Today was just a typical summer day for us – a little swimming, a little errand running, a little resting, a little playing – and I was honestly wondering how in the sam hill I was going to write a blog post tonight considering the deep level of mundane we’ve got going on over here. I mean, would you like to hear about the new sunscreen I bought today at Target? Or the pile of towels I haven’t folded? Or how I can’t seem to get the water out of my ears and keep asking people to repeat things? Or how I pulled out the Windex this morning because our coffee table glass is all smudgy and here it is sixteen hours later and that coffee table has still not seen fit to grab hold of that Windex and CLEAN ITS OWN DADGUM SELF, CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE THE NERVE?
But tonight I was flipping between HGTV and Food Network – as I tend to do on all the days that end in “y” – and do you know what show was about to come on Food Network? DO YOU KNOW?
A show called “The Best Thing I Ever Ate – With Bacon.”
(!!!)
It was like I had died and gone to fried pork heaven, y’all.
(And do you know what you do in fried pork heaven? You talk incessantly about bacon. THEN YOU EAT IT.)
I won’t spoil all the delightful bacon-related details in case you haven’t seen the show yet, but I didn’t just watch that show: I talked back to it. I almost shouted “AMEN” one time, but I caught myself and just said “YESSIR” instead. However, I’m pretty sure that if I’d had a handkerchief in my hand I would’ve waved it. And a couple of times the food looked so good that I thought about standing up and stomping my feet in affirmation, but I figured my husband was probably disturbed enough that I was talking back to a TV show about bacon, so I erred on the side of restraint.
Anyway, watching the show made me think about the best thing I’ve ever eaten with bacon, and initially I decided that I’m a purist – someone who likes thick-sliced bacon fried really crispy, the end. But then I remembered the first time I cooked Spicy Barbecued Shrimp – eight or nine years ago, probably – and after I tasted it I thought oh, the bacon TOTALLY transforms the flavor of this dish. To this day it’s one of my favorite recipes, and in light of tonight’s TV show, I thought I’d share it with y’all.
And this is not an original recipe, mind you. It’s from Southern Living, but since I can’t find it on SL’s recipe site anymore, I’ll just type it out here. Because apparently it’s very important to me that we all enjoy the bacon.
1/4 pound bacon, chopped
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled, medium-size fresh shrimp
Saute’ bacon a large skillet until crisp. Add butter and next 4 ingredients, and cook over medium heat until onion is tender. Stir in lemon juice and shrimp; cook, stirring often, 5 to 7 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Serve with French bread. Makes 3 to 4 main dish servings or 8 appetizer servings.
One amendment to the recipe: after you eat all your shrimp, you really need to sop up the remaining butter and bacon grease and seasoning with your French bread. I just want to encourage you to do that, okay? It’s BACON-INFUSED BUTTER, for crying out loud. There’s just no good reason to be timid. Except for the sake of your cholesterol, of course, but you can worry about that another time.
And by all means, if you have any bacon-related recipes (or lo, even bacon-related memories) that you’d like to share with the class, I think I can speak for all of us and say THE INTERNET WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL.
In fact, if I may paraphrase something that Duff from “Ace of Cakes” said during tonight’s show: it’ll be a “celebacon.”
Why yes. Yes it will be.
And I for one could not be more delighted.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:01 am
Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos. They’re stuffed with cream cheese. ‘Nuf said.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:02 am
Oh, Boomama! I think that you should “Boocast” yourself while watching the next segment of the show. Then, we could watch it, too, and listen to the proper praises! Oh, and wave little hankies in the air :) Bless your heart!
I just had to check on you one last time before I went to bed…..I doubt if I can sleep now. I’ll get an early start on tomorrow’s bacon tonight!!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:36 am
I love bacon! I wish my high cholesterol levels didn’t force me to try to avoid it. :(
July 1st, 2009 at 1:38 am
I just love your bacon infused self. :)
July 1st, 2009 at 5:13 am
My husband had a heart attack last Fall so he cannot bring home the bacon anymore. I mean, cannot BUY bacon anymore. I was telling a friend at work that when our tomatoes bloom, or whatever they do, he is going to have to suck it up while I get my fill of BLT’s. I have been ‘swineing’ enough since having no bacon since October. I love bacon.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:54 am
Lil’ Smokies wrapped in bacon and sprinkled with brown sugar until they are a salty sweet crispy deliciousness
July 1st, 2009 at 6:55 am
Mmmm. Bacon-wrapped smokies were a hit at my daughter’s oh-so-sophisticated wedding earlier this month! But this time of year, nothing beats a BLT – with fresh, juicy, still-warm tomatoes from the garden, Blue Plate mayonnaise and white bread.
Had two for lunch.
