Things that I know:
1) Bacon is delicious.
2) Chocolate is delicious, as well.
3) Serving them together has already been done.
4) In culinary circles bacon is passe.
5) I choose to ignore #3 and #4!
Chocolate covered bacon is an easy and ridiculously delicious treat to make. And you don't have to have a "man-party" to have it inhaled before your very eyes! I like hickory-smoked bacon paired with milk chocolate as opposed to dark chocolate, since the deep flavor of the dark is a little overwhelming with the smoky flavor of the bacon.
You should try pairing different kinds of bacon with different kinds of chocolate and seasonings! And while I'm a fan of turkey bacon, I don't think it would be so amazing in this concoction. Pork bacon is delicious because it is rich in an "extra" flavor the tongue can savor called umami. Umami essentially makes the other flavors more pronounced and delicious, so that explains why bacon-ANYthing can be so oddly appealing!
Let me know what incarnations of chocolate covered bacon you come up with!
Chocolate Covered Bacon
Serves 4-24 bacon lovers
Ingredients:
2 pounds hickory-smoked bacon, pieces cut in half with kitchen shears
1 16 ounce package of milk chocolate chips
Freshly cracked black pepper
Sea salt
Cook your bacon as you choose, I like to fry it in a large saute pan over medium-high heat in batches and then drain on paper towels. You can also bake the bacon on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet (with high edges to catch the fat) at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Whatever method you choose to cook your bacon the one thing that needs to happen is to get that bacon crispy! Noodle bacon is not allowed to be chocolate covered!
Let your bacon cool to room temperature and get your chocolate melted! While your bacon is cooling, tear off a few long sheets of aluminum foil and place on the counter. This is going to be your cooling area for the bacon after it has been dipped.
Dump the entire package of chocolate chips into a medium bowl. If you don't want to double-boil your chocolate (and I sure don't), melt your chocolate in the microwave at 30 second intervals. After each interval, give the chips a stir to help the melting process. Be careful not to overcook the chips, because they will dry out and "set up" if they are overheated in the microwave! I like to heat the chips until there are still a few trying to melt and I just stir until the chips are smooth and glossy.
Get dipping! Take a cooled piece of bacon and dunk it in the chocolate, let the excess drizzle off and then place on the aluminum foil. Before the chocolate cools, sprinkle some sea salt or freshly-cracked black pepper on some of the pieces. Let cool for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate is set. Repeat the process until your bacon is all dressed up for the party!
2 pounds hickory-smoked bacon, pieces cut in half with kitchen shears
1 16 ounce package of milk chocolate chips
Freshly cracked black pepper
Sea salt
Cook your bacon as you choose, I like to fry it in a large saute pan over medium-high heat in batches and then drain on paper towels. You can also bake the bacon on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet (with high edges to catch the fat) at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Whatever method you choose to cook your bacon the one thing that needs to happen is to get that bacon crispy! Noodle bacon is not allowed to be chocolate covered!
Let your bacon cool to room temperature and get your chocolate melted! While your bacon is cooling, tear off a few long sheets of aluminum foil and place on the counter. This is going to be your cooling area for the bacon after it has been dipped.
Dump the entire package of chocolate chips into a medium bowl. If you don't want to double-boil your chocolate (and I sure don't), melt your chocolate in the microwave at 30 second intervals. After each interval, give the chips a stir to help the melting process. Be careful not to overcook the chips, because they will dry out and "set up" if they are overheated in the microwave! I like to heat the chips until there are still a few trying to melt and I just stir until the chips are smooth and glossy.
Get dipping! Take a cooled piece of bacon and dunk it in the chocolate, let the excess drizzle off and then place on the aluminum foil. Before the chocolate cools, sprinkle some sea salt or freshly-cracked black pepper on some of the pieces. Let cool for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate is set. Repeat the process until your bacon is all dressed up for the party!
I am speechless. I have to try this.
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