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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.

· comments [33] · 02-18-2008 · categories:food · things I think are neat ·

33 responses so far ↓

  • 1 shokufeh // Feb 18, 2008 at 7:24 am

    While I haven’t eaten bacon in years, I love the way your mind works! :)

  • 2 KD Lady // Feb 18, 2008 at 7:35 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!

  • 3 EB // Feb 18, 2008 at 8:51 am

    HOLY CRAP You’re a genius. Genius.

  • 4 grimsaburger // Feb 18, 2008 at 8:51 am

    And now all I can think about is bacon. It’s going to be a good day.

  • 5 Lynn in Tucson // Feb 18, 2008 at 9:11 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

  • 6 megan // Feb 18, 2008 at 9:13 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.

  • 7 Charcuterista // Feb 18, 2008 at 9:21 am

    Beautiful bacon pictures! Thanks for a great presentation idea, plus I love that it’s done in the oven – so much less mess…

  • 8 Best of Good Reads - Other « The Apartment Farm // Feb 18, 2008 at 10:25 am

    […] Not Martha is making bacon curls – which I just think is cool. […]

  • 9 Ann // Feb 18, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Cool! But now I want scallops wrapped in bacon and I have none of the fixings. Ah well.

  • 10 Justin // Feb 18, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    Are bacon straws stuffable?? Imagine the possibilities! Egg, sausage, potatoe… It’s a breakfast in a strawful of goodness.

  • 11 Stephanie // Feb 18, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    Those are awesome!

  • 12 Sous // Feb 18, 2008 at 2:43 pm

    Ah, yes…
    Bacon.
    The candy of meat.

  • 13 Lauren // Feb 18, 2008 at 2:57 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

  • 14 Meghan // Feb 18, 2008 at 6:43 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!

  • 15 Prasti // Feb 18, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    oh…yum! my family would love this. great idea, thank you for sharing. the straw looks interesting…

  • 16 kitchenMage // Feb 19, 2008 at 2:05 pm

    That. Is. So. Cool. May I borrow the idea if I give you credit?

  • 17 megan // Feb 19, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    kitchenMage – Yes, but please do include a link back here, I appreciate it!

  • 18 Karin Ross // Feb 19, 2008 at 5:56 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

  • 19 gregory // Feb 19, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    As a bacon lover who recently co-made chocolate mousse cakes with bacon bits, I whole heartedly approve!

  • 20 MC // Feb 20, 2008 at 6:18 am

    What a great idea for presentation for a party, I never even thought about it! Thanks!

  • 21 April // Feb 21, 2008 at 12:19 am

    Genius! That is so going in my bacon repertoire (sp?) along with bacon wrapped dates and bacon wrapped water chestnuts.

  • 22 Lyz // Feb 22, 2008 at 7:36 am

    OMG. I love bacon. That looks so delicious and fancy. Who thought bacon could get better?

  • 23 Cakespy // Feb 22, 2008 at 2:56 pm

    When I saw this on Flickr I couldn’t help but react! Part art object, part delicious salty fix…what’s not to love?

  • 24 Happy Zombie // Feb 27, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    Mmmmm bacon. I love this – thanks for sharing.

  • 25 Sonya // Feb 27, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    Curly – it just makes bacon better.

  • 26 Sarah // Mar 3, 2008 at 7:14 am

    Mmmm…. we made some last night. Great idea!

  • 27 caleb // Mar 3, 2008 at 7:17 am

    Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

  • 28 Mark // Mar 9, 2008 at 8:57 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!

  • 29 Leezurd // Jul 26, 2008 at 11:45 pm

    Bacon is underrated.

  • 30 朝食革命！スパイラル・ベーコン(bacon curls) : monogocoro ものごころ // Jun 11, 2010 at 4:38 am

    […] splendid idea! Only you wind bacon around stick aluminum foil and bake it. Thanks!!!!:not martha // […]

  • 31 Maria // Oct 21, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Awesome bacon idea! Thanks for sharing :) I used your pic for one of my blog posts with a link back to you- you’re fabulous! Have a good weekend. Best, Maria

  • 32 Jim // May 2, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    Bacon Curls were featured on an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show during its first season.

  • 33 Bacon Week 2013: Bacon Curls - spatialdrift | spatialdrift // Jul 18, 2014 at 9:28 am

    […] Of Agates and Madeleines.  You won’t be disappointed, I promise. ^_^TEH NOMS.Bacon CurlsFrom Not Martha.maryFormerly of both n00bcakes and !Blog, the two magically become one on Spatialdrift; expect some […]

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