In my opinion, everyone loves bacon. There are only two reasons why I can see someone not liking bacon, you are insane you are a real live pig…and that would just be weird if you DID like bacon. Since I am neither, okay maybe a little bit insane…but not completely, we love bacon in our house. I grew up eating pork, lots of pork. My dad is a “pig guy. We always had bacon, sausage, or chops on the table. In fact, the first time I brought my hubby-to-be home with me, my dad made this ridiculously great jalapeno sausage. We didn’t have anything but sausage, bacon, and ham for breakfast. The meat only breakfast made a lasting impression on my hubby.
September 4th was International Bacon Day. Who was the genius that thought that up?! I could probably kiss them for being so thoughtful! Smithfield was super kind and send us some delish bacon to celebrate! Knowing what I know about bacon, I knew that you are suppose to look at the amount of pink (the actual meat) to the amount of what (the fat). Obviously, you want more pink than white. I was incredibly impressed with the amount meat to fat. I have tired quite a few different varieties of bacon in my house, and I know that not all bacon has this much meat! Not only was this a very lean bacon, it had so much flavor! We had the hickory smoked variety and it was a major hit with me, the hubs and all 4 kids!!
“For more than two centuries, the colonial town of Smithfield,Virginia, founded in 1752, has been shipping the finest hams to satisfied customers around the world. Today, thanks to the vision of a Virginia family and its patriarch, Joseph Luter, that tradition not only continues but has grown into something of a legend. Joseph W. Luter & Joseph W. Luter, Jr. founded the Smithfield Packing Company along a tributary of the historic James River. Over sixty years later, the “Genuine Smithfield Ham” that brought them worldwide acclaim is still produced only here in Smithfield. And thanks to a new generation of Luters, Joseph III and Joseph IV, Smithfield boasts a line of quality meats so vast, it’s helped make the parent company, Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD), the world’s largest producer of pork products.”
If there is one thing that I dislike about bacon (I can’t use the word hate…cuz you can’t hate anything about bacon) I don’t love cooking the bacon on the stove, the griddle, or anything that splatters. I have ruined more than one shirt frying up the good stuff. My new favorite way to cook bacon is in the oven. At my house, we cut the strips of bacon in half. With 4 little ones, they always want more then 1 piece, but sometimes their eyes are bigger then their tummies. So, I start with cutting them in half and then lining them on a baking sheet. I preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Once I hear the beep to tell me it is preheated, I pop the pan in. Depending on the thickness of the bacon,I cook it for 10-20 minutes.
Be sure to check it as you go, cuz the thin ones cook FAST! My favorite part about doing bacon like this (besides the non-splatter) is that I can be doing the rest of my breakfast while the bacon cooks. There is no turning or watching necessary. If I ruin something in my breakfast, it is usually the bacon on the stove…it can get hot and crispy pretty quick! Next time you are at the grocery store, check the bacon section for Smithfield. If you are looking for a retailer close to your house, check out their retailer finder. You will not be sorry! I can’t wait to give their other products a try! The brown sugar spiral sliced ham and the pork tenderloin are what got me going! Oh man, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!! I love pork and I have a new love for Smithfield! Real Mom Approved!!
