Are you a fan of peameal bacon?
This delicious breakfast meat is a healthier alternative to regular bacon, thanks to its lean cut of meat.
But how do you know when it’s cooked to perfection?
In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to cook peameal bacon and how to tell when it’s ready to serve.
From griddling to baking, we’ll cover all the methods so you can enjoy this tasty treat with confidence.
So, grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Tell If Peameal Bacon Is Cooked?
Peameal bacon is a boneless, cured pig loin that is rolled in cornmeal after being wet cured. Unlike regular bacon, peameal bacon must be cooked before serving. But how do you know when it’s cooked to perfection?
The best way to tell if peameal bacon is cooked is by checking its internal temperature. The ideal temperature for cooked peameal bacon is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the meat.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can also check the color and texture of the meat. Cooked peameal bacon should have a golden brown color on the outside and be moist and juicy on the inside. If it looks dry or has a grayish color, it may not be fully cooked.
What Is Peameal Bacon And How To Prepare It
Peameal bacon is a type of bacon made from boneless pork loin that has been wet-cured and rolled in cornmeal. It is a popular breakfast meat in Canada, especially in the province of Ontario.
To prepare peameal bacon, you can either slice it into 1/4-inch thick slices and grill or pan-fry them, roast a whole peameal bacon at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, then rest for 5 minutes, slice, and serve. You can also pop the whole thing onto the rotisserie or smoke it.
To make the cure for peameal bacon, combine water, kosher salt, maple syrup, brown sugar, pink salt, bay leaves, garlic, and peppercorns in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Transfer to a large container and stir in remaining water. Place in refrigerator until completely chilled. Fully submerge pork loin in cure and let sit in refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
After the pork loin has been cured, remove it from the cure and place it in a large container. Add enough fresh water to fully submerge the loin. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then remove pork from water and pat dry with paper towels.
Fire up the smoker or grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit, adding chunks of smoking wood when at temperature. When the wood is ignited and producing smoke, place the pork in and cook until an instant-read thermometer registers 140 degrees Fahrenheit when inserted into thickest part of the pork loin, about 2 to 3 hours.
Once your peameal bacon is cooked to perfection, slice it up and enjoy with your favorite sides!
Griddling Peameal Bacon: Tips And Tricks
Griddling peameal bacon is a popular cooking method that results in crispy and flavorful bacon. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure that your peameal bacon is cooked to perfection on the griddle:
1. Preheat your griddle: Before placing the peameal bacon on the griddle, make sure that it is preheated to the right temperature. A temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for cooking peameal bacon.
2. Use a non-stick spray: To prevent the peameal bacon from sticking to the griddle, use a non-stick spray or brush some oil on the surface of the griddle.
3. Cook in batches: It’s important not to overcrowd the griddle when cooking peameal bacon. Make sure that there is enough space between each slice to ensure even cooking.
4. Flip only once: To get the perfect crispiness, flip the peameal bacon only once during cooking. Flipping it too often can make it dry and tough.
5. Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer or check the color and texture of the meat to ensure that it’s fully cooked. When it’s done, remove it from the griddle and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that your peameal bacon is cooked to perfection on the griddle every time.
Baking Peameal Bacon: How To Get The Perfect Crisp
If you want to achieve the perfect crisp for your peameal bacon, baking it in the oven is a great option. Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the peameal bacon roast, skin side up, in a baking dish.
3. Score the top of the meat by making diagonal cuts about 1/2 inch deep. Then, make the same cuts at a 90 degree angle.
4. Brush maple syrup on top of the roast.
5. Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven.
6. Bake for one hour.
7. Remove the foil and continue cooking until the roast reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
8. For an extra crispy crust, remove the peameal bacon from the oven and turn on the broiler. Brush a mixture of equal parts jam and mustard onto the outer cornmeal crust and broil for 1-3 minutes until golden brown.
It’s important to let your peameal bacon temper to room temperature by taking it out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes prior to cooking to get the best results. Additionally, make sure to pat your meat dry before roasting to ensure it browns properly. You can lay the roast on a rack over a baking sheet to allow it to cook more evenly and cover the baking sheet with foil for easier clean up. The glaze helps seal in moisture and adds flavor, but be sure to add it towards the end of cooking to prevent burning. With these tips, you’ll be able to achieve the perfect crispy peameal bacon roast every time!
Serving Suggestions For Peameal Bacon: Delicious Ways To Enjoy This Breakfast Meat
Peameal bacon is a versatile meat that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are some delicious serving suggestions to try:
1. Breakfast Sandwich: One of the most popular ways to enjoy peameal bacon is in a breakfast sandwich. Fry up some slices and serve on a toasted English muffin with a fried egg, cheese, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
2. Grilled Cheese: Add some slices of peameal bacon to your grilled cheese sandwich for a delicious twist on a classic comfort food.
3. Salad Topper: Crumble up some cooked peameal bacon and sprinkle it over your favorite salad for added flavor and crunch.
4. Pizza Topping: Use sliced peameal bacon as a topping on your homemade pizza for a unique and tasty twist.
5. BLT: Swap out regular bacon for peameal bacon in your classic BLT sandwich for a Canadian twist on an American classic.
6. Soup or Chowder: Add chopped peameal bacon to your favorite soup or chowder recipe for added flavor and protein.
7. Stir Fry: Add sliced peameal bacon to your favorite stir fry recipe for a delicious and hearty addition.
No matter how you choose to serve it, peameal bacon is sure to add delicious flavor to any dish. Just make sure to cook it properly before enjoying!