Are you a fan of bacon but looking for something a little different?
Look no further than peameal bacon!
This Canadian specialty is made from a center-cut pork loin that’s been wet-cured and rolled in cornmeal, resulting in a tender and juicy inside with a crispy coating.
While it may be hard to find in the United States, it’s definitely worth seeking out for its unique flavor and texture.
In this article, we’ll explore where you can buy peameal bacon in the USA and how to cook it to perfection.
So get ready to add a new twist to your breakfast routine!
Where Can I Buy Peameal Bacon In The USA?
Peameal bacon may not be as widely available in the USA as traditional bacon, but there are still a few options for those looking to try it out.
One option is to order it online from specialty food retailers such as Canadian Bacon & Maple Treats or The Great Canadian Meat Company. These companies offer authentic Canadian peameal bacon that can be shipped directly to your door.
Another option is to check with local specialty food stores or butchers in your area. While it may not be a regular item on their shelves, they may be able to special order it for you or have it available during certain times of the year.
If you’re lucky enough to live near the Canadian border, you may also be able to find peameal bacon at local markets or grocery stores that cater to Canadian customers.
What Is Peameal Bacon?
Peameal bacon is a type of wet-cured, unsmoked back bacon that is made from trimmed lean boneless pork loin. It is rolled in cornmeal, which gives it a unique texture and flavor. The curing process involves immersing the pork loin in a maple brine, which adds a sweet and savory flavor to the meat.
Peameal bacon is a Canadian icon and is often referred to as “Canadian bacon.” It is a specialty product that is not as widely available in the USA as traditional bacon. However, it has gained popularity in recent years and can be found at specialty food stores or ordered online from Canadian food retailers.
Peameal bacon can be sliced and cooked in a variety of ways, such as frying, grilling, barbequing, or baking. It is often enjoyed as a breakfast side dish but can also be used in sandwiches or as a topping for salads. Its tender and juicy texture, combined with the crisp coating of cornmeal, makes it a must-try for any bacon lover looking for something unique and delicious.
The History Of Peameal Bacon In Canada
Peameal bacon has a rich history in Canada, particularly in Toronto where it is considered a signature dish. The origins of peameal bacon can be traced back to William Davies, a pork packer who came to Canada from England in 1854. Davies is credited with developing the wet-cured, unsmoked back bacon made from trimmed lean boneless pork loin rolled in cornmeal that we know today as peameal bacon.
Originally, peameal bacon was rolled in dried and ground yellow peas to extend its shelf life. However, since the end of World War I, it has been rolled in ground yellow cornmeal. Peameal bacon sandwiches, consisting of cooked peameal bacon on a Kaiser roll and sometimes topped with mustard or other toppings, are often considered a signature dish of Toronto, particularly from Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market.
Toronto’s nickname “Hogtown” was derived from the millions of pigs processed annually by the William Davies Company. By the early 1900s, the company was the largest pork packer in the British Empire and operated Canada’s first major chain of food stores. Canadian cured pork was an important food product in Britain well into the Second World War, when the Bacon Agreement stipulated that the U.K. would accept no less than 5.6 million pounds of Canadian ham and bacon each week.
Today, peameal bacon is still produced by Maple Leaf Foods, which was originally part of William Davies Company. While it may not be as popular as traditional bacon, peameal bacon remains a beloved Canadian specialty that has become a part of Canadian culinary history.
Why Is Peameal Bacon Hard To Find In The USA?
Peameal bacon is a unique and delicious Canadian breakfast food that is not as widely available in the USA as traditional bacon. One reason for this is that peameal bacon is not as well-known or popular in the USA as it is in Canada. While it may be a staple in Canadian households, it is not as commonly consumed or requested by Americans.
Another reason why peameal bacon is hard to find in the USA is that it requires a specialized curing process that is different from traditional bacon. Peameal bacon is wet-cured, which means that it is injected with a brining or curing solution, or the pork loin may be submerged in brine for as long as a week. This process requires specialized equipment and knowledge, which may not be readily available in all American meat processing facilities.
Lastly, peameal bacon has a shorter shelf life than traditional bacon due to its wet-curing process and lack of preservatives. This means that it may not be as profitable for American retailers to stock peameal bacon, as it may have a higher risk of spoilage and waste.
Despite these challenges, there are still ways for Americans to enjoy the delicious taste of peameal bacon. By ordering online from specialty food retailers, checking with local specialty food stores or butchers, or visiting markets near the Canadian border, Americans can get their hands on this unique and tasty Canadian breakfast food.
How To Cook Peameal Bacon
Cooking peameal bacon is a simple process that requires minimal preparation. To begin, unwrap the peameal bacon and remove any plastic wrap around the meat. Pat it dry with a paper towel.
Next, prepare the pickling liquid by adding water, cider vinegar, salt, sugar, mustard seed, hot sauce, celery seed, bay leaf, and black peppercorn to a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and add ice to cool.
Place the pork loin in a large zipper bag and add the cooled pickling liquid. Remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Refrigerate for at least four days and up to two weeks. If you desire a truly authentic Canadian peameal bacon experience, roll it in cornmeal before cooking.
To cook the peameal bacon, slice it up and fry it in a nonstick pan with a little oil. Alternatively, you can cook it on a griddle or outdoor grill. Cook it like you would any other bacon, but keep in mind that peameal bacon is low in fat itself.
Peameal bacon is typically served in at least somewhat of a breakfast setting alongside eggs and toast, or maybe with some canned beans. Enjoy this delicious Canadian specialty!
Delicious Peameal Bacon Recipe Ideas
Now that you’ve secured some delicious peameal bacon, it’s time to start cooking! Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:
1. Peameal Bacon Sandwich: Keep it simple and classic with a peameal bacon sandwich. Fry up some slices of peameal bacon and place them between two slices of bread. Add your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, and mustard for a satisfying lunch or snack.
2. Peameal Bacon and Egg Breakfast: Start your day off right with a hearty breakfast of peameal bacon and eggs. Fry up some slices of peameal bacon and cook your eggs to your liking. Serve with toast and fresh fruit for a balanced meal.
3. Peameal Bacon BLT: Take your classic BLT sandwich to the next level by swapping out traditional bacon for peameal bacon. Fry up some slices of peameal bacon and assemble your sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for a delicious twist on a classic.
4. Peameal Bacon Quiche: Use peameal bacon as the star ingredient in a savory quiche. Combine eggs, milk, cheese, and chopped up peameal bacon in a pie crust and bake until golden brown. Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
5. Peameal Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin: Impress your dinner guests with this show-stopping dish. Wrap a pork tenderloin in slices of peameal bacon and roast in the oven until tender and juicy. Serve with roasted vegetables for a delicious and satisfying meal.
No matter how you choose to enjoy it, peameal bacon is sure to become a new favorite in your household. So go ahead and experiment with these recipe ideas or come up with your own unique creations using this delicious Canadian specialty!