How To Elevate The Flavor Of Your Bacon With Another Breakfast Staple
Few foods in this world create such an audible sizzle and an enticing aroma that immediately creates a Pavlovian reaction within one's salivary glands, as well as a light bulb moment in the brain that only spells out one word: bacon. These strips of pork belly (or strips of a pig's back if it's the European or Canadian variety, via Lunds & Byerlys) don't need much of an introduction, as they are beloved and sought after staple in many traditional American breakfasts. Perfect alongside creamy scrambled eggs and biscuits with sausage gravy, bacon complements just about any meal with its fatty richness and salty crispiness. Bacon strips can even be crumbled up into bite-sized bits and tossed into veggies and greens like in a rainbow chard salad.
While bacon is certainly heavenly on its own, is it possible that its flavor can be enhanced with the addition of another breakfast staple? And perhaps one that is notably doused on a stack of fluffy pancakes? Yes... a million times yes.
Savory meets sweet
Maple syrup is sweet, thick, glossy, and perfect as a glaze for bacon. It adds a touch of sweetness to each salty strip without overpowering any of the flavors. You can even put your chef's hat on and go wild with additions like espresso, brown sugar, and bourbon, which all pair exceptionally well with maple syrup.
There are many different syrups to experiment with, namely, golden, amber, dark, and very dark, according to Men's Journal. The publication goes on to state that maple syrup contains several vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, potassium, and calcium, and provides more consistent energy.
To whip up a batch of maple syrup bacon in no time at all, follow the wise words of Ina Garten. Per Food Network, simply roast your bacon in an oven for 15-20 minutes at 400 F, take them out, and use a basting brush to glaze each strip with maple syrup. Pop 'em back in the oven for another 3-5 minutes and you're golden like your bacon.
So next time you're looking to elevate your bacon, grab a bottle of maple syrup. Your stack of pancakes will surely understand.