This is our journal of what we pray is our sojourn of life (Hebrews 11:8-10) along the narrow way (Matthew 7:14), even the old paths (Jeremiah 6:16), submitting to the Bible as a light unto both (Psalms 119:105). It is our prayer that these documented moments in our earthly time benefit whom God might choose to edify, but ultimately that God glorifies Himself through them.

Meat Dryer – Update I

In a previous blog post, I showed a meat dryer I had put together. This was for the purpose of brining and drying meat as a method of food preservation that didn’t require freezing or canning. We are always looking for ways to do this, as freezers and canners require dependence on the world systems for continuing supplies (fuel, electricity, parts, etc.).

The final picture of that blog post showed meat from one of our Longhorn bulls that had been butchered hanging and drying.

After a few weeks, at which time the meat looked about dry, I had collected the meat off of the dryer and put it in a plastic bucket and covered it, just as a place to contain it as I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it (we’ve never processed meat like this before, you know 🙂 ). Well, since it was in plastic, which doesn’t breathe, I was a little worried that moisture, which is a seedbed for bacteria, had got in the bucket perhaps; and so I put the pieces back on the dryer again for a couple more weeks (they probably didn’t need to hang that long — I sort of just left them out there). This actually seemed to dry them out further.

And then, all that was left, was to try out the goods! We soaked them in water for 24 hours, as after 12 hours the meat still wasn’t very pliable. Even after 24 hours, they weren’t much more softened; but I didn’t want to leave them out in the open in water like that too much longer for fear of bacterial growth, although the water was probably somewhat salty, which perhaps would have prevented any problems:

Meat Dryer Dried Meat Soaking in Water

And then I cooked them on the grill:

Meat Dryer Dried Meat on Grill

And here they are all cooked:

Meat Dryer Dried Meat Cooked and Ready

And here is the meal that Sue prepared for it:

Meat Dryer Dried Meat Ready to be Eaten

Drum roll please….

Well, obviously by the fact that I’m writing this, we didn’t die, which we thought was a plus on the whole experiment. 🙂 (Did I mention we’ve never preserved meat like this before, and being so colonized in our thinking that things MUST be frozen to keep, it was hard not to worry.)

At any rate, it was a little dry and a little tough to chew, but just tasted like well-done steak. It wasn’t salty, was certainly palatable, and except for the chewiness, was pretty good actually.

It did seem to stop up “the system” a little, but shortly things “moved” along as normal.

All in all, it wasn’t too bad, for meat that had never been processed the way the world says to do it. Perhaps we’ll try soaking it in a meat-tenderizing marinade the next time, Lord willing. Anyone have any recipes?

We are very grateful to the Lord for granting the knowledge of this food preservation method; His creation that graciously allows for the survival of man (eg. salt killing bacteria); His granting of a successful experiment in living according to His order of things; and for this step away from the world, we pray, as unto Him, for His glory.

— David

5 Comments

  1. Ernest

    Congratulations! I too worry excessively about things like bacterial growth. My ancestors survived doing things this way (they must have or I wouldn't be here) so I don't know why I feel I must excessively cook or freeze meat products that I know have been done properly according to the old ways.

    I wonder how that meat would service cut up into small chunks across the grain and served up in a stew with carrots and onions? The stewing process might rehydrate it better and soften the meat somewhat.

    I'd repeat the process in as many novel ways as you can come up with. Eating is fun. 🙂

  2. *

    Happy that you are alive after that experiment und you so found a new method!

    Greetings from the snow
    Cara

  3. David and Susan Sifford

    Hi Ernest,

    Ah, that sounds like a pretty good idea…thanks! We'll have to keep that in mind for the next time, Lord willing.

    And thank you very much, Cara.

    Thank you both for saying hello.

    — David

  4. imawakenow

    I have read about papaya and pineapple being used as natural tenderizers. They both contain papain which has an enzymatic effect on the collagen. The collagen is what holds the fibers of muscle together. Don't know know if you can grow or obtain papaya in central Texas, but thought it might be worth a try. You can also buy papain powder, but that wouldn't be off off grid. 😉

    Thanks for sharing all of your experiences.

    Whit

  5. David and Susan Sifford

    Hi Whit,

    Thank you for the info, and for taking the time to offer it.

    Maybe we'll have a pineapple stew! 🙂

    — David

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