Quick and Easy Guide to Cooking Peameal Bacon in the Microwave

Peameal bacon, a Canadian specialty, offers incredibly flavorful and lean bacon enjoyment without the mess and hassle of frying With its cornmeal crust and mild, ham-like flavor, peameal bacon is ideal for quick cooking in the microwave. Follow this guide to learn how simple it is to make perfect peameal bacon from start to finish using the convenience of a microwave oven

What is Peameal Bacon?

Peameal bacon comes from the lean eye of pork loin that is wet cured, keeping it tender and juicy. It is then rolled in cornmeal, giving peameal bacon its signature crusty exterior that provides unique texture.

Other names for it include Canadian bacon and back bacon. True peameal bacon is not smoked like traditional bacon, resulting in a milder, ham-like taste. It has less fat than regular bacon, but the cornmeal crust keeps it from drying out.

Thick slices of peameal bacon on a bun make a popular breakfast sandwich in its native Canada It’s also excellent in other meals and sandwiches or even as a pizza topping

Benefits of Cooking Peameal Bacon in the Microwave

Microwaving makes peameal bacon super fast and convenient, with none of the splattering hassle of frying. Other benefits include:

• Quick cooking – peameal bacon is done in minutes in the microwave.

• Less mess – contains less grease so minimal splatter and cleanup.

• Consistent results – microwave distributes heat evenly for predictable cooking

• Stay cool – doesn’t heat up the kitchen like turning on the stove or oven.

• Easy recipe customization – just adjust microwave time to preference.

Thanks to its leaner fat content, peameal bacon adapts well to microwave cooking for a fast bacon fix any time of day.

Prepping Peameal Bacon for the Microwave

Proper prep ensures quick, even cooking:

• Remove plastic wrap and pat bacon dry with paper towels.

• Slice peameal bacon into rounds or strips if needed for your recipe.

• Layer slices between paper towels on a microwave-safe plate to absorb grease.

• Avoid overlap so slices cook evenly.

• Let stand 5-10 minutes to allow bacon to lose chill before cooking.

Once prepped, it’s ready for fast microwave cooking.

How to Cook Peameal Bacon in the Microwave

The microwave provides hot, even heat that crisps peameal bacon beautifully:

• Microwave peameal slices on high in 30 second bursts.

• Check and flip bacon, replacing wet paper towels as needed after each cooking interval.

• Cook until desired doneness, from 2-5 minutes total depending on thickness.

• Let stand 1 minute before eating so slices firm up.

Adjust cook times based on your microwave wattage and bacon thickness. With some trial and error, you’ll easily master microwave peameal perfection.

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

To take microwave peameal bacon up a notch, try these easy flavor boosts:

• Brush slices lightly with maple syrup before cooking for sweetness.

• Top cooked bacon with fresh cracked pepper.

• Sprinkle cooked slices with chopped fresh parsley.

• Drizzle cooked peameal bacon with hot sauce or dip in BBQ sauce.

• Enjoy in a sandwich with cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

• Toast bread or buns in the microwave for tasty peameal bacon sandwiches.

With just a few extra ingredients, you can customize microwave peameal bacon to suit any taste.

Avoiding Common Microwave Peameal Bacon Mistakes

To ensure success, sidestep these potential pitfalls:

• Overlapping slices leads to uneven cooking.

• Not draining and replacing wet paper towels causes steaming instead of crisping.

• Cooking too long at high power toughens the bacon.

• Letting bacon sit too long after cooking makes it soggy.

• Skipping the standing time means bacon isn’t fully cooked when removed.

With attention to detail, you can easily avoid mistakes and enjoy perfect peameal bacon every time.

Serving Suggestions for Microwaved Peameal Bacon

The quick cooking and milder flavor of microwave peameal bacon make it ideal in so many dishes:

• Breakfast sandwiches topped with egg and cheese

• Burgers and sandwiches – adds crunch and protein

• Salad or pasta topper in small bacon bits

• Pizza or flatbread with lots of fun toppings

• Wrapped around scallops or shrimp before broiling

• Crumble into soups like pea, bean and potato for texture

• Sprinkle over baked potatoes or Brussel sprouts before roasting

With its versatility, microwave peameal bacon enhances breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.

Storing Leftover Peameal Bacon

To maintain freshness and texture:

• Cool bacon thoroughly before refrigerating.

• Place cooled bacon in a sealed container or ziptop bag.

• Use within 4-5 days for best quality and taste.

To freeze extras for longer storage:

• Cool bacon completely first.

• Wrap very well in plastic wrap, then foil or freezer bags.

• Freeze for 1-2 months.

• Thaw refrigerated overnight before using.

Proper storage retains the delicious flavor and texture of leftover microwave peameal bacon.

Is Microwaved Peameal Bacon Safe?

When heated to an internal temperature of at least 145°F, peameal bacon is safe to eat after microwaving. Ensure food safety by:

• Cooking bacon thoroughly until no pink remains.

• Temping with a food thermometer to confirm safe temperature.

• Letting bacon rest the full standing time after cooking.

• Storing properly refrigerated or frozen.

Observing basic food handling guidelines keeps microwaved peameal bacon safely delicious.

Make Your Own Cured Peameal Bacon

For the absolute freshest peameal bacon flavor, consider curing your own:

• Choose a 3-5 pound pork loin roast and trim fat.

• Make a brine of 1 cup salt to 1 gallon water. Add other spices as desired.

• Submerge pork in brine for 5-7 days refrigerated.

• Remove pork, rinse, and pat dry.

• Roll dried pork loin in cornmeal until fully coated.

• Slice, cook, and enjoy your fresh homemade peameal bacon!

With just a few ingredients an