ILISTEN TO THE PODCASTt's a proven scientific fact that bacon makes everything better, and that includes dessert. Author Steven Raichlen, who wrote Man Made Meals - The Essential Cookbook for Guys, told Tonia's Kitchen about his Candied Bacon Sundae! And it is as good as it sounds. Steven told Tonia
he caramelizes bacon with walnuts, and puts it over ice cream. It's a salty/sweet taste treat that's super-easy to prepare! Steven's has a lot more great ideas to share, and he'd like you to learn more. Visit his website at barbecue bible and sign up for his newsletter, Up In Smoke.
For the candied bacon and walnuts:
- 4 thick slices bacon (4 ounces), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slivers
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or rice vinegar
For the sundaes:
- 3/4 cup heavy (whipping) cream
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 pint (2 cups) maple-walnut ice cream, or more to taste
- Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling
Step 1: Make the candied bacon and walnuts: Place the bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook until the fat renders and the bacon begins to brown and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the walnuts and continue cooking until the bacon and walnuts are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Do not let them burn. Drain the bacon mixture by placing it in a strainer over a heatproof bowl. Save the bacon fat for a future use, like frying potatoes.
Step 2: Return the bacon and walnuts to the skillet and add the 1/2 cup of maple syrup and the vinegar. Cook the bacon mixture over medium heat until it is thick and syrupy, about 3 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. The mixture should have a pourable consistency. Set the skillet aside and keep warm. The candied bacon can be made earlier in the day; cover the skillet and set it aside. Rewarm the candied bacon over low heat when you are ready to serve the sundaes.
Step 3: Make the sundaes: Place the cream and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup in a chilled metal bowl and, using a mixer or whisk, beat the cream until soft peaks form. Alternatively, pour the cream and maple syrup into a CO2 charger and shake well to mix, 7 or 8 times. Invert the charger and squeeze the handle to release the whipped cream. Refrigerate the maple whipped cream, covered, until serving.
Step 4: To assemble the sundaes, scoop the ice cream into balls and place 1 scoop in each of 4 sundae glasses or bowls. Spoon the warm candied bacon and walnuts on top. Top with the maple whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon.
