My dear readers….I am so excited as I have family coming from up North…as we in SW Florida say…well, lets get more accurate and call it the Midwest.
There is a difference….a big difference.
There will be 5 guests…family members, so they really are not guests but the Captain and I are really looking forward to this visit.
I am sure we will go out to eat a few times while they are here, but we will also be having breakfast by the pool too.
I have tentatively planned a few breakfasts and one could not have breakfast without Bacon.
Lots of Bacon!
I am sure some readers might say…”oh, no! Fatty bacon!”….but deep down, who doesn’t love bacon and I plan to pop some bacon in the oven which makes it just a bit healthier or as some would say low carb.
Well, sort of!
Low carb or not, oven bacon has become all of the rage the past few years, but oven baking of bacon has been on most bacon packages for as long as I can remember.
And if you have ever been on one of those low carb diets….admit it, we all have at one time or another of our lives especially if we were trying to lose a few pounds quickly….then you have eaten bacon… well drained of course, and cooking a full pound of bacon in the oven is a great way to get your bacon all done at once.
Now, I have to confess that if I’m just cooking a slice or two, I still cook it in my cast iron skillet, but when I am cooking up an entire package of bacon for guests…or a certain recipe… I use the oven method. And you really don’t have to worry about left overs as bacon stores nicely in the fridge for a few days, so it’s handy to have on hand for a BLT sandwich or to add to a recipe. Just let it cool and store the slices in a plastic baggie. Bacon also freezes nicely, it if you don’t think you’ll use it up right away.
To make bacon in the oven, I just lay the bacon out on a foil covered, rimmed baking sheet pan, two of them for a full pound. Using foil makes for an easier clean up.
OR, put your bacon on a baking rack with foil underneath for easy clean up. Works either way. It is just a matter of preference. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how thick your bacon is, and the degree of crispness you’re looking for.
There are those who say to start with a cold oven, and I have tried that and it does work, but I prefer to preheat my oven, which I find works for me!
No need to turn the bacon either. Once the bacon is done, drain it on a rack or on paper towels, BUT…and here is the most important part…. don’t forget to save the bacon grease. I love the flavor a little bacon grease gives my fried potatoes and I have a long list of ways to use these wonderful bacon drippings, but that is for another post.
OK…I can hear it now. The tsk tsk tsk part of …whatever happened to healthy eating?
My dear readers, I have another confession to make. I’m not too good with depriving myself, and I don’t know how long I’ll be living on this earth. Our time is short as we all know.
But this brings to mind the famous quote by Erma Bombeck…the late American humorist.
‘Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the ‘Titanic’ who waved off the dessert cart.’
When the time comes for me to meet my maker…I’m pretty sure I’m NOT gonna be saying “I’m sure glad I quit eating Fried Chicken or Bacon!” 🙂
It is true that I will continue to try to watch my portions and eat a bit more balanced diet. And when I notice that I am eating something a bit off the chart…I will add a little more activity in the pool or on the treadmill. But let’s face it….at my age, I know I will never be a Cindy Crawford look alike…nor do I want to be super thin or even not so super thin.
Do any of you remember that sheep cartoon? You know the one where one sheep says to the other sheep…Ewe’s not fat, Ewe’s just fluffy! Ok, I reckon I am just a little fluffy!
Having said that, I do think it’s a good idea to cut back on processed foods and simple and refined carbohydrates. I believe we should focus more on complex carbs and whole grains. Isn’t that what balance is all about?
But Bacon?
Hey, I’m gonna eat my bacon and baking it in the oven might just be a little healthier than frying in a pan.
Family? Be ready for some bacon when you come down to Florida!
Have a great and blessed day!
Fluffy is good, but bacon is better eh!
Definitely my favorite breakfast… grilled bacon butties.. but grilling means I have to turn the slices..
I always provide them when I’ve roped family in to help with some impossible (for me) chore…
Have a great week Kari
hugs from across the pond xx
Yummy Ross….And as if bacon needs nothing more….how about coating each piece in maple syrup before popping in the oven? Ohhhhhh Yeahhhhh!
I have no shame. 🙁
Hugs right back at you and I can’t imagine any chore impossible for you to do or to get done. 😉
XXXXX