August 28, 2008 by Marianne

August 28, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

Is there a world-record for the longest strip of bacon? I certainly couldn’t find one on the Guinness Book website, but I think we may have found the solution to that. This Flickr entry, from a mysterious man called Masta, records his progress as he takes a full slab of bacon and carves it into one incredibly long strip. I highly recommend you look at this as a slideshow. It must have taken incredible patience and some serious knife skills to pull this off. You have to see this image on a much large scale to truly appreciate the beauty of that almost never-ending slice. Simply breathtaking.

And so, in celebration of the looming International Bacon Day, I think we can congratulate Masta on making bacon history. Thank you, sir. You are our new hero.

August 22, 2008 by Marianne

August 22, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

What the heck is up with this?!

dancing bacon

August 14, 2008 by Marianne

August 14, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

I am completely blown away by this bacon art. The amazing Mingarro Brothers of Barcelona founded a multi-disciplinary studio, Brosmind, and have won a whole slew of awards for their work. Their art is fun and whimsical, and includes everything from illustration to functional art. I seriously suggest you spend some time wandering their site and checking out their latest projects. And you should go back again and again to the link about the Mingarro brothers. The images of them change every time. These guys are some wacky Spaniards and I want to be their friend.

I wonder how the husband would feel about a bacon chandelier in the dining room?

August 12, 2008 by Marianne

August 12, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

Love bacon, but hate all that greasy mess? Craving bacon, but also craving candy? Want to carry bacon around in your purse or pocket, but afraid it will attract a gang of feral dogs? Well Archie McPhee has just the thing for you! They’re Bacon Beans, and they’re consumption-ready today!

Yes, these jellybeans are bacon-flavored, and come in a handy re-usable bacon tin. And at a mere $5.95, the price is right. Treat yourself! Treat your friends! Go hog wild!

August 7, 2008 by Marianne

August 7, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

What gives with the cheeseburgers lately? Everywhere I turn, bacon cheeseburgers are in my face, tempting me to be bad. Very bad.

The latest rage seems to be the Krispy Kreme Bacon Cheeseburger, the basics on a glazed donut instead of a bun. It’s more straightforward than the Paula Deen version (no egg involved) but has the added pizazz of America’s favorite donut company. Apparently it’s named the “Luther Burger” after R&B singer Luther Vandross, and there’s much buzz about Mr. Vandross being the possible inventor. No hard evidence, of course, but I’m sure he’s very proud.

This new classic has been seen in St. Louis at a minor league baseball concession stand, at the New York State Fair, and at Google NYC’s cafeteria. It begs the question…when will this monstrosity reach the West coast? And where can I get in line?

July 30, 2008 by Marianne

July 30, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

First off, let me apologize to those of you out there trying to chime in on the Bacon Top 5 list. We didn’t realize we were having technical difficulties until some of you told us about it, so thanks. The very able Naseem got right on the case and we are back up and running. So please, give it another go and send us your bacon faves. I can’t live another day without them!

Now on to my rant. Someone out there has been talking about this new “bacon iPod case” that’s supposed to keep my iPod all warm and snuggly. However, as this image clearly shows, this case is not representative of bacon, but a nice marbleized cut of beef! Maybe even Kobe beef. And while Kobe beef is certainly a worthy and delicious meat, it ain’t no bacon.

So what gives, Mr. Jobs? Where’s are my bacon accessories? Why must I wander around, letting my iPod get all scratched and dinged when it would be so easy to throw together one more novelty case? And you think this butcher packaging is clever? Just think how cool it would be to wrap this baby up like a pound of bacon. Come on…you know you like it. I’d be more than happy to make a pitch to your marketing department.

I’m sure Steve Jobs will be emailing me later today. And there you have it. Royal Bacon Society: Changing the world, one post at a time.

July 29, 2008 by Marianne

July 29, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

Last Tuesday at this time I was not getting ready for work. I was sleeping. And then I was reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Later I went for an hour-long bike ride along the beach, followed by wine tasting with friends at a couple of local wineries. Truly a day to remember and repeat whenever possible. And then, to make it even more amazing, a bacon double cheeseburger at the Habit. Definitely in my Top 5 Best Uses for Bacon. In fact, let’s make a list:

1) Bacon-Wrapped Filet - I know, so typical and run-of-the-mill. But it’s popular for a reason. I would eat it every other day if it didn’t make me feel so guilty.

2) Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus - Pretty common in my house these days. I always thought that asparagus was the world’s greatest veggie, but bacon bumps it up to Food of the Gods. Less guilt-inducing than bacon-wrapped red meat.

