31 Days of MOO No. 15 MOO Bacon Bits
You can buy bacon flavoured bits in the cooking aisle at your supermarket. The advantage of them is that they are shelf stable, meaning they don't need to be refrigerated, and, if you are a vegetarian, they are a good alternative to genuine bacon. My bacon loving husband tells me that if you're not a vegetarian, they just don't compare. And so, even though I don't eat bacon, I MOO bacon bits to use in the omelettes, quiches, pies and salads I make for him.
They're really easy to make, and to keep the cost down I buy the budget packs of bacon for $5.99/kg. Now, if I'm cooking him bacon and eggs, I don't use this bacon. But to make bacon bits it is perfect. And cheap.
Here's how to MOO bacon bits
Step 1: Cut the bacon strips into bits with kitchen scissors, trimming off the fat and rind, and place into a cold frying pan. A cold frying pan will stop the bacon from sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Once the base of the frying pan is covered, turn the heat onto Medium High. Cook, stirring occasionally until the bacon is done. The timing will be different depending on how much bacon you put into the pan, so keep a close eye on it!
Step 3: Take the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon or egg lifter and place on paper towel to drain. Put another piece or two of paper towel on top of the bacon and gently press. You want to soak up as much fat as possible. Alternatively, drain the bacon fat into a bowl and place bacon bits onto a plate with 2 sheets of paper towels on it, then cover with another two sheets of paper towel, to soak up remaining fat. You can then use the saved bacon fat to use in cooking.
Step 4: Pat dry, and remove paper towels so bacon sits directly on plate. Spread the bacon bits on an baking sheet and flash-freeze for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Remove from the freezer and place into a clean, dry, labeled jar. Store in freezer and pull out whenever you need some!
They're really easy to make, and to keep the cost down I buy the budget packs of bacon for $5.99/kg. Now, if I'm cooking him bacon and eggs, I don't use this bacon. But to make bacon bits it is perfect. And cheap.
Here's how to MOO bacon bits
Step 1: Cut the bacon strips into bits with kitchen scissors, trimming off the fat and rind, and place into a cold frying pan. A cold frying pan will stop the bacon from sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Once the base of the frying pan is covered, turn the heat onto Medium High. Cook, stirring occasionally until the bacon is done. The timing will be different depending on how much bacon you put into the pan, so keep a close eye on it!
Step 3: Take the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon or egg lifter and place on paper towel to drain. Put another piece or two of paper towel on top of the bacon and gently press. You want to soak up as much fat as possible. Alternatively, drain the bacon fat into a bowl and place bacon bits onto a plate with 2 sheets of paper towels on it, then cover with another two sheets of paper towel, to soak up remaining fat. You can then use the saved bacon fat to use in cooking.
Step 4: Pat dry, and remove paper towels so bacon sits directly on plate. Spread the bacon bits on an baking sheet and flash-freeze for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Remove from the freezer and place into a clean, dry, labeled jar. Store in freezer and pull out whenever you need some!