We celebrate International Bacon Day with a few insights and some dead-easy bacon-laced recipes.
Love it or hate it, you can’t deny bacon’s star appeal, especially today. After a generation of being told that bacon was a killer in salaciously salty clothing, many diets now advocate this oh-so-controversial ingredient’s consumption, praising its high protein quality, not to mention its many vital vitamins – count ’em off, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12 – as well as minerals like phosphorus, zinc, choline, and selenium, which are said to support brain health – and no, this isn’t just misdirection from Big Bacon.
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“Despite the hype around this food and processed meats in general, bacon remains a staple in low carb circles, which are gaining a lot more popularity and show no signs of being the “fad” they were dismissed as,” says nutritionist Nonie De Long.
“But the primary reason to eat bacon is not about bacon at all. It’s about insulin resistance and satiety. The largest threat to our collective health today is insulin resistance, brought about by the massive explosion of highly processed, high glycemic convenience foods and snack foods, which cause insulin resistance, which drives type II diabetes and obesity. Look around. How many people do you see who are overweight? How many kids are overweight? Now think back. How many were overweight when you were a kid and went to school?”
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“Bacon’s the best,” says American stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan. “Even the frying of bacon sounds like applause.” Of course, an American would know – bacon is akin to religion in the US, where bacon alone is a US$14.8 billion market thanks to its versatility, flavour, and ability to enhance both sweet and savoury dishes.
“Bacon is a natural, complete protein balanced with good fats, when it comes directly from a butcher and has been dry cured from an outdoor reared pig,” advises Hong Kong-based functional medicine specialist and nutritional therapist Miles Price. “That said, be sure to steer clear of smokey bacon from factory farm-raised pigs.” He suggests grilling bacon with avocado and sauerkraut for the perfect low-carb combo.
To celebrate bacon’s own day on the calendar, here are five innovative bacon recipes for you to try today.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
A great snack for game night, these spicy, salty poppers will make you the host with the most.
Ingredients: Jalapenos, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon slices
Method: Cut jalapenos in half, remove seeds, fill with a mixture of cream cheese and cheddar, wrap with bacon slices, and bake until bacon is crispy.
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Maple Bacon Doughnuts
Sweet and salty, no one ever advocated for bacon doughnuts, but who cares?
Ingredients: Doughnut dough (store-bought or homemade), maple syrup, crispy bacon
Method: Fry bacon until crispy, chop into bits, dip doughnuts in maple syrup, and sprinkle bacon bits on top.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese
Another great entertainer’s dish, albeit a little fancier, these bite-size symphonies of flavour play off the flavour profiles of two controversial ingredients.
Ingredients: Dates, blue cheese, bacon slices, toothpicks
Method: Stuff dates with blue cheese, wrap with bacon, secure with toothpicks, and bake until bacon is crispy and cheese is melted.
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Bacon Mac and Cheese
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser and the treasure you’ll find in the fridge at 3 am, this dish ups the ante of the mac and cheese classic.
Ingredients: Macaroni, cheese sauce, crispy bacon, breadcrumbs
Method: Cook macaroni, mix with cheese sauce, top with crispy bacon, sprinkle breadcrumbs, and bake until golden and bubbly.
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles
A nice little addition for home-cooking date night, and one that will definitely earn you brownie points, even asparagus haters won’t be able to turn down these bundles.
Ingredients: Asparagus, bacon slices, olive oil, salt, pepper
Method: Toss asparagus in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, wrap a bundle with bacon slices, and bake until bacon is crispy and asparagus is tender.
Just remember: “Bacon is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy” – Benjamin Franklin
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