Baloney bloom

[willsands]

I believe that it was here on Amazing Ribs that I saw blooming baloney mentioned. A brief YouTube search revealed the procedure that I modified to produce my version of Blooming Baloney Burnt Ends. In the video a small chunk of wood was placed under the crosshatched baloney chunk to encourage it to "bloom". I spent a few minutes in the shop to turn a "baloney mandrel" (admittedly, a uni-tasker) which lends more support and shape for the baloney chunk. Wrapping the mandrel in a square of foil keeps it clean and prevents burning. Placing the mandrel/baloney on a small cooling rack allows easy movement of the assembly.





To cut the crosshatch pattern on the baloney, I placed a chopstick on either side of the chunk to gauge and limit the cuts.

I placed the baloney chunk on the mandrel to open it up, brushed it with chili oil, added a rub, and placed it on the pellet smoker at 300°.





I removed the baloney from the smoker after ~45 minutes when it was done to my liking. This makes a novel and tasty snack when served with a variety of BBQ and/or Dipping sauces.

[fzxdoc]

OMG how cool is that. Thanks!

I like the use of Fly by Jing's Zhong sauce. Good call. I bet that was tasty.

Kathryn

[willsands]

A tube of Ritz crackers, hot pepper rings, and a chunk of good baby Swiss from the Amish country cheese shop, all washed down with a new, to me, American Wheat Ale made for a nice lunch.

[Steve R.]

Smoked baloney is so underrated. Thanks for sharing this!

[LA Pork Butt]

It isn’t particularly healthy, but I think Spam is underrated, too.

[RonB]

Well done!

[Jfrosty27]

Love it! I need to make one of those. I have a wood shop so easy peasy. What are the approximate dimensions please?

[willsands]

The scale in the photo is 6 inches. The mandrel is ~ 5" dia X 1½" tall. That chunk of baloney was ~ 5¼ dia. I didn't measure the radius, just turned until it looked like a baloney mandrel.

[bbqLuv]

All the above, plus
I would pair that with PBR

[willsands]

I used to drink PBR when I was a teenager. That was a long time ago. Maybe I'll find a sixpack of PBR and it will make me young again.

[fzxdoc]

For the block, most You Tube videos just use a small 1.5" x 1.5" chunk of wood. I'm thinking of using one of the ceramic spacers, wrapped in foil, that I use to hold the drip pan when in kamado mode with my WSCGC.

Kathryn

[willsands]

I found the small block didn't provide the necessary support to allow the baloney to bloom evenly. Maybe your spacer will work better. Do you have a VW hubcap in your junk drawer?

[smokin fool]

Probably any dog dish wheel cover would work

[willsands]

Probably have to search for an older and smaller hubcap made of metal. I believe that most new wheel covers are chrome plated plastic.
I just realized that a ceramic bowl with the proper radius might work well.

[bbqLuv]

Now I am Totally confused. Baloney or Bologna. What is the correct blooming spelling?
Never-the-less, I got try that!

[willsands]

Don't have an opinion for the spelling question. Either way, we all know what we are discussing and agree that it's good stuff, no matter the label.

[LA Pork Butt]

I have a BGE and they come with a ceramic cap that I never use. It has a button like handle on the top. You have thinking that it might work as a mandrel and open up the baloney even more. I will have to give it a try since I have been meaning to smoke some baloney for a while now.

[willsands]

Yes, I have a Green Egg with the ceramic cap that is used to smother the lump. Mine has a knob rising above the cap. I don't believe that that profile would support the baloney as a properly radiused base. A couple of layers of heavy foil draped over the cap/knob and tucked under before adding the baloney might help the situation. I haven't tried that setup.

[LA Pork Butt]

willsands Ihave MiniMax BGE which might work better since the cap is smaller. I like the foil idea.

[DTro]

Very cool!

[Michael_in_TX]

That is outstanding. Presentation off the charts!

[Dadof3Illinois]

That looks so cool!!! I made Baloney burnt ends for a graduation party and they were a huge hit!!

[Chuck in Charlotte]

My last attempt at smoked bologna was just OK, I think a better tasting chub would have made a big difference. Looking in the deli cases there are many different kinds... German, kosher, lebanon, kunzler,etc. Any advice on the best bologna to use for smoking?

[willsands]

WunderBar, Kahn's, and Russer are the brand names that I prefer in my area. I tend to favor the all meat over all beef varieties. I believe that most delis will give out small tasting samples to help folks decide what they prefer. Also, I find that the price is not a reliable indicator of what I prefer.

[jhapka]

National flower of the USA?

[willsands]

Maybe we should petition for that. Blooming baloney does have many favorable attributes.

[rlozinak]

Will need to try some of that