Braised Bacon, A Decadent Delight

Posted by Boss Hog Credit: BaconToday.com on Sep 25th 2024

Braised bacon recipes and delights can lead your nose and taste buds to a whole new realm of possibilities. Here’s a look at what you’ll need and how you’ll go about creating decadent braised bacon delights.

Process

Most braised bacon directions call for a temperature between 325 and 375 degrees. It depends on how thick your slices of bacon are, how quickly you want them to cook, and how crispy you like. You can braise bacon on a skillet, pan or use a Dutch oven.

If you use a pan, consider covering it with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Covering the bacon with a lid or alternative. will keep the bacon moist. If you like it crunchier, leave the bacon uncovered. Braising time can take one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hours. It depends on the thickness of the cut and the temperature you cook it at, but also how you like it, so keep the texture you want in mind while the bacon is in the oven.

The (Main) Ingredients

Ingredients are a matter of choice when it comes to your braised bacon dish. Whether you wrap your bacon around morsels of lobster or use it on a sandwich, the complementary flavors you’ll want will be inherently different. Some braised bacon recipes call for a braising liquid like a vegetable stock that consists of peeled garlic cloves, celery stocks, carrots and onions. Another option is apple cider vinegar which adds a sweetness that pairs well with the savory flavors of bacon.  In terms of braising liquid, the options are endless and you can experiment with different options and create your own.

For The Newbie

If this is your first time braising bacon, you may want some concrete directions and recipe to follow. There’s no shame in this, everyone starts somewhere, after all. Get the process down before you start experimenting.

You’ll need either a braising pan or a Dutch oven for this recipe. For your first attempt, use this recipe on BostonChefs.com.

Set the oven temperature to 325 degrees. Add butter and vegetables. Let them soften until they begin to release their moisture. Transfer the vegetables and deglaze the pan with Armagnac and your white wine, then replace the vegetables and add the bacon on top of them. Cover with a lid. Let cook for around two-and-a-half hours. Keep an eye on the liquid as the ingredients sweat. You may need to drain off some of the liquid, but make sure not to dump all of it. Once done, you can sear the bacon in a pan if you prefer some extra crunch and flavor. Well done, you’ve braised bacon for the first time. You can now try out your own recipes.