Letters From My Kitchen: B is for Bacon: Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookies (Jessica)

Hello there!

Yes, you there, come closer! This week, I made a recipe that featured bacon. Good thing I don't keep kosher! Anyway, I started thinking about bacon as part of the expression "bring home the bacon." If you know me, you know that I am kind of terrible at expressions. They never make sense! Oh I can use them as well as the next gal, but I bet none of us REALLY know what we're saying.

In order to remedy this tragedy, I've done some research for you into the origin of the saying, "bring home the bacon." First off, here's what it means: to earn money, especially money for one's family; to be successful, especially financially successful.
Origins: it is a 20th century phrase that was coined in the USA in relation to boxing. Joe Gans and 'Battling' Oliver Nelson fought for the widely reported world lightweight championship on the 3rd of September, 1906. In coverage of the fight, the New York newspaper The Post-Standard, 4th of September, 1906, said that the winner would "bring home the bacon." After that, the saying increased in popularity as it was printed in other papers covering other boxing matches. (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bring-home-the-bacon.html)

*Disclaimer: even though I found this information on the internet, that doesn't necessarily mean it's true. And I didn't cite using APA 6th Edition format. So what.*

So now, let me bring you this interesting bacon cookie recipe!

Chocolate Chip Bacon Pecan Cookies
from NPR: Bacon Gets Its Just Desserts
makes 20-24 cookies

Ingredients:
5 strips bacon
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans

"The proof is in the ~~pudding~~ bacon."

Directions:
1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook bacon, turning several times until browned (6-8 minutes). Transfer to a towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Chop finely. OR cook bacon in the microwave between layers of paper towel.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.

4. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla extract, beat until just blended.

5. Add the dry ingredients, beat until just incorporated and the flour is dissolved. Stir in the chocolate chips, pecans, and bacon.

6. Drop tablespoonfuls of cookie dough 2 to 3 inches apart (they will spread) on baking sheet.

Bake for 12 -14 minutes, or until firm and golden brown around the edges, and still slightly soft in the center. Transfer to a rack and cool for 15 minutes.

Review:
If you love bacon and you love the sweet and salty combination, these cookies are for you! They seem very exotic but are secretly really easy to make--just a typical cookie recipe. It turns out I prefer to eat my bacon with eggs, and even then, I don't LOVE bacon. These were definitely interesting cookies though, and they got good reviews from the bacon fans that tasted them! One fun thing to do: make the cookie tasters guess what the special ingredient is! Every single person guessed it after tasting a cookie :)