3) Carbonara - I know this dish is traditionally made with eggs and pancetta, but I’ll take any bastardized version. Bacon, cream, parmesan and pasta are most common in my house, because those are ingredients I always have on hand. MORE guilt-inducing than bacon-wrapped red meat.

4) Bacon Cheeseburger - Preferably with American cheese, shredded lettuce and a slice of ripe tomato. Which is why the Habit ranks so high on my list of favorite burger joints.

5) Country Gravy & Biscuits - There is a big debate about whether gravy should be made with sausage or bacon. I have a very strong opinion…bet you can’t guess what it is. This is probably my guiltiest bacon pleasure, because it’s basically carb-topped carbs. Thank goodness it comes with fried eggs!

It appears that most of our readers are not big commenters, but I’d really love to hear your thoughts on this. What are your favorite uses for bacon? I just know someone out there has a fabulous favorite that’s going to make me bump my #5. Either that, or start building my Top 10 list.

July 24, 2008 by Marianne

July 24, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

This is Aaron Rowand. He’s a baseball player. He formerly played for the White Sox and the Phillies, and is currently center fielder for the San Francisco Giants. I cannot tell you how often I come across his name during my research, because the ladies have nicknamed him “Bacon Pants.” Am I just a very naive person? What does this mean? What is a bacon pants?

July 17, 2008 by Marianne

July 17, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

You gotta love The New Yorker. Wry, urbane, and recently under attack for some controversial cover art. You know what? It’s not going to make me stop reading. Not when the latest edition features the Fourteen Passive-Aggressive Appetizers that would spice up any intimate gathering. And one of them includes bacon!

“2. Vegetarian friends? Try veggie rumaki: wrap a strip of imitation bacon around a water chestnut, spear with a toothpick, and broil—but instead of imitation bacon use real bacon, and instead of a water chestnut use veal.”

I believe I’ve mentioned before that Thanksgiving at my house is like a carnivorous half-marathon, the table spread like 13 miles of butcher’s cases, end to end. I think my vegetarian friends are a little scared that when they come over, I’ll “accidentally” slip them a piece of pork in their salad. “Bacon? No! The pasta sauce is just made with smoked cheese!” And honestly, I would never do such a thing on purpose. It’s just that I hardly think of bacon as meat anymore. It’s more like a condiment or a cooking tool. You can’t stir sauce without a spoon, right? Well, substitute “spoon” with “bacon” and you’re thinking like me.

One evening at dinner with a group of friends and acquaintances, someone asked me, “are you from the South?”

“No. Did I just say something with a Southern accent?”

“No, but you just mentioned ribs, chicken wings and bacon all in one sentence. I just thought maybe…”

Hmph! Well, I guess I couldn’t blame him. It was my big mouth that said it. So I shut up, went home and joined the Paula Deen fan club. Then made myself a bacon, doughnut and egg burger.

July 14, 2008 by Marianne

July 14, 2008 • Filed Under: Random Bacon

We interrupt our usual plugging of bacon products to announce that we are proud recipients of an Arte Award! Dave’s Cupboard gave us this honor, and what a compliment coming from one of my favorite food bloggers! Thanks, Dave! This award originated at Arte y Pico, a Spanish-language blog dedicated to finding and sharing art. They love to give props for creativity found around the web, and bravo to that!

In the spirit of passing it on, I now have the responsibility to select five recipients for this prestigious award. There are so many amazing blogs out there and I can choose only five. I feel unequal to the task, but here goes:

Skulls and Bacon - I know the author only by the name of metalchick666, but her blog would go perfectly on the wall of my guest bedroom. From beach towels to bacon history, this blog has me constantly saying “I want that!” or “why didn’t I think of that?”

I Shot the Chef - I’m not sure I’ve ever seen more beautiful food than on Candace’s website. Her recipes are inspired, and her husband Stephan’s photography makes you want to lick the computer screen. I seriously wish these people were my next-door neighbors.

The Anti-Craft - This is where the priestesses of the Dark Lord go for craft patterns. Renee and Zabet conceived a craft magazine where goth knitting meets bacon fashion, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Sailu’s Food - It’s hard for me to express how much I love Indian food, or how miserably I’ve failed at cooking it over the years. Sailaja’s recipes are easy to follow and beautifully photographed. Thanks to this South Indian blogger, I made my first successful Masala.

Daisy the Dog - This one is Brutus’ pick. It has nothing to do with food or bacon or subversive art. He claims he reads it for the articles, but I think he just likes to look at pictures of Daisy. Can’t say I blame him; she is one cute Pit Bull.

The Rules for the Arte Award:

1. Pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award with their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogger community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog.
3. Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4. Award-winners and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Display these rules on your blog.

Thanks again to Dave and everyone in the blogging community for being so supportive. Viva el Arte!