Diet-shmiet.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:08 am
I saw that show last weekend, and I actually thought of you! But I have to say that the battered and deep fried bacon was just too much for me. I really thought I was going to throw up when they showed that one.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:08 am
I love bacon, too. Unfortunately, though, having a husband and two half-grown children makes actually getting any nie on impossible. When I actually do manage to squirrel away a few slices, my favorite thing to do with them is a simple BLT sandwich.
By the way, last week I found out that a 13 year old and an 11 year old, left to their own devices, can fry up and eat an entire pound of bacon BY THEMSELVES!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:12 am
Is it wrong that I like bacon straight up? Crunchy, please, not soggy. Stiff as a board, in fact. Blot it dry. Oh, but I’ll take it for Christmas breakfast only. Bacon is so good that my cholesterol convulses just thinking about it.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:16 am
I don’t have any recipes per say with bacon other than throwing it on the occasional salad, putting it on top of baked potatoes, or wrapping a good piece of filet mignon with it prior to grilling. But I will say when I’m making breakfast I must make extra because I snack on it while cooking… My husband thinks I’m not a big bacon person because when it’s time to eat I only put one or two pieces on my plate. But that’s because he didn’t see the 3, 4, or 5 other pieces I ate while cooking. So for now we’ll just let him continue thinking the way he does – but he has to know my waist line isn’t getting any smaller. Not to mention he knows I’m a southern girl through and through and for him to think I don’t like bacon……well shame on him!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:17 am
Sweet Baby Jesus, we love some bacon here! I don’t have any bacon related recipes off the cuff…but just the other day I was frying a pound of bacon, which you would think would be plenty for my family of four consisting of myself, husband and sons aged 6 and 4 right? Well, WRONG! The kids managed to slip the plate away that I was placing the bacon on to drain and pilfered nearly 3/4lb. of bacon while staring with their eyes glazed over at Disney channel. At this rate we will need to be buying our own pigs every year when they hit the teens.
P.s. my fave way to enjoy bacon is during the summer on a lovely bacon and fresh from the garden tomato sandwich. Forget the lettuce!!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:23 am
I watched that last night and kept wishing that there was some way I could transport myself to most of those restaurants to try the bacon wonders.
Except probably for that last one (Duff’s pick); I’m not so sure about that. I’d probably try a bite if someone else ordered it but I don’t know that I’d order it for myself.
My husband was mostly trying to ignore the tv since I kept flipping between HGTV, Food Network, and TLC, but he kept commenting about the bacon.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:36 am
How funny that you blogged about this today. My dad was over yesterday and he was telling me about a show that he watched about bacon. He was telling me about a restaurant that served bacon with everything. Like a banana wrapped in bacon. It totally made me think of you and I told my dad about you and your love of bacon. ;) Was this the same show?
July 1st, 2009 at 7:37 am
Here’s my recipe for “Mustardy Mustard Greens” (Ok, Rachael Ray’s recipe, but whatevah): http://www.vanderbiltwife.com/2008/03/better-mood.html
Yum!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:38 am
PS Please tell me you’ve had bacon dredged in brown sugar and then baked on a rack over a cookie sheet. It is heaven and I could easily eat about three pounds by myself.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:51 am
the best bacon i’ve ever had is when we are camping. we always bring about 3 pounds of bacon per morning (its not just our family. although we could eat that much easily). and we cook it in a huge cast iron skillet over an open fire.
heaven.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:54 am
My favorite appetizer to fix for dinner guests (and sometimes just for us) is bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blanched almonds. They are yummy! You take pitted dates, shove an almond in them, wrap with slices of bacon cut into thirds, and broil until the bacon is perfect (I hold it all together with a toothpick that’s been soaked in water).
Also, if you are ever in NYC in the summer you have to check out a sandwich place called ‘wichcraft. They have the BEST BLT with heirloom tomatoes, thick crispy back, and mayo that drips down your chin. It’s my favorite summer lunch.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:20 am
Bacon wrapped asparagus on the grill. Mmmmmmm…
July 1st, 2009 at 8:29 am
I just want you to know, I thought about you on Monday night. We had eggs, biscuits & bacon for dinner and my 22 month-old son is a bacon freak. I think he ate more bacon than eggs & biscuits. I knew you would be proud.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:32 am
Bacon any way you want to fix it, but a BLT with homegrown T’s….
And (you probably already know this) a single drop of rubbing alcohol in your ear will get rid of the water.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:35 am
I like that you used the word “sop.”
July 1st, 2009 at 8:44 am
As Jim Gaffigan says “Bibbity bobbity bacon!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpcpqz6jGig
July 1st, 2009 at 8:44 am
My mom does not like bacon (a tragedy, I know) so she never made it, but when I visited my grandparents I always awoke on Saturday to the smell of bacon cooking. Oh, what sweet, and savory, memories.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:47 am
That list of ingredients is just divine!
