Whether you are looking to wow your Labor Day guests with smoked meats or preserve summer’s bounty by smoking the season’s vegetables, Charlotte Pike shows us how easy it is to hot and cold smoke foods at home.
Smoking foods can feel primitive or complicated, but regardless of your feeling towards it, the result is something so delicious we couldn’t stay away from Charlotte Pike’s new cookbook Smoking Hot and Cold: Techniques and Recipes for Meat, Seafood, Dairy and Vegetables from the Smoker. Smoking not only flavors foods, but also is a complete cooking process and can preserve foods for longer, hence it has been used as a technique around the globe for thousands of years.
Hot smoking takes place at 140 to 222 degrees Fahrenheit and completely or partially cooks the item that is being smoked. Cold smoking takes a bit longer at 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, without cooking the food, but rather by slowly drying it out. The best news is you don’t necessarily need big, fancy outdoor equipment to smoke using either method. The cookbook details large, outdoor smokers, small stovetop smokers, and even how to make a simple smoker using two metal trashcans. 
When we think of smoking, we first thing of slated and smoked fish and meat, but it goes way beyond that. While first chapter of the book is indeed an extensive chapter on hot and cold smoked seafood, it continues on to dairy, meats, vegetables and salt. There’s even a recipe for smoked fudge! The smoked onions, garlic and corn really caught our attention as great new ways to showcase the harvest we are pulling out our gardens.
Below are a few of our favorite seasonal ideas from the book and a recipe for smoked corn fritters.
Cold smoked cheeses including mozzarella, ricotta, cheddar and Roquefort.
Smoked sausage or pølse, a Danish hot dog.
Smoked Butter Fudge
Smoked Sweet Corn Fritters
Print
Smoked Corn Fritters
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Sweet corn gets a smoky twist in these savory fritters. Perfect for brunch or a light lunch.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups (296 ml) self-rising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 extra-large egg (beaten)
- 2 1/2 cups (591 ml) smoked corn kernels—about 2 to 3 cobs (recipe below)
- 3 scallions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 6 whole corn cobs (husks on or off)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons maple or mesquite wood chips
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker with the wood chips inside to 200°F (93°C).
- Add the corn and smoke for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the husks are as smoky as desired.
- For the Fritters:
- Sift the flour, salt, cumin, and paprika into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the beaten egg and ½ cup water and whisk to form a thick batter.
- Stir in the corn and scallions.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large nonstick frying pan and heat over medium to high heat.
- Swirl the pan to ensure the oil is evenly distributed.
- Preheat oven to 220°F (104°C).
- Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture per fritter into the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until rich brown.
- Work in batches and avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Transfer fritters to a baking pan lined with parchment paper and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.
Notes
- For a smokier flavor, soak the wood chips in water for 30 minutes before adding them to the smoker.
- If you don’t have self-rising flour, substitute all-purpose flour and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
- These fritters are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in a non-stick pan or oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Brunch
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 fritters
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the temperature range for hot smoking according to the recipe?
The temperature range for hot smoking is between 140 to 222 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use a stovetop smoker for cold smoking as mentioned in the cookbook?
Yes, the cookbook details how to use a stovetop smoker for cold smoking, which takes place at 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
What types of foods can I smoke using the techniques in this recipe?
You can smoke a variety of foods including seafood, meats, dairy, vegetables, and even make smoked fudge.
