How to cook bacon
It's Sunday morning and in our house, Sunday breakfast was always special – many times we would have bacon.
And it doesn't have to be Sunday to enjoy bacon! Besides the traditional BLT sammies, bacon is now topping many sammies, meatloaves, and is even crumbled and sprinkled over potatoes, whether they are baked, steamed, mashed, or French-fried.
IN A SKILLET: Slice strips in half crosswise. Place in a large skillet over medium-low heat without crowding. If strips overlap, they won't cook evenly.
Turn bacon regularly as it cooks. Because pans have hot spots, move the strips around, switching ones in the middle with those on the outside. The bacon will take five to 10 minutes to cook, depending on the bacon, the pan and the heat.
Just before you think the bacon has reached perfection, remove it and drain on paper towels. It will continue to cook a little as it sits.
To control the sizzling grease, use a spatter guard, sold at many cookware and department stores.
Or try these other methods:
BAKING: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place wire racks on a jelly-roll pan. Arrange a single layer of bacon on the racks and bake to desired crispness, 15 to 20 minutes. It is not necessary to turn the slices.
BROILING: Heat the broiler. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the broiler pan's slotted top. Place the pan so the bacon is 3 inches from the heat. Broil to desired crispness, five to seven minutes, turning once for even browning.
MICROWAVING: Place six to eight bacon slices between layers of paper towels on a microwaveable plate. Cook on high for six to eight minutes, turning the bacon a quarter-turn every two minutes.
PIG CANDY
Bacon (several strips)
Brown Sugar (enough to coat strips of bacon)
1. Coat uncooked bacon in some dark brown sugar.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
CHILI BACON
YIELD: About 8 slices, depending on thickness of bacon
1/2 pound thick-sliced bacon
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon dried, ground chili, mild or hot
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Arrange bacon in single layer on jelly-roll pan (baking sheet with sides). Bake about 10 minutes and pour off rendered fat.
Mix remaining ingredients together and brush bacon with mixture. Return bacon to oven and bake four minutes. Turn bacon over and brush bacon again. Return to oven and bake four more minutes or until bacon is medium brown and crispy. Serve hot.
