Wednesday, October 22, 2008

How do you do it?

Bacon?  How do you cook it?




I came upon this method of cooking bacon from watching the food network.  I have been cooking my bacon like this for sometime, and loving it I might add, but realized last night I have forgotten to share the love.  So, to be real, I must say, this is not my pic, I stole it.  I do that!  And, I don't use real bacon, I love Turkey bacon you can buy from Costco (I know, anyone who knows me at all has to know I got it from Costco).  Anyway, on with the goods.  So, turn your oven onto broil.  As it is heating up, line your cookie sheet with foil (you don't have to do this, I just like to) space out your bacon like the picture above (I overlap a little),  and then put the cookie sheet on the 2nd rack of the oven (or top if you really want to watch it super carefully).  Then, just wait.  Mine takes about 5 minutes, or a little longer, it depends on how you like your bacon.  I like mine crispy!!!  I would be really careful the first time you do it, and figure out your oven.  

My favorite recipe for using bacon is Pasta Carbonara.  I absolutely love it.  This is a doubled recipe.
1 package of noodles (I use spaghetti or linguine)
2 cups of half and half
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter
1 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 parsley dried (1/2 cup fresh)
12 or more strips of bacon 

Cook noodles according to directions.  For sauce.  Melt butter in sauce pan over medium heat, then add half and half and beaten eggs.  Continue to cook on medium heat until sauce thickens.  Do not boil.  Continue to stir while it is cooking.  If you must walk away, try to stir at least once every minute. It is done when it coats the spoon thickly (about 6 minutes).  (***sometimes you overcook it, don't worry, it won't be perfect, but life isn't perfect and it still tastes good, it just isn't as creamy and smooth).  After sauce and pasta are cooked, mix together, then add parsley and parmesan cheese.  You are done, and you have a dish to please the masses.

My kids absolutely love this dish.  I serve this often with grilled chicken and grilled veges.  Super yummy.  Or, just add a side salad and you are done (you have your protein in the bacon, so it is all good).

11 comments:

Min said...

I'm a notoriously bad bacon cooker...okay, maybe not notorious, but I always make Adam do it! I did find a method of baking it, on parchment at 350 (I think) for about 20 minutes. Not as fast as yours though!

Kim Watson said...

I love this! I don't ever cook bacon because it is a pain, but your method seems much easier. The recipe sounds delish, and I will be trying it out soon! Thanks :)

Melisa said...

Thanks for the advice I can never get my bacon right. I love your cooking advice and recipes. We use your bread bowl recipe all of the time. YUMMY! Thanks again.

reddquilter said...

I love cooking bacon this way, one thing I do differently is I place the bacon on a wire rack and then the rack with bacon onto the cookie sheet. It helps all that grease to drain off the bacon. Thanks for sharing your recipes. Love to all Becky

Suzette said...

This is great advice! I'm with you on the turkey bacon. Just wondering how it makes the house smell? Probably can't avoid that!

Berrybritt said...

I too wonder if there is a way to cook bacon and not have your house smell for days. I will have to try this one!!!!

Sarah Bisel said...

The house still smells like bacon, but you can cook it on the grill (outside) this way too. Just make sure you have it on indirect heat.

Missy said...

sounds yummy. Um, how much parsley? Really 1/4 or half a cup?

Sarah Bisel said...

1/4 cup dried, 1/2 cup if fresh of parsely.

Ponczoch Family said...

LOVE cooking bacon this way... I do think that the house has less of a bacon smell when it's in the oven than on the stove (but maybe that's just me). I'm excited to try the recipe!

kiki said...

Seriously, Daniel and I were talking about cooking bacon in the oven just a few weeks ago. I am so taking this recipe.. I just might even copy/paste and blog it myself!!

Senta