Cut the meat and the fat into chunks.

Place all ingredients in a large container and mix thoroughly.

Cold meat grinds more easily, so keep the meat refrigerated until ready to grind.

Put the seasoned meat through the meat grinder.

Add 2 litres of pleasantly warm water (the water will evaporate during smoking).

Combine water-spice mixture with meat until thoroughly incorporated.

Remove casings from the refrigerator and knot one end.

Lightly coat the stuffing funnel with cooking spray.

Slip the other end of the casing over the mouth of the funnel.

Continue to push the remainder of the casing up onto the funnel until you have reached the knot.

Begin to force the meat into the casing with one hand while using the other to control the thickness of the sausage as it is extruded.

Remember, the sausage will shrink when it cooks, so you want a nice plump sausage. But be careful you don’t overstuff or the casing will burst.

Keep extruding until the casing is used up. Tie a knot in that end. You can either leave the sausage in a large coil or twist it at 6-inch intervals to make links.

Rest the sausage refrigerated and covered up at least overnight or up to two days before smoking.

Smoke the sausage until the colour turns to a nice red (needs supervision on when that happens). Smoke the links for at least 3 hours, making sure the temperature stays below 85°F (29.4°C). You can smoke the salami for up to 8 hours if you like a really smoky link.