Is it possible to make bacon at home?
So, I am from India. And it's very difficult to find bacon in local super-markets here. I was wondering if there is a way that I can make bacon at home or any other alternative to bacon.
Best Answer
Sure. Michael Ruhlman has a post about it, and I think there was an episode of Good Eats that described the process pretty well, too. I'm not sure what you can get at the butcher in India, but you'll want to find the belly of the pig.
What you do is rub the meat with a cure, which is a mix of salt, sugar, seasoning, and "pink salt" (a curing salt that is part regular salt and part sodium nitrite). Leave it in your fridge in a ziploc bag for a week or covered on a tray, flipping it over daily so that it cures evenly, then rinse it off. At that point you can roast it in a low oven, smoke it, or hang it to dry.
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Is it worth it to make your own bacon?
Could it really be that much better if homemade? Absolutely. Also, the end product (at least I find) is far superior than that in the store. If you had to purchase it, think of it as a gourmet or specialty bacon; which would probably run you $7-9/lb.How long does it take to make your own bacon?
Close the bag and refrigerate 7 to 10 days, flipping once a day, until the pork belly feels firm. It should take 7 days for a thin belly that is about 11/2 inches thick, longer for a belly that's 2 to 3 inches thick. Remove the pork belly from the bag, rinse thoroughly and pat dry.Can you make bacon without curing it?
Now that we've discussed all that cured bacon is, you may be wondering how bacon can be made without curing? The truth is, all bacon must be cured before consumption. While uncured bacon is still cured bacon, it undergoes a much different process. A process that is better for you and much more flavorful!How is pork turned into bacon?
Bacon. Traditionally, bacon is made by rubbing cuts of pork loin or belly with a mixture of salt and spices and leaving the meat for a week, before it is washed with warm water, dried and smoked. And you can still buy bacon made that way, if you're willing to pay for it.How To Make The Best Homemade Bacon
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