Mastering the art of crispy bacon: Tips and techniques
Sliced bacon, contrary to appearances, is not easy to prepare. You need high-quality meat—not too lean or fatty—and attention while frying. The slices should be flipped at the right moment, or they might end up burnt or not browned enough. As the British say, bacon should be "crispy," meaning crunchy.
For meat-eaters, fried or baked bacon is a versatile addition. From scrambled eggs for breakfast to party snacks, the uses for bacon in Polish cuisine are endless. However, crispy bacon in the form of twisted strips or spirals comes to us from the United States. Although not easily digestible, bacon certainly has its charm.
What kind of bacon for crispy slices for scrambled eggs?
The key to success is thinly sliced pieces. If you don't have a slicer at home, don't buy whole bacon. You can ask the butcher to slice the meat for you, although you might be refused. Therefore, the best solution is to buy high-quality bacon already sliced.
Crispy, thin slices of bacon can be made from raw, smoked, or boiled meat, though the final effect will vary slightly for each. Raw bacon would be the best option, but it's seldom found in slices. This leaves smoked or boiled varieties. Personally, I choose smoked, as it has a more pronounced flavour and doesn't require additional seasoning.
A small addition for browning the crust
When frying bacon in a pan, it's worth adding a bit of real butter. But don't rush this step. Place the slices of bacon on a dry and cold pan. Turn the burner to medium heat and let the fat gradually render out of the meat. When the bacon begins to brown, add a tablespoon of butter. Spread it across the pan so that it slides under the browning slices. After about 5 minutes, flip the bacon to the other side.
Crispy bacon from the oven
To prepare crispy slices in the oven, another addition that's surely in your kitchen will come in handy. Lightly sprinkle the bacon with a small amount of flour and place it in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius for about 15 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the slices to the other side.
You can also use the grill option in the oven, which is an even quicker solution. Slices placed on racks will be ready in just 5 minutes, but keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. One minute too long, and instead of crispy red slices, you'll serve burnt and tough chips.
