How To Make Italian Guanciale | Jowl Bacon | Gourmet Woodsman

Cured and aged rather than smoked, guanciale has a depth of flavor like nothing else. It is a staple in most of the classic roman pasta dishes. Pork jowl and pork belly have a similar fat content which is why guanciale is sometimes called jowl bacon. Pancetta (cured pork belly) is easier to find and is commonly used as a substitute but it does not have as complex a flavor as guanciale.
Hot Fennel Guanciale:
pork jowl
2.5% kosher salt
0.25% cure #2
0.25% black pepper
0.25% juniper berries
0.75% fennel seed
0.75% hot calabrian pepper
1.75% brown sugar
1 or 2 bay leaves per jowl
Pepper Forward Guanciale:
pork jowl
2.5% kosher salt
0.25% cure #2
1% coarse ground black pepper
0.5% hot calabrian pepper
1% crushed fresh garlic
0.5% ground coriander
0.1% juniper berries
Sweet Fennel & Anise Guanciale:
pork jowl
2.5% kosher salt
0.25% cure #2
1.75% brown sugar
0.5% crushed black pepper
0.5% crushed fennel seed
0.4% crushed anise seed
0.1% red pepper flakes
0.15% rosemary
0.1% thyme
0.1% juniper berries

[@jimbop4499]

Nice vid mate 👌 Never knew the fat content played a big part in the drying time.
Not had much success with bacon [or sausages!] so far , done ok with dried cured leg joint and salamis.....thinking of getting a small smoker for the balcony now....probably piss the neighbours off.
Oh and thanx for the recipes.

[@gourmetwoodsman]

Thanks again mate! Muscle holds a lot more water than fat so more of the drying is from the muscle, that's why lean cuts like a loin dry faster than fattier cuts.
I could see how a smoker on the balcony might piss off the neighbors! If you just want to cold smoke you could try a smoke tube or a smoke basket, it'd get the job done while creating much less smoke. Might piss off the neighbors less?

[@jimbop4499]

@@gourmetwoodsman I got a smoke tube, need the smoker to contain it lol.
Dont like a lot of smoke, i prefer charcoal flavour on steaks and chops. Gasping for a smokey juicy kielbasa though! 😁

[@OliverCaesar]

Absolute yum.

[@somedayzitzdark7987]

Ron Swanson approved 👌

[@gourmetwoodsman]

hahahaha...lol, love it