H-06 LIFTOFF
GARLIC GHOST
BEEF CHEEKS.
Beef cheeks smoked until a dark bark develops, then slowly braised with garlic, beef stock and H-06 LIFTOFF until deeply rich and fall-apart tender.
HOW TO MAKE IT
METHOD.
TRIM THE CHEEKS.
Trim away thick surface fat, silver skin and any tough connective tissue from the outside of the beef cheeks. Pat them completely dry with paper towel.
SEASON GENEROUSLY.
Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt. Coat the cheeks lightly with olive oil, then apply the rub evenly over every surface.
PREPARE THE SMOKER.
Set the smoker or covered barbecue for indirect cooking at 110°C. Use clean-burning smoke with oak, pecan or hickory and allow the temperature to stabilise.
BUILD THE BARK.
Place the beef cheeks directly onto the cooking grate. Smoke uncovered for 3–4 hours until the outside has developed a dark, firmly set bark.
BUILD THE BRAISE.
Combine the beef stock, H-06 LIFTOFF, Worcestershire sauce, crushed garlic, brown sugar and thyme in a deep roasting tray. Stir until evenly mixed.
BRAISE UNTIL TENDER.
Transfer the smoked cheeks into the tray. The liquid should come roughly halfway up the meat. Cover tightly with foil or a lid and return to the smoker for another 3–4 hours.
CHECK THE TEXTURE.
Begin checking once the cheeks reach approximately 95°C internally. They are ready when a thermometer probe slides into the thickest section with almost no resistance.
REST AND SERVE.
Rest the cheeks in the braising liquid for 15–20 minutes. Serve them whole or gently pull them apart, then spoon the reduced garlic ghost braising liquid over the top.
HARRY'S TIP
LET THE PROBE DECIDE.
Beef cheeks can reach the right temperature and still feel tight. Keep cooking until the probe slides through them with almost no effort. Tenderness has the final vote.
THE IMPORTANT PART
BRAISE THEM WITH
H-06 LIFTOFF.
Roasted garlic depth and building ghost pepper heat cut through the richness of slow-cooked beef and turn the braising liquid into something worth pouring over everything.
SHOP H-06 LIFTOFF