DIVINE!
I had bacon last night! YES I DID! And wheat biscuits and grits and scrambled eggs. But the bacon was the best! EXTRA crispy.
I cannot tell you how MAD I get when I order a bacon biscuit, bagel, bacon cheeseburger or anything else with bacon and it comes to me HALF cooked. EWwwwwww!
And another thing, I love, LOVE The Food Network. Back in the days of being an in home Nanny and keeping all manner of children, I would anxiously wait for naptime where I, too, would switch between HGTV and Food Network.
Last night’s Food Unwrapped (I think that was the show) talked about Tyson’s fully cooked bacon and how they cook it, package it, etc. It did get me excited about bacon. However, I cannot bring myself to buy this fully cooked bacon. I think I’ll stick to cooking my own on the George Foreman. At least the grease runs off. Gotta’ be healthier.
And then we add the grease to Dexter’s food (our Golden Retriever). Poor Dexter lappin’ up that food soaked in bacon grease. That can’t be good for him.
And finally, I will share with you–in case you did not see for yourself because it was on Discovery NOT Food Network–that apparently a certain group of people which I believe were in Texas actually started DEEP FRYING BACON!
WHAT?! Can you believe that? Now I’d try it. Probably. But that is just NOT a place I think I can go. Sauteed in butter? Sure. Deep fried? Ewwwww! If you happen to try it, let me know. I trust your bacon tasting abilities.
Otherwise, I will not be trying deep fried bacon.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:48 am
I just skimmed over the comments and there mine was, HUGE AS EVER!
What can I say?
July 1st, 2009 at 8:54 am
It may be wise to put a Paula Deen disclaimer on this entry – I’m your blogger not your doctor lest someone brings a lawsuit akin to the one Oprah had – and then you’ll have to bring in Dr. Phil to advise…
Bacon wrapped waterchestnuts – baked until the bacon is crispy. And Martha Stewart’s brown sugar coated bacon in the oven is to die for – so good you might just eat enough to have a coronary…
July 1st, 2009 at 8:58 am
You have to try the Bacon Pimento Cheese in Southern Living this month! It’s the best pimento cheese ever!!!!!!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:01 am
on my very 1st trip to texas in 1989 i went to a fancy schmancy bbq in the hill country. we had bacon wrapped jalapeno stuffed quail breast. it was so amazing & i’ve never forgetten it. wish i had the recipe for that!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:06 am
Layered salad. Some how I think by putting bacon in a salad it mitigates all fat. My layered salad also contains eggs and mayo, so I am the queen of denial.
One layer of lettuce, layer of peas, layer of green onion, ( you may add other layers of vegetables) then the good stuff- layer of bacon, layer of cheese, layer of hard boiled eggs, topped off by a layer of mayo and sour cream mixed together. Chill. Serve.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:09 am
You have to try bacon wrapped scallops and bacon wrapped asparagus, too. They are delicious, easy and you can put them on the grill! A scrumptious, delicate bacon wrapped package!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:10 am
My son is such a lover of bacon. You would love him.
Every Saturday we fry bacon for breakfast. He has his bacon with a side of bacon, and nothing else. He calls it Bacon Day.
I think it’s safe to say it’s his most-favoritist thing to eat. And he loves shrimp too so I think he’ll like this recipe. :)
Thanks for sharing.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
This week on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Guy went to a restaurant where they actually served BASKETS OF BACON! Sadly, I cannot remember the name of the restaurant or I would give you a map straight away.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:39 am
My favorite bacon recipe is a Hot Bacon Dip served in a bread bowl. Have mercy. I could bathe in it. I’d share the recipe, but its at home, I’m at work.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:44 am
And, speaking of bacon infused condiments, for your bacon-related enjoyment:
http://www.baconnaise.com/
July 1st, 2009 at 9:44 am
I just love that you talk back to TV shows that move you. Amen, sister, amen!!!
I do the remedial version of bacon + shrimp: wrap each shrimp in a piece of bacon securing it with a toothpick. Once they’re all wrapped and picked, put them in a gallon size ziploc bag with some hot sauce. Swish ‘em around, them put it on the grill.
Did ya’ll see that episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives where they put a whole pound of bacon on a BLT sandwich?
