The rich smell and crisp, smoky flavor of fresh sizzling bacon is a temptation few diners can resist.
Indeed, some 53 percent of Americans eat bacon at least once a week, according to a recent survey by Smithfield.
This love for bacon is fueling a culinary craze for bacon-infused and -inspired foods – everything from the tame (sauces) to the outrageous (ice cream).
But perhaps this trend should come as no surprise. After all, a full 78 percent of Smithfield’s survey respondents agreed that bacon makes everything better.
Whether you’re pairing your morning eggs with strips of their most perfect protein sidekick, loading up a BLT with an extra layer of bacon-y crunch, or following the lead of the nation’s top chefs and experimenting with new flavor combinations, you’re likely to achieve a crowd pleaser.
Quirky products and recipes aside, for the average consumer, the simple versatility of bacon makes it a winning addition to most meals. Even a classic pork chop, one of the most popular cuts of fresh pork, takes on a new personality when paired with the distinctly savory flavor of bacon, as in this recipe for Bacon Pork Chops with BBQ Glaze.
Recipe: Bacon Pork Chops with BBQ Glaze
Ingredients
- 4 6-7 ounce Smithfield Boneless Pork Loin Chops (1 1/4-inch thick)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 4 slices Thick-Cut Smithfield Bacon
- 4 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup lager beer
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth, reduced-sodium
Instructions
- Season pork with salt.
- Wrap bacon around edges of pork and secure with wooden toothpick.
- Mix together barbecue sauce and beer.
- Heat oil in oven-proof large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Stand chops with bacon-wrapped edges down in skillet, leaning against side of pan if needed.
- Using tongs, rotate chops along edges to lightly brown bacon (allow about 45 seconds to brown each section).
- Place chops flat side down in skillet and cook until underside is lightly browned, about one minute.
- Turn chops over. Spread equal amount of barbecue sauce mixture over each chop, letting excess run into skillet.
- Place skillet with chops in oven and bake for 10 minutes. Transfer each chop to dinner plate and let stand.
- Pour fat from skillet, leaving browned bits.
- Heat skillet over high heat until hot.
- Add broth and bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits with wooden spoon, and boil until reduced by half, about two minutes.
- Top each chop with spoonful of sauce and serve hot.
Preparation time: 15 minute(s)
Cooking time: 35 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 4
My rating
For more inspired recipes featuring beloved bacon, visit www.Smithfield.com