Mastering Bacon Usage: A Comprehensive Guide for Food Enthusiasts

When you have an excess of bacon, the creative culinary possibilities are endless. Whether you simply prefer to have crispy bacon on hand for impromptu meals or you're looking for a hearty, comforting dish, there are countless ways to utilize an extra pound of bacon. Here, we'll explore some tried-and-true methods, including a detailed recipe for Baked Beans, as well as tips for using bacon in various culinary creations.

Using Excess Bacon Wisely

If you find yourself with half a pound of bacon, there are several quick and easy methods to make it last. One of our favorite techniques is to bake the bacon until it's perfectly crisp, then freeze the pieces for later use. This method ensures that the bacon remains consistently delicious, and you always have some on hand for a variety of dishes.

Baking Bacon for Future Use

Preheat your oven to 350°F (we prefer convection cooking, which speeds up the process). Arrange the bacon on a parchment paper-covered sheet pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your desired crispness. Drain the bacon on paper towels, wrap it in clean paper towels, then place it in a freezer bag. When you're ready to use the bacon, simply warm it up as needed. This technique saves time and ensures that the bacon is always ready to go, perfect for making impromptu meals or adding to dishes at the last moment.

Baked Beans: A Comprehensive Recipe

When you have a pound of bacon, one of the most satisfying ways to use it is in a classic Baked Bean dish. Adapted from the renowned Chef Alton Brown, this recipe takes time and care but is well worth the effort.

Ingredients and Notes

Great Northern Beans (454g / 1 lb) - You can substitute navy beans or cannellini beans for variety. Bacon (454g / 1 lb) - Feel free to adjust the amount based on your preference for crispness and availability. Onion - Chopped, for both flavor and aroma. Jalapeno Pepper - Half of a pepper, for a bit of heat and texture. Tomato Paste - A quarter cup (half a can). Brown Sugar - A quarter cup, for added sweetness and color. Molasses - A quarter cup, for depth of flavor and color. Vegetable Broth - As needed, with a base of one package or more. Cayenne Pepper - A quarter teaspoon, for a little heat. Black Pepper - One teaspoon, for robust flavor. Kosher Salt - Two teaspoons, to enhance the overall flavor.

Preparation and Cooking

The night before, soak the beans in cold water overnight. Retain the soaking water for later in the recipe.

Preheat your oven to 250°F. Chop the bacon and fry it until it's crisp, rendering the fat. This fat will add flavor to the beans.

Finely chop the onion and remove and seed the jalapeno. Fry the onions and jalapeno in the bacon fat for 5 minutes.

Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, and molasses to the onions and jalapeno, and stir until well combined.

Add the beans to a Dutch oven and pour the soaking water and vegetable broth over them, ensuring you end up with a total of 7 cups of liquid.

Stir in the salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Place the Dutch oven in the oven and let it cook for 6-8 hours at 250°F. For slow cookers, you might need to start it much sooner to reach the desired temperature.

Check the beans during the last hour of cooking. If they are too thick, add more vegetable broth. If they are too thin, remove the Dutch oven from the oven and reduce the beans on the stovetop over medium heat until they reach the desired consistency. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

Once the beans are ready, serve them with biscuits or cornbread for a delicious and hearty meal.

Conclusion

With a little creativity and patience, you can make your bacon go a long way. Whether you're whipping up a batch of Baked Beans or simply ensuring you always have perfectly crisp bacon on hand, these methods will help you make the most of your bacon stash. Happy cooking!