Southern Bacon Showdown: Ovens, Skillets, and More!
Experienced the Art of Boiling Bacon?
Cooking bacon may seem like a simple task, but you'd be surprised how divided Southerners are on the best cooking methods. Gone are the days when grandma's cast-iron skillet was the only way to go. Here we dive into the various approaches and appliances modern Southerners swear by.
Bacon in the Oven: Cook It Big, Cook It Right
If you've never cooked bacon in the oven, it's high time you give it a shot. This method shines when you're cooking large quantities of bacon at once. Here's what some Southerners have to say about cooking bacon in the oven:
- "I cover a baking sheet with foil, lay my bacon as full as I can get it, and cook it at 400°F until it's crispy."
- "I cook the whole pack in the oven and store it for the week. It takes seconds to reheat as needed."
- "I prefer the oven for most of the time, but I use bacon fat, so I still like to pan-fry it occasionally."
- "I cook it in a cast-iron skillet on the stove or under the broiler in the oven, keeping an eye on it and turning it once."
- "I thread the bacon on a skewer, dust it with brown sugar, and bake it in the oven. It's delicious!"
Non-Traditional Cooking Methods for Bacon
These days, the kitchen seems to be filled with gadgets for every task, and bacon cooking is no exception. Though grandma might turn over in her grave at the thought of microwaving bacon or accusing an air fryer of witchcraft, these modern methods have their share of fans.
- "In the air fryer, it's easy, no splatter, and produces fantastic bacon fat for seasoning!"
- "Microwave between paper towels for 1 minute per slice, plus 15-20 seconds."
- "I prefer the grill, but the oven is a close second."
A Surprising Method: Boiling and Frying Bacon?
While oven-baking, microwaving, air-frying, and grilling bacon make sense, one reader threw us for a loop with this method:
- "Boil water and bacon together, discard the salt water, then fry the bacon."
This method has mixed reviews regarding flavor and looks, but the main issues lie in the lack of usable bacon fat and the wastefulness of the process.
The Advantages of Baking Bacon in the Oven
Oven Cooking vs. Traditional Methods:
- Easy Cleanup: Using a lined baking sheet simplifies clean-up after cooking.
- Consistent Results: The controlled oven environment ensures evenly cooked bacon.
- Less Mess and Splatter: Unlike stovetop cooking, oven-cooked bacon doesn't splatter grease.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once you've placed the bacon in the oven, you can attend to other tasks without constant monitoring.
- Healthier Option: For turkey bacon, baking allows excess fat to drain away, making it a healthier choice.
In conclusion, cooking bacon in the oven provides numerous advantages over traditional methods. Give it a try and see for yourself!
- Some modern Southerners prefer cooking bacon in the oven, finding it ideal for large quantities and easier cleanup.
- One reader suggested a surprising method of boiling and frying bacon, but it has mixed reviews due to lack of usable bacon fat and wastefulness.
- Microwaving bacon between paper towels is a quick method, though it may not be grandma's preferred choice.
- Air frying bacon is another modern method, praised for its easy handling and quality bacon fat.
- Food and recipes website, Southern Living, highlights several kitchen assistant appliances for cooking bacon, prompting debatability among Southerners.
