Liver and bacon is a classic dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s a hearty and flavorful meal that is perfect for any occasion.
While it may seem intimidating to cook liver, it’s actually quite simple when done in the oven. In this article, we will show you how to make this delicious dish step-by-step.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, you’ll be able to impress your family and friends with this tasty recipe. So, let’s get started!
How To Cook Liver And Bacon In The Oven?
To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, prepare your ingredients. You will need bacon, onions, butter, wine, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, water, and liver.
Next, place half of the chopped bacon in a baking dish. Top with the onions in an even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining bacon. Dot the bacon with the butter.
In a mixing cup, combine the wine, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, and water. Gently pour over all. Cover the pan and place in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Dust the liver slices with flour. Place on top of the bacon. Cover the pan and bake at 350 degrees for another 30 minutes, basting the liver occasionally with the liquid in the pan.
Remove the cover from the pan and continue baking for 10 more minutes or until the liver is cooked through.
Alternatively, you can also try this method: Cover a cookie sheet with tin foil and spray generously with cooking spray. On one plate add flour and season it with salt and pepper, on the second plate put your bread crumbs on it. In a bowl beat your egg and add milk.
Take liver slices and lightly flour, then dip them in the egg mixture then the bread crumbs and lay them close together on prepared cookie sheet. Follow this method till all pieces of liver are done.
Once you are done, place 2 1/2 slices of bacon on each piece of liver. Bake at 350 degrees oven until the bacon is crisp and brown and the liver is done (about 35 minutes).
Ingredients Needed For Liver And Bacon In The Oven
To make Liver and Bacon in the Oven, you will need the following ingredients:
– Slices of liver enough to feed your family
– Seasoned bread crumbs
– 1 Egg with 1/4 cup milk beaten
– Bacon slices cut in half enough bacon for each piece of liver
– Onions for frying
– Butter
– Wine
– Parsley
– Bay leaf
– Thyme
– Salt
– Pepper
– Water
Make sure to prepare all the ingredients before starting with the recipe. You can adjust the amount of ingredients based on the number of people you are cooking for. With these ingredients, you can make a delicious Liver and Bacon dish that is perfect for any occasion.
Preparing The Liver For Cooking
Before cooking liver, it is important to properly prepare it to ensure the best flavor and texture. Start by gently rinsing the liver slices under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. Then, you have a few options to remove any bitterness from the liver.
One option is to soak the liver slices in milk or buttermilk for 30 minutes to 2 hours. This will help to mellow out the strong flavor of the liver. Alternatively, you can soak the liver in lemon or lime juice, vinegar, or even just water overnight to achieve a similar effect.
If you are short on time, you can also skip the soaking step and simply coat the liver slices in flour or arrowroot powder before cooking. This will help to create a crispy exterior and seal in the juices of the liver.
Once your liver is prepped and ready to go, you can proceed with cooking it according to your recipe of choice. Whether you choose to bake it in the oven with bacon and onions or fry it up in a skillet, taking the time to properly prepare your liver will ensure that it turns out delicious every time.
Preparing The Bacon For Cooking
When it comes to cooking liver and bacon in the oven, preparing the bacon is an important step to ensure that it cooks evenly and to your desired level of crispiness. There are several methods to cook bacon in the oven, including lining a baking tray with parchment paper and placing the bacon side-by-side on the tray, or using a broiler to quickly cook the bacon to produce an evenly crisp finish.
For this recipe, we recommend using the first method mentioned above. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Lay out as many bacon strips as will fit snuggly without overlapping. Cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes or until it’s reached your desired level of crispiness. Make sure to check on it after about 10 minutes, as some ovens cook faster.
Once the bacon is cooked, remove the tray from the oven and transfer the bacon with tongs to a paper towel-lined plate. If you’re rendering the bacon fat, line a fine mesh sieve with a paper towel. Then place the sieve over a glass storage container and pour the bacon fat from the sheet tray into the sieve. Cover the glass storage container and place it in the refrigerator for future cooking needs.
By preparing your bacon ahead of time, you can ensure that it’s cooked perfectly and adds delicious flavor to your liver and bacon dish.
Serving Suggestions And Variations On The Classic Recipe
Liver and bacon is a classic dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions and variations to try:
1. Serve with Mashed Potatoes: The creamy texture of mashed potatoes pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of liver and bacon. Simply mash boiled potatoes with butter, milk, and salt to taste.
2. Add Some Greens: To balance out the richness of the dish, serve it with some freshly cooked greens like spinach or kale. Sauté them in a little olive oil and garlic for added flavor.
3. Make It Spicy: For an added kick, try adding a homemade Cajun spice mix to your flour coating before cooking the liver. This will give it a slightly spicy flavor that pairs well with the smoky bacon.
4. Use Different Types of Liver: While beef liver is the most common type used in this dish, you can also try using chicken or pork liver for a slightly different flavor.
5. Make It Gluten-Free: If you have gluten sensitivities, simply substitute the flour coating with a gluten-free alternative like almond flour or cornmeal.
6. Try Different Sauces: While the classic onion gravy is delicious, you can also experiment with different sauces like mushroom or red wine sauce to add some variety to your dish.
7. Serve It With Bread: To soak up all the delicious juices from the dish, serve it with some crusty bread or rolls on the side.
By trying out these serving suggestions and variations, you can elevate this classic dish into something truly special and unique.
Tips For Cooking Liver And Bacon To Perfection
Cooking liver and bacon to perfection can be a challenging task, but with the right tips, you can achieve a delicious and tender result. Here are some tips to help you cook liver and bacon to perfection:
1. Choose the right type of liver: Calf’s liver is the most tender liver and is best for cooking. Make sure to slice it thinly and cook it briefly over high heat.
2. Soak the liver in milk: Soaking the liver in milk for 30-60 minutes before cooking will help remove any bitterness and make it more tender.
3. Cook the bacon first: Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove it from the pan and set it aside. Use the bacon grease to cook the liver slices for added flavor.
4. Don’t overcook the liver: Overcooked liver can become tough and rubbery, so make sure to cook it just until it’s no longer pink in the middle. You can cut into it to check if it’s cooked through.
5. Baste the liver with liquid: If you’re cooking liver in the oven, basting it with liquid from the pan will keep it moist and tender.
6. Use herbs and spices: Adding herbs like thyme, parsley, or bay leaf can enhance the flavor of liver and bacon dishes.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to cook liver and bacon to perfection every time.