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Wednesday 23 May 2018

What's the easiest way to cook bacon?

Warning:  Do not proceed further if you don't want to be tempted!  This is a bacon overload post!! ;)

Although I've seen recipes and videos that showed the easiest way to cook bacon...by baking, I've never thought of attempting it until now.  I guess I just wasn't brave enough to try for fear that it might not work out and thereby ruining my costly bacon! :P

Mind you, these six slices of premium streaky bacon cost me close to RM18! O_o  That's how expensive bacon has become these days. T_T

I finally took a gamble and tried this method which I've seen on so many video blogs.  But the kiamsap in me meant I won't put all my eggs in one basket.  So I tried with just one slice first...and it worked....a perfectly cooked slice of bacon! ;)

So, a couple of days later, and with my bacon restocked, two slices were baked as they were in its original form.  Another two slices were made into spicy bacon by sprinkling them with smoked paprika.

The final two slices were made into candied bacon by brushing them with honey (I like to incorporate a light pinch of freshly cracked black pepper but you can omit it)...it's entirely up to you.  You can use a pastry brush or, better still, use your fingers (like the lazy me), then you won't need to wash yet another utensil.  I separated these two slices as I didn't want the sweetness of the honey to interfere with the other four slices.

Both trays went into the oven at the same time.  Bake at 200°C for 15 - 25 minutes depending on how crispy (or caramelised) you like your bacon.

I like mine well browned, so I baked this tray (that contained the candied bacon) for 15 minutes on one side (10 minutes if you prefer it less browned), flipped it and baked it for a further 4 minutes on the other side.  Because this one has honey brushed on them, it will be the quickest to caramelise (so watch it closely after you've flipped it over and take it out once it reaches your desired level of browning).  And don't worry about the blackened remnants surrounding the bacon coz, as long as your bacon is timed perfectly, your bacon won't be blackened (and you can leave the blackened remnants behind when you lift your bacon).

For the tray that contained the spicy and original bacon, I baked it on one side and flipped it at the same 15 minutes mark.  I baked it for a further 7 minutes on the other side for the spicy bacon and a further 10 minutes for the original bacon.  You just have to experiment and find the right timing on how you like your bacon cooked...and then just stick to those times once you're pleased with the outcome.

Original Baconmost would be happy with the even crisp and browning achieved.

Spicy Bacon - you can also sprinkle cayenne pepper, curry powder or chilli flakes to spice up your bacon further...whatever works for you :)

Candied Bacon - now you can make candied bacon yourself at home...woot woot!

Come, come (don't be shy), come nearer...for a close-up! ;D  Is that a pretty sight or what? ^_~  Who knew that making flavoured bacon at home would be so easy.....and you can experiment with all sorts of seasoning for different flavours.

I think baking it in the oven is indeed the easiest way to cook bacon, without having to pan-fry it in a non-stick pan and having to watch over it or cook it batch by batch (my pan fits only 3 slices of bacon at one time) and having the oil splatter all over your stove top.  :P

It's especially handy when you want to cook lots of bacon (like say for a makan party).  Just get the largest tray that can fit into the oven and line up the bacon in rows (it's even ok if they overlap as the bacon will shrink as they cook).

Hehe....pretty maids bacon all in a row...candied bacon (top), spicy bacon (middle) and original bacon (bottom).  Now you can make any flavoured bacon you want at home at a more economical price than bought ones.  And you can use the bacon however you want...and snack on them whenever you want....now that's a naughty baconlicious option indeed! ^o^

12 comments:

  1. I can see this bacon going into your salads, your soups, maybe even your desserts for a touch of savouriness! :) these would also be wonderful for a bacon burger, a big breakfast platter, etc :D

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    1. It's wonderful with just about anything! ;D

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  2. You are so smart and talented to share your bacon experiments! I feel so shiok now and will try this baking method this weekend for my big breakfast at home. I have been frying the bacons all my life and know some Americans actually baked them. The only extras I did was frying the bacon with butter which gave added aroma. I would love to try honey and chilly powder which is sitting idle on my shelf.

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    1. Wah, I must hand it to you...you know how to make an unhealthy product even unhealth-ier...by frying it in more fat (like butter)...wuahahahaha! :D

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  3. Aiyaiyai! I want those bacon strips up close and personal hee..hee... I have read about baking bacon in the oven too. Apparently one of the advantages mentioned is that the bacon stays flat and does not curl like in the pan. Judging from your baked bacon, they appear to be all nice and flat. Wah, you even made candied bacon. I want! I must try baking bacon too. Hmm...let's see if I can do it this weekend hee...hee....

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    1. Yes, please try baking them...they do come out flat. Very handy if we're making lots of bacon. My candied bacon wasn't sweet at all as I used very little honey. I think to make 'real' candied bacon, you probably have to use a lot more sugar (white or brown). ^_~

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  4. During our last visit to Vietnam - the bacon section of the breakfast buffet blew our minds! So many different ways to cook and types of bacon. Your post is bringing back memories.

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    1. Oh, if there was a bacon section at a breakfast buffet, I'd be a happy camper! ;)

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    2. It's funny that we thought it was such a big deal because if I'd been living in Australia I wouldn't have given it a second glance. All of these years in KL, however, and all of a sudden bacon is interesting ;-)

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    3. Well, I guess many of us love to eat bacon....in any form! ^_~

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  5. I never try any flavoured bacon and your premium bacon indeed premium judging by the thickness which is thicker than the normal one.

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    1. Yeah, I prefer these thicker ones that offer a good bite :)

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