There are many ways to marinate bacon, but what is the easiest and most delicious way to marinate bacon? Here are the detailed steps and tips to make it easy for you to become a bacon curing master.
1. Choose meats and spices.
It is best to choose pork belly or pork hind leg meat for marinated bacon, which is moderately fat and thin, and has a better taste. In addition to the basic seasonings such as salt, sugar, and cooking wine, spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and peppercorns can also be added to increase the flavor.
2. Handling meat.
Cut the selected pork into small pieces, rinse it with water, blanch it in boiling water to remove blood and impurities. Then remove and drain for later use.
3. Pickling. Put the processed pork into an airtight container, add the appropriate amount of salt, sugar, cooking wine and spices, and stir well. Then cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 3-5 days, turning once a day to fully absorb the flavor.
4. Drying and storage.
The marinated bacon can be taken out and hung in a cool and ventilated place to dry, which generally takes 1-2 weeks. During the drying process, direct sunlight should be avoided so as not to affect the quality of bacon. The bacon can be put away and stored after drying until the surface is dry and the color is bright red. It is best to store in a cool and ventilated place to avoid moisture and odors.
5. Cooking skills.
Bacon needs to be soaked in water for a period of time before cooking to remove excess salt and impurities. The soaked bacon can be used to steam, boil, stir-fry, grill and other ways to cook, and choose different cooking methods according to personal taste. The cooking time of bacon should not be too long, so as not to affect the taste.
6. Healthy consumption.
Although bacon has a unique flavor, eating too much of it can have an impact on your health. Therefore, it is advisable to eat it in moderation and choose bacon of good quality. In addition, bacon has a high salt content and should be eaten with caution by patients with high blood pressure.
7. Identification of the quality of bacon.
When buying bacon, you can identify the quality of bacon by observing the appearance, smelling the smell, pressing, etc. Good bacon is bright red in color, dry on the surface, and has no peculiar smell; Inferior bacon, on the other hand, has a dull color, a damp surface, and a peculiar smell. When pressed, good bacon should be elastic, while low-quality bacon is softer or firmer. When buying bacon, it is best to choose regular channels and reputable merchants to ensure reliable quality.
8. Suggestions for eating bacon.
In order to better enjoy the taste and nutritional value of bacon, it is recommended to eat it with light vegetables, such as stir-fried garlic moss, garlic water spinach, etc. At the same time, you can also choose some protein-rich foods, such as tofu, eggs, etc., to balance nutrition. In addition, bacon can be steamed with rice to make a delicious rice bowl or fried rice. Not only does this better absorb the salt and fat of the bacon, but it also makes the rice more flavorful.
9. The culinary culture of bacon.
In southern China, curing and eating bacon is a traditional food culture. The winter season of each year is the best time to marinate bacon, and people will make a large amount of bacon at home for the Chinese New Year and daily consumption. In some cities in the south, such as Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and other places, there are also workshops and shops specializing in making bacon. The bacon in these places is unique in its production process and delicious taste, and is loved by locals and tourists alike. While tasting the specialties of these places, try the local bacon specialties and experience the different flavors and cultural charms.
In conclusion, although marinating bacon may seem simple, there are actually many tips and precautions. Once you've mastered these tips and precautions, you'll be able to marinate simple and delicious bacon with ease. While enjoying the food, it is also important to eat it in moderation and maintain a healthy lifestyle.