July 10, 2009 by Marianne

July 10, 2009 • Filed Under: Bacon Reviews , 4th of July, Bacon, Daily's bacon

I know the 4th of July was almost a week ago, and that by posting a week late I seem deeply ungrateful for my many liberties, but that popcorn post was really important. Plus? I was too hungover on Sunday night to prepare a real post for Monday. Sue me.

Our holiday was super fun-filled and friend-packed and started, appropriately, with a mountain of bacon. The soon-to-be-newlywed Therese and Murray threw a smashing brunch at their new house. Honestly, how two people can have just moved into a new house, be planning a wedding, and still host a party is beyond all human comprehension. They are super heroes of entertainment, and I think they know it.

While guests brought fruit and champagne and the occassional breakfast bread pudding, Murese (their Hollywood name) anchored the meal with never-ending pancakes, scrambled eggs, tater tots, and pounds and pounds of Daily’s Hardwood Smoked Center Cut bacon. We served Daily’s pepper bacon at our first Bacon Day, and it’s a great, well-rounded brand that I would happily buy again, especially when cooking in bulk. Murray was on meat detail, and did a great job of cooking it just right, not too crispy, not too chewy. I wish I had a photo of the chef at work, but I was just so mesmerized by the bacon…

Let’s see, what else happened that day…I remember a beach, a boat, some fireworks. Lots of people were there. I’m going to go out on a limb and say I had a great time. I know one thing for sure: freedom has never been more delicious.

July 3, 2009 by Marianne

July 3, 2009 • Filed Under: Random Bacon , 4th of July, Roger Bacon

I just love the 4th of July. I wish I could say it was because I’m so patriotic. Don’t get me wrong; I’m wildly grateful to live in America and truly enjoy the freedoms that come along with that privilege, but let’s be honest:I love having a day off to barbecue and hang out at the beach. Santa Barbara may be the greatest July 4th spot in the US. Not only is it a beautiful city, generally sunny and warm (not blazing hot) in July, but there are amazing free fireworks displays at our downtown beach and in nearby Goleta. I love laying on the sand, watching the beauty overhead, feeling the pounding in my chest, and of course wiping the ashes from my face. Oh well, nothing’s perfect…this is just damn close.

So what does this have to do with bacon? Well, only that Roger Bacon is widely credited as the first European to write specific instructions for the preparation and use of black powder way back in the 1200s. Does this mean he invented fireworks? No, that was the ingenious Chinese. But he made those skills widely accessible through formal instruction, rather than by folk learning and the passing of knowledge from father to son, thereby sharing the joy of fireworks with the whole world. Incidentally, this also brought about rapid advances in warfare, so…good job? Whatever. Fireworks rule.

And of course since the 4th of July is America’s official BBQ holiday, bacon is going to play an important role in your day. Bacon cheeseburgers? Bacon-wrapped filet? A kebab of bacon-wrapped chicken chunks? Yes, yes please, and hell yes. So make sure that propane tank is at least as full that ice chest, and get to grilling. For those of you in counties that allow the purchase and ignition of smaller scale fireworks, be careful! Don’t blow off your fingers or start any brush fires. And for those of you in “dry” counties like mine, well…don’t drink and drive I guess. Everyone have a super 4th!