Approximating Vermont Smoke & Cure pepperoni

[pizzaneer]

Since it will be a cold day in Hell before my wife lets me buy a $7 stick of pepperoni and pay $8 shipping in addition,  I thought I would ask for suggestions.  How can I take a regular type of roni stick and give it the flavor of VSC?   I know their website says they are smoked with corncobs and maplewood.  What can I do with this information?  What average-priced roni brand would work?

[R2-Bayou]

I'm not familiar with the VT pepperoni, but I made some peperone based on Ruhlman's technique described here: http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,12584.msg121272.html#msg121272

It came out awesome and was an inexpensive project... (after already the start-up costs of setting up the curing environment)

[norma427]

 What average-priced roni brand would work?

Steve does have Vermont smoked pepperoni, but purchased a different brand at his local supermarket.  I forgot the brand name, but I thought the pepperoni was really good.  It was in a stick before Steve cut it.  Some of the pictures of the pizza with cupped pepperoni that I thought was good is at Reply 4 http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,21121.msg212434.html#msg212434  and some other posts on the same thread.

I will give Steve the link to this thread to see if he comments on what brand of pepperoni that was.

Norma

[Ev]

It was "Carando" brand, a division of Farmland Foods inc, and made in Springfield, Ma.

[deb415611]

It's not the smoke that makes this pepperoni so good, it definitely makes it better but the pepperoni itself is better than any I have ever had. 

[rcbaughn]

Got access to a couple kettle grills? I saw a picture of a setup for cold smoking that used two, a Weber Performer and a small Smokey Joe I think. They run dryer hose from the top vent of the Smokey Joe to the bottom of the Weber Performer and used frozen ice packs to chill the tubing and smoke. The fire was built in the Smokey Joe. I've been wanting to give this a try since I have both of those grills, but haven't figured out anything yet to do it on. Pepperoni may be a good experiment, but it would probably need to be a cool day since you really don't want the pepperoni sitting out in a hot grill all day.

BTW, I emailed VT Smoke and Cure after hearing about it from Craig and they said that the best idea is to find a few people to go in and make a bulk purchase with and shipping would be A LOT cheaper, and they also offered wholesale pricing on it. I forget how much they said it was per stick, but it wasn't much more than $7 shipped if I remember right but I may be wrong.

[pizzaneer]

Actually, Cory, I read your post and tried emailing them myself.  Heard back this AM - nope, not in my area either.  Thus this topic.   I just can't justify that much $ to my CFO.   She is NOT food-focused whatsoever.  As long as the beer, wine, smokes and cat food are ok, she doesn't see the need for anything else.

[Jet_deck]

....  As long as the beer, wine, smokes and cat food are ok, she doesn't see the need for anything else.

Maybe skimp on the cat food for a few weeks? I mean are they really going to complain that much?

If one stick cost $15, you can slice it to make at least 5 pies probably.  It really is worth that $3 per pie to try at least.

Just my $.02

[TXCraig1]

Maybe skimp on the cat food for a few weeks? I mean are they really going to complain that much?

If one stick cost $15, you can slice it to make at least 5 pies probably.  It really is worth that $3 per pie to try at least.

Just my $.02

Easy for you to say when you have me to buy it and bring it to you... 

[TXCraig1]

Have you tried asking a local store(s) to bring it in?

[Jet_deck]

Easy for you to say when you have me to buy it and bring it to you... 

"A friend in need, is a friend in deed".

[mkevenson]

I get it at Murry's Cheese. $10 shipping for 3 sticks. They ship overnight in cold boxes. Excellent stuff and great service. No reason to go back to inferior pepperoni .

60627431521    Pepperoni Stick, Vermont Smoke and Cure3      $23.97   
Ship Via: FEDEX OVERNIGHT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUB TOTAL:    $23.97
TAX:          $0.00
SHIPPING & HAND$10.00    FEDEX OVERNIGHT
ORDER TOTAL:  $33.97

[Chicago Bob]

I have a grocer that works with me pretty good on getting new things in....if I can get him to order this stuff I will let ya'll know and then we can work on me getting some to you. I'll post up here as soon as I know something.Does pepperoni freeze OK?

Cory, in your emailing with VT did they indicate what the size order would need to be to get wholesale prices?
This would prolly be a quicker way to do this than my grocer and I want some of this stuff. 

[rcbaughn]

I deleted the message but he said something like gather up 9 or 10 of your friends and place an order, so I assume it was a pretty large amount. I don't think he would've meant one stick each at least, but maybe.