First attempt at bacon

[Tenpoint5]

Bacon looks good lots of meat. Some lean healthy Bacon! :D

[Quarlow]

I did remove the skin (I did not post the picture because it was a bit of a hack job and did not look very good).  I believe in the UK most bacon sold in the stores still has the rind on, maybe folk from other parts of the globe could chime in and let us know what bacon is like in their country.

Well this actually jogs my memory from childhood, My mom used to buy bacon with the rind on and I remember that I loved it. Wow I was probably 5 or 6 years old then.

[happy49219]

do you think it would be ok to inject some maple syrup into the belly?

[Habanero Smoker]

do you think it would be ok to inject some maple syrup into the belly?

It would be better to have added the maple syrup as part of a wet brine then inject at the beginning of the curing stage. It you are going to just inject maple syrup, I would do it after the bacon is fully cured, then let it rest 24 - 48 hour prior to smoking, to allow time for the maple syrup to even distribute.

[RAF128]

I also remember having bacon as a kid,a long time ago :o, that had the rind on it.   Used to knaw on it.   It had lots of flavor.    My dad used to buy bacon at a butcher shop and had to slice it himself or maybe he preferred to slice it himself.   I've looked for it and can't be found.   

[ArnieM]

You gotta do it yourself RAF.  Buy pork belly, skin on, cure it and smoke it.

Times have changed  >:(  Now, everyone seems to want pre-cut green beans, carrots and potatoes.  I find it very discouraging that many "modern" people seem to have forgotten how to slice, dice and cook.

[Tenpoint5]

You gotta do it yourself RAF.  Buy pork belly, skin on, cure it and smoke it.

Times have changed  >:(  Now, everyone seems to want pre-cut green beans, carrots and potatoes.  I find it very discouraging that many "modern" people seem to have forgotten how to slice, dice and cook.

Ain't that the truth

[KevinG]

Speaking of carrots, does anyone know if those baby carrots are a special breed or are they just regular carrots cut down to bite size? They seem sweeter than regular carrots.

[RAF128]

If I could find it with the rind on I would but it's always been taken off.    Must taking all the rind and sending them somewhere to make bacon puff or whatever you call them.

[ArnieM]

Speaking of carrots, does anyone know if those baby carrots are a special breed or are they just regular carrots cut down to bite size? They seem sweeter than regular carrots.
[/quote

I've often wondered the same Kev.  Check out the link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_carrot

[KevinG]

I guess the due to the marketers, we'll never know. Some are cut and some are pulled before they are grown full size. I guess that answered my question.