July 1st, 2009 at 9:51 am
Oh dear. My apostrophe was in the wrong place. It should be “y’all”. Just couldn’t let that go by without correcting it!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:54 am
As I was watching it, and mopping my floor… I was thinking “I hope BooMama is watching this!!!” I am glad you were :)
July 1st, 2009 at 9:54 am
Ok, this is going to sound strange, but you have to trust me. Seriously. I was watching “Dinner Impossible”, when Michael Symon was hosting. Anyhow, they had a challenge on the boardwalk (of Atlantic City, I believe), and he had to make boardwalk food – with what he had. It’s been awhile since I have seen it so I don’t remember everything that happened, but I do remember that they needed a dessert and what they had wasn’t working and so as only my true hero would do – he turned to bacon. For dessert. And of course, bacon saved the day. He made CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON with almond slices. Now, at first, even I (a bacon lover just like you Boo Mama), thought he might have lost his mind. Then, on Valentine’s Day, after I dipped my last strawberry and had lots of melted chocolate left, I thought about that episode and out came the bacon! My husband looked at me with a combination of curiosity and disgust but eagerly stood by the stove as I worked my magic and let me tell you something. That Michael Symon isn’t a Top Chef for nothing! That man knows what he is doing. I will love Chocolate Covered Bacon as long as I live. It’s sweet, it’s salty, it’s smooth and creamy, its crunchy – it’s BACON. What more could a girl ask for. It was delicious. My husband loved it. Everytime I know that I have to chocolate dip something – I make sure I have plenty of bacon on hand! It’s the best bacon I’ve ever had!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:57 am
Oops! Iron Chef, not Top Chef. I was delirious – just thinking about that bacon! :)
July 1st, 2009 at 9:58 am
I love bacon! Bacon wrapped breadsticks are a hit at any get together.
Breadsticks, plain or sesame – (yes, the hard already baked, in a plastic package ones)
Bacon
Parmesan cheese (optional)
Garlic powder (optional)
Preheat oven to 350. Cut bacon slices in half. Wrap bacon strip around breadstick. Place on baking sheet, and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until bacon is done.
Mix cheese and garlic powder together, Toss hot breadsticks in the mixture. Serve hot or at room temperature. Yum!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:01 am
I saw that show last night, and the first thing I thought is, “I hope BooMama gets to see this.” Hehe.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:11 am
I make this BLT breakfast bake for our Sunday school when we’re having a brunch. Different from your typical breakfast casserole, and it has BACON!
http://recipecircus.com/recipes/becky/BREAKFAST/Quick__Easy_quotBLTquot_Breakfast_Bake.html
Also, I can’t find the exact recipe,but I’ve had BLT appetizers with a mixture of mayo, BACON, scallions, and maybe cheese (?) stuffed into mini tomatoes – Yum!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:30 am
mmmmmmm…bacon…good
Did you see that maple-glazed donut w/chopped up bacon on it? Oh my.
Best Wrap Ever: Tortilla, a little bit of ranch, turkey, argula or spinach, BACON, avocado, dill pickles. (The lettuce-type thing makes it almost like a salad right?) Wrap and enjoy : )
July 1st, 2009 at 10:33 am
Haha, this post is so fitting! I was talking to my daddy on the phone last night and telling him I was making lasagna, his favorite dish, for him when he comes to visit this weekend. And, he said, “That’s just perfect. You could only make it better by trying to fit in some bacon.” Amen, Daddy. That’s just about right.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:40 am
If you want to add some pork to your bacon, try this recipe that is the newest hit at our monthly ladies brunch. (we discuss who’s going to bring these beforehand).
Take little smokies and wrap them in bacon (a forth a piece) and stick them with a toothpick. Coat them in brown sugar and place on cookie sheet (I usually dump a LOT of brown sugar on top) and cook for on 350 for 20 minutes and then broil for the last 5-10 minutes. The brown sugar caramalizes and makes these things little pieces of heaven!!!!!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:40 am
In college I worked at the drive through window of a bank. A local hog farm deposited its money with me. And it smelled of what would soon become bacon. The name of the company was, ironically, “Lean Co” and each time the manager gave me his deposit he’d say, “Here’s a love letter from Lean Co!”
Bacon memories stick with us over 30 years.
July 1st, 2009 at 11:19 am
Your recipe sounds delicious. I wonder if you have ever tried it using PEELED shrimp. I can imagine peeling those shrimp with lots of butter and bacon fat on them while eating could be a tad messy. But if you say that unpeeled is important, I will believe you!
July 1st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
i almost forgot about paula deen’s BLT DIP, from her PAULA DEEN & FRIENDS cookbook. i serve it surrounded by belgium endive as the dippers. it is so fantasically yummy!
& now i’m craving chocolate covered bacon!
July 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
It was only after we moved back to the States from the Middle East that I discovered bacon wrapped dates. (Well, they wouldn’t have had bacon there, but they did have some amazing dates!) Anyway, we had them at a tapas restaurant. Delicious! I had to ask the waitress how they made them, and it was really simple. Wrap a pitted date in bacon, place on a baking tray, drizzle with honey and bake in the oven until the bacon’s crispy. The perfect combination of salty and sweet. Yum!