What’s better than a plateful of crispy and savory bacon with some fluffy pancakes for breakfast? Nothing. There is no denying that bacon is the rightful king of breakfasts.
But what if I tell you that bacon is not just meant for pancakes, waffles, and toast bread? I know for sure that you are aware that bacon is not just a breakfast thing. Bacon, because of its well-rounded taste can be eaten at any time of the day. It can also be paired or mixed with food that may not have crossed your mind up until now. Rest assured that these combinations are a match made in heaven. Let’s have a look at these mind-blowing and creative ways to use bacon!
5. Bacon beer cheese dip
Bacon and cheese are one of the greatest combinations of all time. But bacon + beer + cheese? Strange, you may say, but you can never go wrong with the strong flavor of cheese mixed with the bitter yet sweet profile of beer. What makes it even better is the bacon balances everything.
This recipe from Foodie Crush suggests using cheddar cheese for its strong flavor. However, if you want to tone down the cheese’s kick, you can opt for a medium or mild choice. Also, what makes this dip creamy is the cream cheese that you mix with the cheddar cheese. The cheesier the better, right?
Let’s now move to the interesting part, beer. For this dip, one can of beer already does the work (without making you tipsy). However, you should keep in mind to choose one that has a strong flavor to match the flavor of cheese.
To top it all off, throw in half a pound (you can always break the rules in this part) of chopped crispy bacon on that gorgeous bowl of yellow and white. Adding bacon to this dip makes everything balanced.
Ready your chips and movies, because this is a rollercoaster ride of flavors you will go over and over again.
4. Bacsilog with cheese sauce
Hear ye, hear ye, rice lovers! Bacsilog or bacon + sinangag (fried rice) + itlog (egg) is just one of the many silog dishes that Filipinos on a budget love to eat. This dish may not sound new, but what make bacsilog work is, wait for it, cheese sauce!
Cheese again? Well, yes! What makes this Filipino dish a delight to eat is the creaminess coming from the cheese sauce flowing down the bacon (we suggest strips instead of small pieces 😉), egg, and fried rice. Just imagine mixing a bowl full of fried food with a milky and cheesy sauce. Yum!
Check out this recipe from Yummy.ph and let us know how your cooking fared.
3. Bacon jam
Whether you are getting bored with eating plain bread or you want to revamp last night’s leftover roast kitchen, jams can be your best friend. The thing about jams is that it is super handy whenever you feel a need to add some extra flavor to your toast or dishes. You just grab a few spoonfuls and ta-dah! A freshly made blueberry sandwich is on its way to your stomach.
But not all jams are made with fruits. Some, are remarkably interesting. Have you ever heard of bacon jam? This bacon-based relish is simple to make but is definitely a home run. The only ingredients you need for this recipe are a hefty amount of bacon, shallots, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Remember to keep the bacon fat after frying your bacon slices! Getting rid of it is a sin you shall not commit!
The saltiness of the bacon plus the sweetness of the sugar and maple syrup is a great example of when soulmates meet each other. You never know that they are made for each other but when they finally joined hands, bells start ringing “happily ever after”. Bacon jam is perfectly paired with bread, chips, or even rice. If you feel like opening your kitchen stove or microwave, melted cheese also goes well with this sweet and savory delight.
Still not convinced, check out this easy to make recipe from Delish.
2. Bacon milkshake
Okay. I know you’re probably thinking “can this get crazier?” Trust me, this may sound crazy, but it sure does taste good. Bacon milkshake, contrary to what you may be thinking, is not just bacon blended with milk and served in a tall glass. There’s more to this drink than meets the eye.
Bacon milkshake is actually a mixture of blended bacon, milk, vanilla ice cream, and maple syrup. It’s like your ordinary milkshake but the bacon changes everything. Do you remember when caramel popcorn was introduced to milkshakes? People furrowed their eyebrows as well. But soon, they fell in love with the savory, crunchy, and sweet harmony.
This thirst quencher drink is also about the same. Except that it tastes even better because it uses bacon instead of caramel popcorn. If you are an adventure seeker or just a curious cat, by all means, try this recipe at Betty Crocker.
1. Bacon-wrapped sardines
When we said that everything goes well with bacon, we mean EVERYTHING. Sardines are one of the go-to food we usually pair with bread or rice. Usually sold in cans, sardines have already been a delightful ingredient in many pasta dishes because of its tender features. Wrapping it in bacon though, that is something unfamiliar and exciting.
Bacon-wrapped sardines are bursting with flavorful fish taste matched with savory bacon. Since this dish can be a little overwhelming on the savory side, it goes well when eaten with bread and rice to balance the flavor.
For this dish, the bacon adds the crunchiness that every bite is like going to different places at once. It has strong and complex flavors combined in one, easy-to-make yet, elegant cuisine. Any type of sardine can be used for this recipe but the fried and oil-based one just lifts up the food palette to a higher level.
If you are up to take the heaven-sent bacon a little twist for your next cooking adventure, try these unique dishes. Not only will this make your pots and plates exciting, but it will surely deliver rich flavors to your heart’s content.