Zingerman's Guide to Better Bacon

[amdawson]

Hey everybody,

One of my favorite LC foods is bacon, gosh I love bacon. And although I notice the radical difference between cheap, generic bacon and top of the line bacon, I have room in my heart/stomach for all of it.

I'm going to Michigan right now, and anyone with an Ann Arbor connection is familiar with Zingerman's. What started as a traditional Jewish deli has now grown to a whole community of about 9 or 10 businesses.

During my coursework this year, I got to meet several Zingerman's folks (they have some unconventional business practices that make great case studies), and they certainly know how to find the tastiest food on earth.

Their founder has become a prolific writer, and his latest book is an ode to what he calls "America's favorite fat," bacon. I'm planning on reading it if I can figure out a way to get my hands on it for less than 30 bucks (grad student lifestyle right now).

But anyway, here's a link: http://www.zingermans.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=P-ARI

Please note: this is not a sales pitch, I have no vested interest in whether you buy or read this book, but since bacon is one of my most enjoyable LC indulgences, I thought there must be others out there like me who might be interested in this book.

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[James L]

Thanks for the link. Since you like bacon, you should try some of Nueske's Bacon (http://www.nueskes.com/). Although not the cheapest, it's some of the best, if not the best!

[Frank Hagan]

A Jewish deli owner who writes a book about bacon? For some reason, this really appeals to me!

I like bacon, but I'm certainly no bacon connoisseur! The store brands are OK by me as long as they don't have sugar/carbs in them (forget which brand, but they use a sugar cure that adds a carb here and there).

[isisrose]

Thanks for the link. Since you like bacon, you should try some of Nueske's Bacon (http://www.nueskes.com/). Although not the cheapest, it's some of the best, if not the best!

I was hoping they would have the ingredients, I am looking to find one 100% natural but with NO type of sugar what so ever (not even cane or cane juice), and NO nitrites/nitrates of course.

Anyone know of any?

I was pleased to find an all natural sausage at my Co-op recently with NO sugars of any kind, it's not as good tasting as say Hormel, but better for me. It's Shelton's if anyone is interested.

[amdawson]

The best bacon I've ever had was Burgers' Smokehouse jowl bacon. It's more fatty, smaller slices...but because the flavor is so intense, you don't feel like eating very much!

http://www.zingermans.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=M-JWL&crf=muumrk&gclid=CPvNqu3n15sCFQ8MDQodv3NE-w

I think you could get it cheaper somewhere else probably, though. And I don't know if it's laden with nitrites, etc. but it tastes good!


A Jewish deli owner who writes a book about bacon?
Wow, hilarious. How did I miss that?

[James L]

I was hoping they would have the ingredients, ....
I've never ordered it online, so I've never seen a package with an ingredients list on it.

One of the restaurants in my area serves it because it tastes good, and I order it and eat it because it tastes good. :)

[amdawson]

isisrose, if your profile is right, you are in seattle...i'm certain you can find natural bacon at a local meat market/butcher. If not that, check the farmer's markets. The prices around here for local stuff are usually pretty reasonable (ie. not the rock-bottom walmart frankenfood prices, but not whole wallet prices either).

[Frank Hagan]

I just want to say that I love bacon.

[maxlharris]

I'm going to Michigan right now, and anyone with an Ann Arbor connection is familiar with Zingerman's. What started as a traditional Jewish deli has now grown to a whole community of about 9 or 10 businesses.

Off topic, but I got wind of a sale on Zingerman's Peranzana Olive Oil. Had never heard of Zingerman's, but this stuff is fantastic. Will be checking on them for other products in the future. Oil sale is still in effect (with an economy like this... )
http://www.zingermans.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=O-ZIN


Thanks for the link. Since you like bacon, you should try some of Nueske's Bacon (http://www.nueskes.com/). Although not the cheapest, it's some of the best, if not the best!
A ton of the restaurants around us (here in Chicago), offer either the bacon (which is fantastic) or some other pork from them (also great). Thanks for the link.


The best bacon I've ever had was Burgers' Smokehouse jowl bacon. It's more fatty, smaller slices...but because the flavor is so intense, you don't feel like eating very much!

http://www.zingermans.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=M-JWL&crf=muumrk&gclid=CPvNqu3n15sCFQ8MDQodv3NE-w

In Italy, it's called guanciale. It is the traditional meat in two roman area dishes... Carbonara (total low carb, just find something to make it with, I do Dreamfields, not everyone tolerates it well... eggs, parm, cream, bacon... nice...) and L'Amatriciana (http://www.parlafood.com/l-amatriciana/) (Tomato, guanciale, romano, maybe some cream). Both are fantastic and, imo, better with guanciale than with pancetta. Wife likes it better with center cut bacon.

I think I know what I might get next from Zingermans.

PS- while we're on the subject of cheeks, anyone eat beef cheeks? I have a recipe, but would like some more input.

[isisrose]

isisrose, if your profile is right, you are in seattle...i'm certain you can find natural bacon at a local meat market/butcher. If not that, check the farmer's markets. The prices around here for local stuff are usually pretty reasonable (ie. not the rock-bottom walmart frankenfood prices, but not whole wallet prices either).

So far I've been able to find all natural but have not been able to find without sugar (usually cane juice). :mad: Still on the look out for it though.

[amdawson]

They have several things on sale this summer. Of course their business is biggest around Christmas (or Hanukkah, as it were), and last year their volume fell off a cliff with all the economic turmoil. So they've been working hard all year to liquidate excess inventory of nonperishables, and some of their prices have been stupid low. So keep an eye on their site.

Also, Max, I believe their bakehouse bread is available in a couple of Chi-town locations -- it may be uncouth to say so on this forum, but it really is fantastic. And decidedly high-carb. :-)

[maxlharris]

Not so great to know. I don't keep bread in the apartment, but the wife does. But she opts for English muffins and things like that. But really, I don't eat bread at home unless we have company. And not much then.

[johankrava]

I also like bacon, sometimes a few slices is all I need. And you are right, there is a significant difference between cheap bacon and "top of the line" bacon. I still haven't decided which is my favorite.