Monday, February 18, 2008
bacon curls
Last week I was flipping through a small notebook and found some notes for the idea of making a bacon straw. Finding ourselves with bacon in the house last weekend we decided to try it.
We cooked them on a cooling rack over a cookie sheet to allow the fat to drain. 325 for about 15 minutes.
The original idea was to make an accordianed tin foil tube to wrap the bacon around (think: fast food drinking straw wrapper). I made a few of these formed around the handle of a spoon. Unfortunately when pulled to release the diameter of the foil grew just enough to break the bacon.
Scott discovered the best way to remove the foil was to grasp both ends and twist, like you are wringing out a wet towel. The diameter of the foil got smaller and was easy to slip out of the bacon after that.
Unfortunately, the tubed bacon did not cook evenly, leaving the middle and underside chewy while the ends were crisp, we found the textures unappetizing (let along the appearance of a worm (thanks, Scott) to be kinda gross). The one bacon straw I made barely made it through foil removal, but was fun to eat. Scott looked at that one and declared it made him think of the book How To Eat Fried Worms, so I had it all to myself.
The bacon curls worked quite nicely though! They cooked pretty evenly and made the foil removal a bit easier. I made curls from both standard slices of bacon and one I had cut lengthwise to create very narrow bacon strips. They were fun to eat, and would look lovely next to some waffles.
Also see the bacon curl garnish at How Stuff Works.
categories: food, things I think are neat
While I haven't eaten bacon in years, I love the way your mind works! :)
Comment by shokufeh — February 18, 2008 @ 7:24 am
Although it's not hard to get anyone to eat bacon, this would be a great kids way to serve it, maybe as curly hair on an omelette face! And thanks for the tip about cooking on the cooling rack - I've been doing something similar but that will work better!
Comment by KD Lady — February 18, 2008 @ 7:35 am
HOLY CRAP You're a genius. Genius.
Comment by EB — February 18, 2008 @ 8:51 am
And now all I can think about is bacon. It's going to be a good day.
Comment by grimsaburger — February 18, 2008 @ 8:51 am
Have you heard about the Vosges bacon chocolate bar?? You know, for the friend who has everything!
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar/exotic_candy_bars
Comment by Lynn in Tucson — February 18, 2008 @ 9:11 am
Lynn - I've tasted that before and I didn't find the flavors melded together as one might hope. It's a good idea, but the execution isn't perfect in that chocolate bar.
Comment by megan — February 18, 2008 @ 9:13 am
Beautiful bacon pictures! Thanks for a great presentation idea, plus I love that it's done in the oven - so much less mess...
Comment by Charcuterista — February 18, 2008 @ 9:21 am
[...] Not Martha is making bacon curls - which I just think is cool. [...]
Pingback by Best of Good Reads - Other « The Apartment Farm — February 18, 2008 @ 10:25 am
Cool! But now I want scallops wrapped in bacon and I have none of the fixings. Ah well.
Comment by Ann — February 18, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Are bacon straws stuffable?? Imagine the possibilities! Egg, sausage, potatoe... It's a breakfast in a strawful of goodness.
Comment by Justin — February 18, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Those are awesome!
Comment by Stephanie — February 18, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
Ah, yes...
Bacon.
The candy of meat.
Comment by Sous — February 18, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
Those look FANTASTIC!!
My pictures aren't so glamorous, but if you like bacon in weird shapes, come see our Bacon Mat gallery!
http://lloydandlauren.com/?page_id=863
Comment by Lauren — February 18, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
I'm thinking bacon shot glasses next. Obviously, you wouldn't fill them with alcohol, but think of all the deliciousness that could be stuffed in a bacon cup!
Comment by Meghan — February 18, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
oh...yum! my family would love this. great idea, thank you for sharing. the straw looks interesting...
Comment by Prasti — February 18, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
That. Is. So. Cool. May I borrow the idea if I give you credit?
Comment by kitchenMage — February 19, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
kitchenMage - Yes, but please do include a link back here, I appreciate it!
Comment by megan — February 19, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
I love your bacon curls. If you had some demerara sugar (I think it is what is left after they make molasses)you could sprinkle some on the bacon about 3/4 of the way through and have candied bacon curls. double yumm
Comment by Karin Ross — February 19, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
As a bacon lover who recently co-made chocolate mousse cakes with bacon bits, I whole heartedly approve!
Comment by gregory — February 19, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
What a great idea for presentation for a party, I never even thought about it! Thanks!
Comment by MC — February 20, 2008 @ 6:18 am
Genius! That is so going in my bacon repertoire (sp?) along with bacon wrapped dates and bacon wrapped water chestnuts.
Comment by April — February 21, 2008 @ 12:19 am
OMG. I love bacon. That looks so delicious and fancy. Who thought bacon could get better?
Comment by Lyz — February 22, 2008 @ 7:36 am
When I saw this on Flickr I couldn't help but react! Part art object, part delicious salty fix...what's not to love?
Comment by Cakespy — February 22, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
Mmmmm bacon. I love this - thanks for sharing.
Comment by Happy Zombie — February 27, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
Curly - it just makes bacon better.
Comment by Sonya — February 27, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
Mmmm.... we made some last night. Great idea!
Comment by Sarah — March 3, 2008 @ 7:14 am
Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Comment by caleb — March 3, 2008 @ 7:17 am
I'm making these right now. I think my bacon might be a bit too thick though! We'll see. in the end I'm confident it will still be delicious!
Comment by Mark — March 9, 2008 @ 8:57 am
Bacon is underrated.
Comment by Leezurd — July 26, 2008 @ 11:45 pm