This is for all of you bacon lovers out there. I know for some, the concept seems strange. But if you're like me, you've seen the amazing effects and results that bacon can bring! It may be difficult to understand if your passions are derived from other things, but keep in mind as your passions bring you into another world, I'm here to share some people's passion for the globe of bacon. I come at this with a humorous perspective, but can also appreciate (being that I live with a bacon fanatic) all of bacon's seriousness.
Bacon has always been an important part of the typical ideal breakfast. Ask anyone on a Saturday morning what they want for breakfast and bacon is probably mentioned in addition to other things about nine times out of ten. But for the creative bacon fanatic, this can be added to just about any meal!
Morning breakfast memories come to mind when thinking of bacon. It usually meant Saturday mornings sleeping in with the aroma of crisp warm bacon in the air. I have to admit, that this is the typical Saturday morning now at my home. If I didn't have bacon cooking, it would just be assumed that we didn't have any, and that would be a joke! My family has grown to be quite the bacon lovers. This video depicts what is probably the average households view on bacon. Check it out:
The word bacon is derived from the Old High German bacho meaning "buttock", "ham", or "side of bacon". In Europe this part of the pig is not smoked like it is in the United States. It's used mainly in cubes as a cooking ingredient as a source of fat for its flavor. In Italy it's usually cooked in small cubes called pancetta or served uncooked and thinly sliced as part of an antipasto. In the United States it's almost always prepared from pork belly. Bacon can be eaten smoked, boiled, fried, baked or grilled either alone or used as a minor ingredient to flavor dishes.
Bacon and Spinach Quiche
This makes for a great recipe whether you're wanting to serve as breakfast, brunch, or just a snack. Quiche has been a popular dish for hundreds of years. This particular recipe tastes great and gives the opportunity for versatility. This dish is filled with eggs, cream, cheese and bacon, but more ingredients can be added or substituted to your liking. This makes for a great bacon flavored meal! (click here for Bacon Quich recipe)
Bacon Cups
This is a very creative way to present bacon visually! We all know that the flavor of bacon tastes great in a salad. But, have you ever thought of having your salad in the bacon? This is a great reciped for serving as an appetizer at any party or get-together. Plus be guaranteed many compliments! (click here for bacon cups recipe)
Candied Bacon
Ever think you'd see the word candy and bacon used together? This is definitely a "must have" in the earth of bacon. Probably every mans dream. Any bacon lover will go wild over this. A great dish to serve at bruch or a special occassion breakfast!
You'll need:
1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 pound thick-cut pork bacon
In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, slowly cook bacon until bacon is lightly browned on edges but still flexible, turning over once, approximately 5 to 6 minutes total per batch (you'll probably have to do this in batches); drain the fat each time. Remove cooked bacon from the frying pan and place onto paper towels to soak up excess fat.
After draining fat from the frying pan, reduce heat to low and place all the cooked bacon back into frying pan. Drizzle brown sugar and mustard mixture over bacon, tossing with a fork to coat. NOTE: Sugar melts very slowly and burns easily; reduce heat if necessary after sugar begins to caramelize. Remove from heat and transfer onto a wire rack or a serving platter.
NOTE: If the bacon slices touch each other on the serving platter, they will stick together.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Tips for Cooking Crispy Bacon
There's nothing worse than anticipating some yummy crispy bacon and receiving your breakfast only to be disappointed by the soggy, limp slices of what was suppose to be "bacon". I've never understood how you could be at a restaurant that somehow screws up the bacon! Making perfectly crisp bacon can be tricky sometimes, especially if you're working with really thin slices. I prefer using the thick-cut bacon.
Cooking bacon on a frying pan is by far the best way to go. Some people opt for the microwave (possible, but not great results) or using the oven. When using the frying pan, first add 3-4 slices of bacon to the cold pan, then turn heat to medium-low. Your goal is to cook most of the fat off without burning it. So use the heat high enough to cook the bacon, but low enough so that it doesn't burn.
Most importantly, keep an eye on the bacon. It's easy to get caught up with pancakes, eggs, etc. and leave the bacon going for too long and end up burning it. You want to constantly turn it over so that it cooks evenly on both sides. There shouldn't be any black on the bacon at all, if so turn the heat down. It should take about 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the slices for the bacon to be done. A good sign is the bacon will be deep brown in color. Once done, set on a plate lined with paper towels. It won't seem crisp at first, but will be once the fat is soaked up by the paper towels.
If you choose to cook your bacon in the oven, use the rack in the middle position preheating the oven to 375 degrees. Using aluminum foil, line your baking sheet before setting the slices of bacon seperately side by side. Once in the oven, if the fat becomes too excessive, remove and drain the excess fat. In about 15-20 minutes, remove them from the oven and transfer bacon onto paper towels to drain remaining fat. And there, you have your oven cooked crispy bacon!
Unusual Eats
Okay, here are some unusual bacon eats. I'm not so sure I'm that much of a bacon fan to ever really try any of these, but interesting to know that these foods do exist and satisfy a few!
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