Bacon Shortage!

The Mayan calendar predicts 2012 to be the last year that bacon will ever be available…. Well, not really, but it will  be more scarce and thus more expensive due to the recent drought.  While the National Pork Producers Council promises that we will not see “bacon lines”, personally, I do not plan on taking any chances.  I’ll be placing my order for this handy home appliance to ensure that I always have at least 7.0 cubic feet of frozen pork at the ready.

Tourist in my own city

   Have you ever spent a day being a tourist in the city you live in?  After being out of town weekend after weekend for friends' wonderful weddings all summer long, Whit and I thought it was about time for a little vacation in our own favorite city... Chicago.

Bearded Beers

If you have not tried this beer yet, do yourself a favor and pick one up today.  While I'm not usually the biggest fan of New Belgium's lineup, I've really been digging their Belgo India Pale Ale. This addition to the Explore series is perfect for summer drinking with a nice balance between bitter and sweet. Nicely carbonated to keep the drinking smooth, and with a 7%ABV it packs a punch that tends to sneak up on you.

I picked up my sixer at West Lakeview Liquors ,aka The Rooster, on Addison and Leavitt.  This place has an amazing selection of craft brew.  Stop in next time you're looking for some killer beer.

*Like

   I snatched this pic from a friend's FB page because, well, it is awesome.

Jewish Penicillin

     I came down with something nasty over the weekend and my lovely wife made me some matzo ball soup to help with my recovery. The recipe came from "The Joy of Cooking" which I understand has been a staple cookbook in many homes since approximately 1931. Quite delicious, and highly recommended anytime you're under the weather. Thanks, wife!

Thank you for the donut, Beaver.

If you see the Beaver's Coffee + Donuts food truck, I highly suggest you give them a try. You can click on the link to see when they will be in your area. Looks like they'll be in River North tomorrow at Flair Tower (Erie/Franklin) from 7-10am.

Wrapping sausage in bacon. Not good for you?

      I know, I know. I was just as appalled and surprised by that headline as you are, but thanks to the guerrilla reporting techniques practiced by the NPR news team we now know the truth. I admit I was skeptical at first, but any article that starts out with "Bacon has been called the gateway meat" tends to pique my interest. Like you, I'm sure, I assumed it was the gateway to other delicious foods only to (sadly) learn it was the gateway to an early death.

You might want to take a moment and ask yourself "is that 13% higher risk of mortality worth NOT eating bacon?"  It's times like these you should ask yourself "what would Ron Swanson do?".  WWRSD?



Full Article Here

Bacon Sprouts

I think we all know the one surefire way to always make veggies delicious... add bacon.  I happen to dig Brussels sprouts, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I dig them much more when they're cooked in bacon grease. This is a spin off of the Broccoli side dish at PumpRoom at Public Chicago which is outstanding, and reasonably priced for the area.

Bacon Sprouts:
1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1/2 lb bacon
1/4 cup pistachios shelled and finely chopped
1/4 to 1/2 (depending on desired heat level) medium jalapeno diced 1tpsp ground cayenne
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of cane sugar

Cook bacon (not too crispy) in large pan, drain and set aside. Do not dump bacon grease! Place trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts directly in pan with grease on medium heat. Add jalapeno, pistachios, cayenne, salt, pepper, and sugar.  Cook uncovered until sprouts are carmelized but still firm in the middle, about 13-15 minutes. Chop bacon in 1/2" pieces and mix in to sprouts while in pan.  

Id also like to share with you that she is quite the handful in the kitchen

 

 Not too bad for a quick late morning snack. Lookin' good, Wifeasaurus Rex!