INGREDIENTS:
Fresh pimiento peppers (or other variety of mild capsicum)
Smoking wood chips i.e. hickory or oak
METHOD:
1. Clean and dry cold smoking unit and smoking vessel (no chemicals).
2. Connect air lines to the unit:
a) Check baffle (round barrel with multiple holes inside the unit) is clear and matches up with both holes on the base (air intake and ignition holes).
b) Ensure all fittings are clear and fitted tightly.
c) Connect the two shorter air tubes to the air pump.
d) Connect the longer air tube to the top of the unit.
e) Fill unit 1/3 full with wood chips (ensure baffle is covered with wood chips).
f) Turn pump on (maximum flow).
3. Add peppers to the smoking vessel:
a) Wash, dry, halve and de-seed peppers. Dry peppers as much as possible.
b) Place the peppers directly onto clean racks inside smoking vessel.
c) Close smoking vessel (and close air vents).
4. Light the unit:
a) Remove lid from unit.
b) Light propane torch burner and insert the burner tip into the air intake hole (angled upwards into the unit). Keep lit for 60 seconds after thick white smoke appears at the top of the unit.
c) Insert the lit burner tip into the opposite hole for 20-30 seconds. Turn burner off.
d) Put lid onto unit.
e) Insert smoke outlet tube into the smoking vessel.
f) Wait 2-3 minutes for the smoking vessel to fill with smoke.
g) Turn pump down (low to medium flow).
5. Smoke peppers in the smoking vessel:
a) Smoke peppers for 30-60 minutes in a small smoking vessel (or 60-90 minutes in a large (200L) smoking vessel). Turn peppers over every 15 minutes if they are on a solid plate in the smoking vessel. NOTE: smoking time provided is for Aussie Smoke Bloke cold smoke generators – other cold smoking units will take longer, adjust time as required according to your manual.
b) Add a handful of wood chips as required (agitation may also be needed).
c) Turn unit off once finished.
d) Remove peppers from the smoking vessel.
e) Dehydrate smoked peppers in the sun or in a dehydrator until completely dry.
f) Vacuum pack dried smoked peppers for long-term storage in bags or jars. Label and date.
g) Store whole dried smoked peppers in a cool, dark and dry place for up to 6 months. Powdered smoked paprika will keep for several weeks at room temperature but has the best flavour when freshly ground.
6. Clean unit and smoking vessel:
a) Turn unit upside down and remove any wood chip residue.
b) Clean chamber and brass tube with water if required.
c) Re-tighten any fittings if required.
d) Clean smoking vessel with warm soapy water and wipe dry.
HOW TO USE SMOKED PAPRIKA:
A little goes a long way! Don’t use too much smoked paprika in your dishes – the smoked flavour can overpower your food. Whole smoked peppers can be added directly into sauces and stews or finely ground and added to meat and vegetable dishes. Unsure on the amount of smoked paprika to use in your food? Start out with half a teaspoon to one teaspoon of smoked paprika powder to add a lovely smoky aroma and flavour.
QUICK ALTERNATIVE:
Want smoked paprika ready in under an hour? The closest you’ll get is to cold-smoke paprika powder (sweet/Hungarian paprika) for 30-60 minutes. Pour the powder onto a plate or dish as thin a layer as possible (i.e. less than 1cm) and stir every 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container and use within a few months.
TRADITIONAL METHOD: HOT SMOKED PAPRIKA
Wash, dry, halve and de-seed peppers. Place the peppers onto the wire rack/s over the fire or in the hot smoker unit. Add wood chips as required (refer to your manual for directions).
TIP: smoking ribs? Place the ribs into the hot smoker and then fill the rest of the unit with the prepared pepper halves. Smoke for the time required for the meat (i.e. 8 hours or so), remove meat when it’s ready and turn the hot smoker off. Leave peppers in the hot smoker (turned off) until the next morning. Then finish smoked peppers by sun-drying or dehydrating if required (usually only needed if the peppers are very thick/big).
Aussie Smoke Bloke www.aussiesmokebloke.com
