We get quite a bit of seafood here in Florida and I have used this brine on Grouper and Mahi Mahi.  However, there is nothing quite like the flavor of smoked salmon.  I smoke it in my Big Green Egg using charcoal and two chunks of Alligator Juniper [props to my friend, Eddie in Arizona].    Brining will take from six to twelve hours, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Salmon over one inch thick should brine for eight to twelve hours. For thinner salmon, six to eight hours is fine.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds salmon filets
• 1 quart water
• 8 oz soy sauce
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup honey
• 1 large clove garlic crushed
• ¼ cup salt
• ¼ cup old bay
• 1 tsp pepper 

Method: 

I guess I could combine this recipe with two what I’m digging…because I sure do dig my Big Green Egg and I sure dig the alligator juniper wood smokiness. I’ll just post this recipe and in another blog entry will fawn all over post more information about my BGE and the alligator juniper. I like making pork loins on the BGE because they come out so moist and tender and smokey.

The Rub
6 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons hershey’s cocoa
2 tablespoons chipotle
2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon garlic powder

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Spicy Beef Jerky

1.5 pounds flank steak or London broil

Marinade:

1 cup beef broth

¼ cup salt

¼ cup molasses

¾ cup brown sugar

¼ cup honey

2 tsps garlic powder

2 tsp chipotle powder

2 tsp cayenne pepper

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5 pound turkey breast

Brine:
4 quarts of water
1 cup of salt
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dry mustard

Rub:
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cayenne pepper
3 tsp paprika
1 tsp dry mustard

1. Mix brine ingredients in large bag - I used one of those turkey baking bags
2. Place turkey in bag, seal bag
3. Let turkey marinate at least 12 hours.4. Remove the turkey from the bag and place on smoker roasting rack/pan.
5. Put 4 cups of the brine in bottom of roasting pan
6. Mix all rub ingredients together and rub generously all over the turkey.7. Smoke!