MANY people know the delight of tucking into a delicious bacon sandwich – but you can cause a mess if fat spits out the frying pan.
According to a bestselling cookbook author, we should all be putting away our pans and instead cooking bacon in the oven for the best results.
It turns out there may be a healthier way to cook bacon than the method you’ve been using[/caption]
Cooking bacon in the frying pan has risks of oil spitting[/caption]
Rachel Farnsworth, founder of The Stay At Home Chef, said: “We love bacon, but it is a pain. How many grease-stained shirts and first-degree burns from oil popping can we tolerate before saying ‘enough’? Well, a lot. Because it’s bacon.
“However, once we discovered cooking it in the oven, we couldn’t go back to the old-fashioned way.”
The food expert said that not only is cooking bacon in the oven easier, but it will also help it to taste nicer and have a better texture.
This is because when it is fried in the pan, the fatty part cooks faster than the pink meat.
This means the outer bit of bacon gets overly crispy, while the middle part is undercooked.
If you use the oven instead, the heat circles around the meat and it cooks more evenly.
The expert also said you should avoid adding oil or butter when cooking bacon – particularly as the bacon fat renders when cooking, so it does not need anything added.
This is because it can make it too greasy with a “charred film” over it.
Speaking to the Express, Rachel said: “Cooking bacon in the oven is so stinkin’ easy! It’s going to take longer than you’re used to, but we promise you, it’s worth it. Plus, it’s all hands-off cooking time. No more watching the stove and dangerous flipping of the bacon!”
What is the best way to cook bacon in the oven
You first need to preheat your oven to 200C and arrange your bacon flat on a single baking sheet, without any parts overlapping.
To avoid scrubbing the sheet, you should use parchment paper under the bacon.
Lay the bacon on a single baking sheet for the oven[/caption]
Rachel explained: “The best way to cook bacon in the oven is on parchment paper because it allows for an easy cleanup. Once you’re done and it’s cooled down, simply roll all that grease up into the centre of the parchment paper and throw it away!”
Then add the baking sheet to the oven for 15 to 20 minutes if you like your bacon chewy, or 25 to 30 if you like it crispy.
Once you have taken the bacon out of the oven, put it on a paper towel to remove excess fat.
Tips for feeding your family for less
PREPARING tasty meals for a family doesn’t have to be expensive.
Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer from Feel Alive UK, has shared how you can cut costs and feed a family of four for just £20 a week.
She advised: “It’s always best to plan meals for the week ahead, whether you’re on a budget, cooking for a hungry family or just looking after yourself.
“However, it’s essential if you’re feeding a family of four on a budget of £20 per week – that’s just £2.85 per day! While it might take a little more planning, it can definitely be achieved.”
LOOK FOR ‘UGLY’ FRUIT AND VEG: Suzie says Morrisons is a great place to start.
She says: “The supermarket chain, Morrisons, in particular have launched a range of ugly fruit and vegetables and also ‘wonky’ fruit.
“We have all come to expect perfect specimens in the supermarket, therefore the less attractive ones get left on the shelf.
“However, they are still packed with essential nutrients and are considerably cheaper in price.”
BUY SUPERMARKET BUDGET BRANDS: A simple yet effective way to feed a family of four on a budget, advises Suzie, is to buy supermarkets’ own budget brands.
She says: “Buy supermarket budget brands – they will generally contain the same levels of nutrients, although they may not taste quite as good.
“However, that could often be down to more sugar, salt or artificial flavours so they might even end up being healthier!”
BATCH COOK: Nutritionist Susie says shoppers should cook in bulk if they’re trying to feed a family of four on a budget.
“Cooking in bulk is a great way of saving money,” explains Suzie.
“For example, a lentil spaghetti bolognaise can be batch cooked and frozen. Many dishes, especially curries, actually taste better after freezing.”
CLEVER SHOPPING: Suzie says there can be a vast difference in price in differing supermarkets – but Morrisons is famous for its low prices.
She says: “There can be a vast difference in price between the big chains so do price match.
“Plus, it’s worth remembering that small corner shops are always going to be much more expensive.
“And there will always be a price benefit from buying in bulk with larger quantities.”
BUY DRIED VERSIONS RATHER THAN TINNED: The nutritionist says buying dried versions of items like beans and lentils – rather than tined – are great family food staples that come within a £20 budget.
Plus – Morrisons have a great range available in all their stores.
Suzie says: “Buy dried versions rather than tinned – I’m talking beans and lentils, which are great sources of protein.
“Buy them in bulk and soak them before using as per their instructions on the pack. Plus, you’ll not be eating salt and sugar generally added to canned food.”
BUY FRUIT AND VEGETABLES LOOSE: Suzie also recommends shoppers feeding a family of four for £20 a week by their fruit and vegetables loose.
She says: “It’s a great idea to check the per kilogram price on foods so you can buy the cheapest but these will generally be lower on loose fruits and veggies, rather than those pre-packaged.
“Plus, you don’t need to buy fruits and vegetables ready chopped (they’ll have lost nutrients in any case), cheese ready-grated or other produce pre-prepared.”
The clinical nutritionist also added that it’s important to note that it’s not easy to get all the nutrients the body needs on a daily basis, (bearing in mind there are 45), particularly on a tight budget.
