Broke-Ass Kitchen: Candied Bacon

I recently realized candied bacon is pretty much the cleavage of the food world. It’s incredibly easy to do and even just a little goes a long way (rimshot!). But seriously folks, I am actually a little embarrassed to call this a recipe because it’s such a simple way to melt minds and taste buds alike. Put it on waffles, ice cream, the Peanut Butter cookies I posted about a few weeks ago, a spoon, whatever–you won’t regret it. Well, until you have to go buy larger pants at least…

Candied Bacon
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, 1 cup dark brown sugar, 1 pound sliced bacon, 1 tsp each salt and pepper. Optional: add a 1 teaspoon of fun flavor to compliment your dish: cinnamon, cayenne, ginger… go nuts!
Cost: Depending on the brand of bacon, around $7
Time: 15-20 minutes
Soundtrack: Mingus’s Blues & Roots   (“Moanin'” is especially appropriate.)
The Plan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil, and position broiler rack on top of pan.  (I’ve used a regular baking pan and it does the trick too if you don’t have one.) Coat the rack (or baking pan) with the oil. Next, put the sugar in a shallow dish with in any additional flavor you might be using until mixed well, then roll the bacon all up in there until it’s coated on both sides. Put the bacon on the rack (or in the pan) and go ahead sprinkle toss any extra sugar on top as well as the salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes (the sugar will bubble and get gooey), then remove and let cool before you enjoy or you will burn your fingers and mouth in a most sad way. Not that I know from experience or anything…