Are you a fan of bacon but tired of the same old frying routine? Look no further than sliced peameal bacon!
This Canadian delicacy is a leaner alternative to traditional bacon and can be cooked in a variety of ways. In this article, we’ll focus on how to cook sliced peameal bacon in the oven for a delicious and easy breakfast option.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Sliced Peameal Bacon In The Oven?
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven is heating up, take your sliced peameal bacon out of its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel.
Next, place the peameal bacon slices in a baking dish, making sure they are not overlapping. Score the top of the meat with a sharp knife, cutting about 1/2 inch deep. Make diagonal cuts and then cut the same lines at a 90 degree angle. This will help the bacon cook evenly and allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Brush maple syrup on top of the bacon slices, covering them evenly. This will add a touch of sweetness to the savory flavor of the bacon.
Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven. Bake for one hour, then remove the foil and continue cooking until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take an additional 15-20 minutes.
Once cooked, remove the bacon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
What Is Sliced Peameal Bacon?
Sliced peameal bacon is a delicious breakfast staple that is made from lean boneless pork loin that has been trimmed of fat, wet cured in a pickling brine, and then rolled in cornmeal. Unlike traditional bacon, peameal bacon is not smoked, but it is still packed with flavor.
To make sliced peameal bacon, the pork loin is first soaked in a brine of Prague Powder #
Why Cook Peameal Bacon In The Oven?
Cooking sliced peameal bacon in the oven is a great way to achieve a perfectly cooked, juicy and flavorful bacon. Unlike other cooking methods, such as frying or grilling, cooking peameal bacon in the oven allows the meat to cook more evenly and thoroughly. Additionally, it requires less attention and effort compared to other cooking methods.
When cooking peameal bacon in the oven, you can also add different flavors and ingredients to enhance its taste. For example, brushing maple syrup on top of the bacon slices adds a touch of sweetness that complements the salty flavor of the meat. You can also experiment with different glazes and rubs to create unique and delicious flavor combinations.
Another advantage of cooking peameal bacon in the oven is that it is a healthier option compared to other pork products such as ham or regular bacon. Peameal bacon has lower levels of fat and saturated fat, making it a great alternative for those who want to indulge in pork products without compromising their health.
Preparing Your Peameal Bacon For The Oven
To prepare your peameal bacon for the oven, start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Take your sliced peameal bacon out of its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. This will help the bacon cook more evenly and prevent any excess moisture from affecting the texture.
Next, place the bacon slices in a baking dish, making sure they are not overlapping. It’s important to give each slice enough space so that they cook evenly and don’t stick together.
Using a sharp knife, score the top of the bacon slices, cutting about 1/2 inch deep. Make diagonal cuts and then cut the same lines at a 90 degree angle. This will create a diamond pattern on the surface of the bacon, which will help it cook more evenly and allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Brush maple syrup on top of the bacon slices, covering them evenly. This will add a touch of sweetness to the savory flavor of the bacon and create a delicious glaze on top.
Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven. Bake for one hour, then remove the foil and continue cooking until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take an additional 15-20 minutes.
Once cooked, remove the bacon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful. Now your delicious peameal bacon is ready to be enjoyed!
Cooking Your Peameal Bacon In The Oven
Cooking your peameal bacon in the oven is a great way to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior. There are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure your bacon turns out perfectly.
First, use a cooling rack on top of a large rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. This will allow the bacon to cook evenly and prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Place the bacon slices on the cooling rack, making sure they are not overlapping. This will allow the heat to circulate around each slice, ensuring they cook evenly.
Bake the bacon in the center of the oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Baste the bacon with any remaining maple syrup mixture halfway through cooking. Continue baking for an additional 50-60 minutes, or until a thermometer registers 130°F/55°C.
Once the bacon reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
If you want to add a glaze to your peameal bacon, turn up the oven to 450°F and brush on your desired glaze. Return the bacon to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the glaze has browned and set.
Serving Suggestions For Your Peameal Bacon
Peameal bacon is a versatile ingredient that can be served in many different ways. Here are some serving suggestions to try:
1. Breakfast: Pan-fry the peameal bacon and serve it with eggs, toast, and all your favorite breakfast dishes. You can also use it to make your own version of an Egg McMuffin.
2. Sandwiches: Fried or grilled slices of peameal bacon can be piled high on a sandwich with fried onions for added flavor.
3. Roasted: Roast the peameal bacon and serve it with au gratin potatoes and all your favorite sides.
4. Smoked: Smoked peameal bacon is a thing of beauty, and can be served as-is or thinly sliced and used to make pizza.
5. Slow cooker: Use a Canadian peameal bacon roast to make a delicious alternative to German “Kasseler”. Simply place the roast in a slow cooker with sauerkraut, let it cook until supper time, and then thicken the liquid with a cornstarch slurry.
No matter how you choose to serve it, peameal bacon is sure to add a delicious and unique flavor to any dish.
Tips And Tricks For Perfectly Cooked Peameal Bacon Every Time
Cooking peameal bacon in the oven can be a bit tricky, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to achieve perfectly cooked peameal bacon every time.
1. Score the bacon: Scoring the top of the bacon with a sharp knife will help it cook evenly and allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Make diagonal cuts and then cut the same lines at a 90 degree angle.
2. Use maple syrup: Brushing maple syrup on top of the bacon slices before baking will add a touch of sweetness to the savory flavor of the bacon.
3. Cover with foil: Covering the baking dish with foil will help keep the moisture in and prevent the bacon from drying out.
4. Use a meat thermometer: To ensure that your peameal bacon is cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. The bacon should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Let it rest: Once cooked, let the bacon rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to cook sliced peameal bacon in the oven with ease and achieve delicious results every time.