Sami Grover
DCL
From shiitake and bacon stuffing to brussels sprouts with spaghetti and bacon, the much beloved bacon is one of those meats that can be used in tiny amounts to give a big smack of flavor. It probably explains why so many of us are hooked on bacon.
WATCH VIDEO: "Stuff Happens" Exploration of Bacon and Other Classic Breakfast Foods
And boy are there some bacon obsessives out there. Ari Weinzweig, author of Zingermann's Guide to Better Bacon, even goes as far as to claim bacon as the "olive oil of America". But all too often, even those of us who love our rashers, pour away one of the most beautiful elements—the fat. And as being green is about using resources to the maximum, this seems like a no-no. So I thought I'd put together a few suggestions for what to do with that yummy leftover fat after you make your BLT.
(Of course, waste minimization aside, from a nutritional standpoint you probably shouldn't eat too much bacon fat. But I'd suggest you cut back on bacon in general, and when you eat it, eat it all.)
Bacon Fat Mayonnaise This one comes straight out of the aforementioned Zingermann's Guide to Better Bacon. Caroline Russock tested it out over at Cook the Book—describing it as a "spreadable BLT."
Bacon-Infused Bourbon This might sound weird, but I have it on very good authority that it is utterly delicious. In fact, I'm going to make it a project the next time I have a BLT. New York Magazine has a rundown of how to make bacon-infused bourbon, and even a cocktail recipe for what to do with it.
Bacon-flavored Veggies This one always bothers my nutritionist wife, but cooking greens or peas in a little rendered bacon fat is a great way to add flavor. Down here in North Carolina, sauteing collard greens in a little bacon or fat back is pretty much a staple.
Bacon-fat Cookies So you thought bacon-flavored bourbon was weird. Many homebakers swear by the addition of bacon fat to their sweet recipes too. Try these bacon-fat ginger cookies, for example.
Bacon for the Birds If you're watching your weight, and you just can't bring yourself to ingest the fat, then give it to someone who needs it. Check out the discussion over at Yahoo over bacon-fat suet treats for birds.
Salivating over sustainable eats? Learn how to make your own with help from Emeril Lagasse in Planet Green TV's organic cooking show, Emeril Green.
