BACON GREASE—It Brings SO MUCH JOY and SATISFACTION!
Basically, bacon is simply irresistible. If I could figure out a way to create a bacon perfume, I’d do it. Meanwhile, let’s make good use of its grease. Savvy cooks know it’s worth saving—it’s an excellent natural resource. So here are some clever ideas from Linda at Food Storage Moms (www.foodstoragemoms.com) on how to use it:
SEASON CAST IRON. Using bacon grease to season it is a way to protect it from rust, AND it adds delicious flavor to the pan (a hint of bacon in your meals is a win-win).
ROAST VEGETABLES. While the typical vegetable-roasting approach is to prep them with a drizzle of olive oil, but using bacon grease will adds a special flavor layer that’s scrumptious.
MAKE SALAD DRESSING. We all need to eat more salad, and what a tempting way to do so. A hint of bacon flavor in a dressing…’nough said.
MAKE BACONNAISE. Would a bacon-flavored mayonnaise add excitement to a sandwich, or what? Try this recipe and report back.
2 egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash white pepper
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup bacon drippings melted
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (ACV, optional)
Directions:
Add Recipe to Cook'n
FRY BURGERS. It might be too cold to grill in most places, but don’t give up the burger ship. Fry them instead, and do it in bacon grease. Yummo!
MAKE GRILLED CHEESERS. Yes, butter is what usually coats the bread on a grilled cheese sandwich, but hey, why not go with a little bacon grease? And don’t stop there; layer in a few bacon pieces for texture as well. I know the idea sounds a bit odd, but what’s a little experimenting going to hurt?
MAKE FRENCH TOAST. For those that love sweet and salty together, cooking this breakfast favorite in bacon grease is a no-brainer.
POP CORN. Bacon-flavored popcorn…who knew?
BAKE WITH IT. Try it in cornbread, biscuits, tortillas, even cookies (see MAKE FRENCH TOAST for the logic).
MAKE DOGGIE TREATS. This would be YOUR version of the commercial brand of dog snack, Beggin Strips®. Just add bacon grease to your favorite homemade dog treat recipe and get ready for canine devotion beyond imagination!
START FIRES. Bonfires, that is. Stuff the cups of a paper egg carton with shredded paper, then fill each cup with bacon grease. When ready to burn, just cut 2 or 3 cups from the carton and place them with your tinder and twigs.
MAKE A BIRD FEEDER. Birds love the smell and taste of bacon just as much as humans. Find a pinecone and attach a hanging loop to the top of it. Mix bacon grease and peanut butter until thoroughly combined. Stuff the pinecone with this concoction, then roll the whole thing in birdseed.
Isn’t it wonderful that in these complicated, nutsy times, something as simple as bacon grease can bring so much joy and satisfaction!
SEASON CAST IRON. Using bacon grease to season it is a way to protect it from rust, AND it adds delicious flavor to the pan (a hint of bacon in your meals is a win-win).
ROAST VEGETABLES. While the typical vegetable-roasting approach is to prep them with a drizzle of olive oil, but using bacon grease will adds a special flavor layer that’s scrumptious.
MAKE SALAD DRESSING. We all need to eat more salad, and what a tempting way to do so. A hint of bacon flavor in a dressing…’nough said.
MAKE BACONNAISE. Would a bacon-flavored mayonnaise add excitement to a sandwich, or what? Try this recipe and report back.
Baconnaise
Yield: 1 1/4 cups
Ingredients:
2 egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash white pepper
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup bacon drippings melted
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (ACV, optional)
Directions:
1. In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, constantly whisk the egg yolks, water and lemon juice until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Gently cooking the eggs this way makes them safe to eat without compromising the texture of the mayonnaise.
2. After taking the pan off the heat, keep stirring, and quickly place the bottom of the pan in a bowl of ice water. Continue stirring for 2 minutes or until cooled.
3. Transfer to a blender. Add salt and pepper to taste; add ACV if using. Start processing, adding oil and bacon grease in a steady stream, slowly at first and more steadily as the mayonnaise thickens. (Adding oil too quickly might cause the mayo to split.) When the mayo is the texture you like, you’re done! Know that it will thicken more as it cools.
4. Transfer the mayo to a small bowl. Serve or cover and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
2. After taking the pan off the heat, keep stirring, and quickly place the bottom of the pan in a bowl of ice water. Continue stirring for 2 minutes or until cooled.
3. Transfer to a blender. Add salt and pepper to taste; add ACV if using. Start processing, adding oil and bacon grease in a steady stream, slowly at first and more steadily as the mayonnaise thickens. (Adding oil too quickly might cause the mayo to split.) When the mayo is the texture you like, you’re done! Know that it will thicken more as it cools.
4. Transfer the mayo to a small bowl. Serve or cover and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
FRY BURGERS. It might be too cold to grill in most places, but don’t give up the burger ship. Fry them instead, and do it in bacon grease. Yummo!
MAKE GRILLED CHEESERS. Yes, butter is what usually coats the bread on a grilled cheese sandwich, but hey, why not go with a little bacon grease? And don’t stop there; layer in a few bacon pieces for texture as well. I know the idea sounds a bit odd, but what’s a little experimenting going to hurt?
MAKE FRENCH TOAST. For those that love sweet and salty together, cooking this breakfast favorite in bacon grease is a no-brainer.
POP CORN. Bacon-flavored popcorn…who knew?
BAKE WITH IT. Try it in cornbread, biscuits, tortillas, even cookies (see MAKE FRENCH TOAST for the logic).
MAKE DOGGIE TREATS. This would be YOUR version of the commercial brand of dog snack, Beggin Strips®. Just add bacon grease to your favorite homemade dog treat recipe and get ready for canine devotion beyond imagination!
START FIRES. Bonfires, that is. Stuff the cups of a paper egg carton with shredded paper, then fill each cup with bacon grease. When ready to burn, just cut 2 or 3 cups from the carton and place them with your tinder and twigs.
MAKE A BIRD FEEDER. Birds love the smell and taste of bacon just as much as humans. Find a pinecone and attach a hanging loop to the top of it. Mix bacon grease and peanut butter until thoroughly combined. Stuff the pinecone with this concoction, then roll the whole thing in birdseed.
Isn’t it wonderful that in these complicated, nutsy times, something as simple as bacon grease can bring so much joy and satisfaction!
Sources:
- www.simplyrecipes.com
- www.spendwithpennies.com
- www.thelabradorsite.com
- www.momwifebusylife.com
- www.fedandfit.com
Alice Osborne
Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
Email the author! alice@dvo.com
