Zesty Smoked Links Recipes

Steps:

• If you're using sausage casings, the day before you plan to stuff the sausage, rinse the casings under cold water inside and out. Prepare a solution of 1 cup water to 1 capful of cider vinegar. Soak the casings in the solution overnight.
• In a large bowl, mix the pork with the garlic, sage, parsley, salt, fennel, oregano, thyme, pepper, and cayenne. Stir. If using casings, mix in the ice water if the meat mixture is too dry to stuff into the casings.
• Stuff the sausage mixture into the casings or make into loaves, sticks, or patties. If you're making sticks, links, or logs, it helps to use plastic wrap to form the meat into the desired shape. Hang stuffed casings for at least an hour in a cool, dry place and then refrigerate at least overnight but for no more than 5 days before using. Sticks, links, or logs can be cooked immediately.
• You can fry, smoke, or grill the sausage as desired.

Steps:

• Bring brisket to room temperature early in the morning, about 1 hour.
• Whisk paprika, salt, sugar, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon for dry rub together in a small bowl. Apply rub liberally to the complete brisket and leave at room temperature while you prepare the smoker.
• Preheat a smoker for indirect heat to 225 to 250 degrees F (107 to 121 degrees F) according to manufacturer's instructions. Add wood chips to the charcoal and place a small cast iron pan of water over the fire.
• Lay brisket, fat-side up, about 8 inches away from the fire and smoke for 1 hour, maintaining the smoker's internal temperature at 200 to 225 degrees F (93 to 107 degrees F). Add 12 to 15 charcoal briquettes, replenish wood chips, and add more water to the pan; smoke for 1 more hour. Wrap brisket in aluminum foil, replenish charcoal, wood chips, and water, and smoke for 1 more hour.
• Meanwhile, mix hot chili sauce, beer, brown sugar, and onion for finishing sauce until well combined. Remove brisket from the smoker and place on a second sheet of aluminum foil. Unwrap brisket, being careful of the hot steam, and pour finishing sauce over the meat. Re-wrap brisket tightly with both pieces of foil and return to the smoker.
• Smoke brisket, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 1 more hour.
• Remove brisket from the smoker and let it rest in the foil for 45 minutes. To serve, slice it against the grain.