I need a pepperoni stick recipe!

[dogtuk]

giving the stix a cold water bath or shower will keep the stix plump if you pull them from the smoker and let them sit on the counter to cool a few hours they will get the wrinkly look of stix

[hogslayer]

Thanks dogtuk.  I wonder what i could use to replace the dry milk powder?  Is it just for retaining moisture in the sticks? 

[dogtuk]

Yes the powdered milk is just a binder for retaining moisture you can skip it I usually do you could also use soy protien does the same thing as the powder milk

[Ballance1]

Hawgdog what is letting them bloom?  I want the wrinkled look so I should not hose them off? What if it is 25 degrees out? Let cool off outside or leave out on counter to cool. Again I am looking for the shriveled up snack stick

[dogtuk]

Blooming the sausage gives you the dark rich color of smoked sausages I just bring them in the house after removing from the smoker and let them cool on the counter

[Hawgdawg]

Blooming the sausage gives you the dark rich color of smoked sausages I just bring them in the house after removing from the smoker and let them cool on the counter

  In addition, I like the idea of cold water shower to stop, slow the cooking process. I like my pep sticks to be a little moist and not that dried up cardboard stuff you can get by the cash register at most convenience stores. Why I ask to refrigerate if not eating all. As mind would be border line for shelf stable.