How To Prepare Cured Pork

Below the heading of cured pork could also be included lots of the cuts of pork, for a big a part of a pork carcass might be preserved by curing. Nonetheless, this time period is often restricted to incorporate salt pork, bacon, and ham. As has already been realized, salt pork is obtained from the stomach; bacon, from the center minimize; and ham, from the 2 hind legs of pork.

SALT PORK.–Because the minimize used for salt pork is nearly solely fats, this piece is seldom used alone for the desk. Often, it’s broiled to be served with some particular meals, corresponding to fried apples, however for probably the most half it’s used for larding; that’s, slices of it are laid throughout the floor of meat and fish which might be missing in fats and that subsequently cook dinner higher and have a extra agreeable taste when fats in some type is added. Pork of this type is often purchased by the pound after which sliced by the housewife as it’s wanted for cooking functions.

BACON.–The center minimize of pork, upon being cured by smoking, is considered bacon. It’s generally used for larding functions, however because it accommodates extra lean than salt pork, has a really pleasing taste, and is probably the most simply digested fats recognized, it’s a lot used for meals. A chunk that accommodates the standard proportion of fats and lean is proven in Fig. 22. The strip of fats that happens between the rind, or outer coat, and the primary layer of lean is the firmest and the very best for larding. The fats that fries out of bacon is great to be used within the cooking and seasoning of different meals, corresponding to greens and meats. When bacon is cooked for the desk, its taste will probably be improved whether it is broiled quite than fried in its personal fats. The rind of bacon ought to, as a rule, be trimmed off, nevertheless it ought to by no means be wasted, for it might be used to grease a pancake griddle or any pan during which meals is to be cooked, offered the bacon taste won’t be objectionable.

In buying bacon, it’s often extra economical to purchase the entire aspect, or all the center minimize, but when smaller portions are desired, any quantity, both in a single piece or in slices, could also be purchased. The commercially minimize bacon, which could be very skinny and turns into very crisp in its preparation, could also be purchased with the rind retained or eliminated. In each of those types, it’s usually put up in jars or packed neatly in flat pasteboard bins. Whereas such bacon is undoubtedly the preferred sort, it must be remembered that the extra preparation that’s placed on such a meals earlier than it enters the house, the dearer it turns into. Very passable outcomes might be obtained from bacon purchased within the piece if care is utilized in reducing it. To safe very skinny, even slices, a knife having a skinny blade that’s stored sharp and in good situation ought to at all times be used.

BACON AND EGGS.–There are lots of combos during which bacon is without doubt one of the meals, however no extra palatable one might be discovered than bacon and eggs. That is usually a breakfast dish; nonetheless there is no such thing as a motive why it can’t be used at occasions for luncheon or supper to present selection.

To organize this mix of meals, first pan-broil the specified variety of slices of bacon in a sizzling frying pan till they’re crisp after which take away them to a heat platter. Into the fats that has fried out of the bacon, put the required variety of eggs, which have first been damaged right into a saucer. Fry them till they attain the specified diploma of hardness, after which take away to the platter containing the bacon. Serve by inserting a slice or two of bacon on the plate with every egg.