes kids could build and slap watches which seem to be a lot of fun.
They also showed a kit set where kids could use special saws and hammer nails.
Really cool stuff.
And a digital scrabble set.
Now even I want to take a romp in the Toys R Us Stores to see all these new things.

These were all under 50 dollar toys and the push tummy toy was only $12.00

Well enjoy your day everyone.

The Craftster's corner

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Britain's Got Talent ( This will bring a smile.)

Baby Sweater

This also came out quite nice in matt and shiny
white thread. The pom poms were made out of
a tan shade to give it some contrast.
It is gorgeous and I am so happy with it.
It is hard to take pictures though.
I still need to put a few buttons.
:)