Treat Yourself To Candied Bacon

By Lisa Ellis


Foodies and others that can appreciate a good snack understand a good guilty pleasure. Whether it be sweet, sour, or somewhere in between, something that is easy to hold while eating is the key. Candied bacon is one food trend that combines all of those good tastes and has become a sticky situation people of all ages cannot get enough of.

The idea of meat being prepared as a candy may seem odd but it is very popular with those who like to pour syrup on their breakfast meat. Only instead of having pancakes or waffles, a person can get all the sticky goodness at any time of day. While maple flavored sausage is popular, it must be cooked first.

Pork tends to have a light taste that is enhanced by flavorings that are spicy or sweet. This is why many pork entrees have a sauce or marinade that is sugar or honey based. Adding savory to the mix enhances the flavor profile and makes it seem more like an entree and not dessert. However, some restaurants serve bacon candy as an appetizer or dessert.

The average bacon candy recipe calls for thick cuts that have been smoked with applewood. While hickory is good also, mesquite or pepper may be too overpowering. Then comes the glaze, which normally consists of maple flavored syrup, cinnamon or pie spice, with just a sprinkle of salt. For more crunch, light or dark brown sugar may be used instead of the syrup.

It is best to go easy on the ingredients because too much of one thing can kill the flavor combination. Once each strip is evenly coated, just place under medium heat until the ingredients caramelize. Afterwards, place bacon on a sheet to drain oil and let cool before eating.

This makes a nice food gift to present to someone on the job or at a social gathering. Since this can cook quickly on an outdoor grill, it also makes a nice appetizer or dessert. Because most of the excess moisture and oil are removed, it can be stored in room temperatures for a few days using a tightly sealed container.

One thing that people tend to forget is that pork contains protein and lean cuts of bacon have minimal amounts of fat. Overall, this recipe is easy to make at home and anyone can put their own spin to suit their own dietary needs. Even the alternate recipes can be made using an oven or on the stovetop.

Some may like to use turkey bacon or those made from plants. While there are many vegetarian options that taste like the real thing, it may be necessary to double up when adding the glaze. To reduce sugar content, honey or agave syrup made be used instead. Hot sauce can be added to the ingredients for those who like their snacks spicy.

This can be the life of the party when added to a variety of edibles for entertaining. Yogurt based dips or hummus may be eaten with vegetable or grain chips. Those who feel they are indulging may be in for a nice surprise.




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