How to Bake Bacon

If you count food among your many passions, then you've surely felt the strong drift blowing over the last few years, taking you from fried cholesterol laden foods, towards healthier options

All the same, there are those of us who want to jump onto the health food band wagon, yet don't really want to give up on soul warming food like a breakfast comprising eggs, bacon and hash browns. So where do we find the balance? While we can make healthier food choices, most days of the week, we can also indulge every now and then.

And when we do so, to ensure that we do not recede too greatly, we must embrace a healthy cooking method. While baking is one of the healthiest ways to prepare food, we love it more for the heartwarming quality it gives the food.

If you've been trying to decipher how to bake bacon in the oven, know that there is nothing easier to do. The process of baking bacon starts with preheating the oven to 400°F. Just lay out the bacon on a baking sheet, with a little space between each strip. Put the tray in the oven and bake the bacon for 10 to 15 minutes.

If you want it to turn extra crispy, then you can leave it in for a few more minutes. Transfer the bacon onto some paper towels which will soak up the excess grease and then serve them. If you want a baking bacon recipe, we have two for you!

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 tbsp good maple syrup
• 16 slices of ¾ pound thick-cut smoked bacon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the baking pan in the lower half of the oven to catch drippings. Place the slices of bacon in a single layer on a baking rack, with space between each slice. Slide the baking rack into the center most slot in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

When the bacon begins to turn brown, it's time to take it out. Carefully take the rack out of the oven and brush some maple syrup onto the bacon slices. Turn the slices over and brush the other side as well.

Put the rack back into the oven and bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until you have golden brown bacon. Transfer the bacon onto some paper towels which will soak up the excess grease and then, serve them.

Ingredients

For Scallop Seasoning

• 2 ½ tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp black pepper

For Recipe

• 12 slices applewood smoked bacon or any other thick-cut bacon
• 2 tbsp soft unsalted butter
• 12 (U-10 size) sea scallops
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 12 (6'') bamboo skewers
• ½ tsp salt

Directions

Before you begin, soak the skewers in warm water for about 30 minutes. Start by combining all the scallop seasoning ingredients. Then, preheat the oven to 350°F and place parchment paper on the baking sheet.

Arrange the bacon strips on the parchment paper in a single layer and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. You need to take the bacon out at the point when it just begins to get golden around the edges but is still very supple. Once taken out of the oven, allow them to cool enough to handle them.

Preheat a grill to medium-high. Dust the scallops on all sides with the scallop seasoning and salt. Carefully wrap each scallop in 1 slice of bacon and keep it in place by passing the bamboo skewer through the center. Repeat the procedure with the other scallops and bacon.

Once the grill is hot, coat it lightly with olive oil, then place the skewer on it. Keep turning the skewers as the scallops cook, and they should be cooked in under 7 minutes. Place the cooked scallops in a platter and season with freshly ground black pepper. Add a dab of the butter to each scallop and serve.

These instruction should leave you confident in the knowledge baking a bacon. The bacon scallop recipe is quite a treat and great to serve at cocktail parties.