Sweet & Peppery Jerky "sludge"

For meat or fish. This mixture will be very grainy and stiff. It liquifies somewhat overnight. My husband and I have been experimenting with this for the past 3 weekends, and this is the recipe we're sticking with! We have done trout and venison, and have used the smoker and the dehydrator. We do very large batches of jerky and store in the freezer in vacume packs. If you like spicy, add the optional red pepper flakes! Cooking time does not reflect the marinating time.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs  lean meat or 1 1⁄2 lbs  fish
• 1  lb brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup salt
• 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
• 1⁄3 cup  teriyaki sauce, cooking sauce (such as Yoshida's)
• 4  tablespoons coarse black pepper
• 1  tablespoon garlic powder
• 1  tablespoon onion powder
• 1  tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

1. In large bowl combine all ingredients until thoroughly mixed. This will build muscle! (I use my stand mixer.).
2. Slice meat thinly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Fillet trout, leaving skin on. If using beef, it is easier to slice thinly while still partially frozen.
3. Smoosh a thin layer of the sugar mixture into bottom of a baking dish and lay meat slices or fish fillets over.
4. Keep layering, ending with the last of the sugar mixture. Don't worry if all the meat isn't completely covered. The marinade will liquify somewhat overnight.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, 12 hours.
6. Next day rinse meat very lightly, just to get the chunks off, leaving a sugary glaze.
7. FOR DEHYDRATOR:
8. Place meat on trays and dehydrate 160* for approximately 6 hours, checking for desired doneness at about 5 hours.
9. FOR SMOKER:
10. Allow meat to dry and form the pellicle uncovered in the refrigerator for approximately 2 - 4 hours.
11. Place in smoker and smoke for approximately 4 hours, checking for desired doneness at about 3 hours.