Got a surprise late Christmas present delivered to the house on Friday. A gift selection of hickory-smoked bacon and smoked ham from Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams courtesy of Gia's folks.
I checked this place out about a year ago when I first started making bacon-infused bourbon because the original recipe from PDT in Manhattan used Benton's bacon.. But I didn't order it for some reason. And I'm a bit pissed at myself. Because this is easily the best bacon I've ever tried! I should have had it a year ago! Thick-cut with an incredible smoky flavor. Nothing even comes close. I honestly don't believe I'll ever buy another brand of bacon. It's THAT good.
I was amazed to see that the vacuum-packed yummies were shipped without refrigeration. It's because of the dry-cure process that Benton's uses. They say their bacon will last for 4-6 months in the original packaging in the refrigerator after shipping. I don't think it will last that long in our fridge...we are going to eat it up too quickly!
I slow-cooked it over low heat per the cooking instructions that came with the bacon. It resulting in a uniform and as hearty-looking a bacon as I have ever seen. I reserved the bacon fat to make some bacon bourbon. Well, since this is bacon from Tennessee I decided to use Tennessee Whisky instead. Good ole' George Dickel. And THAT was fantastic. Brought it over to my sister's house this weekend and made a few cocktails for her birthday.
My recommendation? Buy this bacon right now. You won't regret it.
8 comments:
Mmmm....Bacon.
mmm...bacon infused bourbon...You wouldn't happen to be working on a batch of that for a contest winner, would you?
Most assuredly on the list to try, then. Bacon is proof that God loves non-Muslims too, y'know.
sounds delish, sugar! if i send you the money for bacon & bourbon, plus shipping fees, will you make some for us? xox
i also left you a late christmas present last night, right outside your door in a flaming brown paper bag.
feel free to stomp on it... it will let the Christmas out!
Paticus - the problem is shipping it. I had another idea for your prize...I'm working on it. :)
RW - Ya know, I was just reading about beef bacon last night. I can't imagine it's as good, but it's out there for our Muslim friends.
Savannah - Like I said to Paticus, shipping an open bottle of bourbon presents some issues.
Slyde - You crazy kid, you...
Dickel! Yum. Been ages since I've had that stuff!
Ummm, and of course the bacon sounds fabulous, too...
Sybil - I've only recently discovered Dickel. I like it better than JD.
I wouldn't worry too much about bacon that lasts months. Bacon rarely lasts more than 3 days at our place.
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