Bacon boasts the ultimate gourmet buddy
Blog Article
It might as well be a scientific fact: everything tastes better with bacon.
But what’s the ultimate pairing? What taste combo brings the rasher to its peak gourmet glory?
Otway Pork asked its fans to share their wildest, weirdest and most unexpectedly delicious bacon pairings.
The response to our social media callout was phenomenal. Hundreds of replies rolled in – from the sweet to the savoury, from breakfast to beverages, right through to the downright strange.
We’ve sifted through the sizzle and smoke to bring you eight of the boldest bacon combos to take your rasher to the next level.
Tip 1: Banana: This one raised a few eyebrows, but trust us – it’s a winner. The soft, mellow sweetness of banana pairs perfectly with bacon’s crispy crunch. Toss it in a toasted sandwich, fry them up together or just enjoy the fact you’re technically getting your fruit in. Mum would be proud.
Tip 2: Chocolate: Once a novelty, now a gourmet go-to. Bacon’s saltiness cuts through the richness of chocolate for a sweet-and-savoury combo that’s outrageously moreish. Think dark chocolate-dipped bacon strips or crumbled bacon on gooey brownies. Your sweet tooth won’t know what hit it.
Tip 3: Pancakes: Not exactly revolutionary, but still unbeatable. Stack your pancakes high, layer in crispy bacon, drown the whole thing in maple syrup and marvel at your own brilliance.
Tip 4: Prawns: Surf meets turf in this smoky twist on a seafood classic. Bacon-wrapped prawns are a BBQ game-changer – the bacon keeps the seafood superheros juicy and adds a smoky bite. Serve with lemon wedges, cold drinks and smug satisfaction.
Tip 5: Salt: We know what you’re thinking – bacon is already salty. But according to butcher and chef Darren O’Rourke, more is more. He crushes crispy bacon with flaky sea salt using a mortar and pestle to create what he calls “bacon salt” – the ultimate flavour bomb. Sprinkle it over eggs, roast veggies, chips… honestly, anything. It’s salt, but better.
Tip 6: Peanut butter: It’s creamy, crispy, savoury and just the right amount of wrong. Try it in a toasted sandwich, or channel your inner Elvis and add a banana too.
Tip 7: Burgers: Sure, bacon in a burger is great – but have you tried bacon around the burger? Wrapping the patty in rashers before cooking takes things to a whole new level of smoky, crispy brilliance. It’s indulgent, it’s over-the-top and it’s absolutely worth it. Go on, give your burger the bacon it deserves.
Tip 8: More bacon: The only thing better than bacon? Double bacon. Think bacon-on-bacon burgers, bacon bits on bacon-wrapped sausages, or simply sneaking an extra rasher onto your plate. No judgement here. Stack it high. You deserve it.
The wackiest bacon pairing Otway Pork CEO Duncan Parry has tried? A candied bacon garnish on a whiskey sour.
“You wouldn’t think it, but whiskey and bacon go hand-in-hand,” Duncan said.
“I guess it’s a testament to the versatility of bacon – it really does make everything and apparently anything taste better.”
For Duncan, long weekends in Autumn are the perfect time to sizzle up a few rashers.
“We love knowing that Otway Bacon, produced with an obsession for quality from the paddocks of south-west Victoria, is on tables across the nation,” he said.
“Whether it’s one of these crazy combinations or just the classic bacon and eggs, a long weekend is the perfect opportunity to bring everyone to the table.”
Otway Bacon has won medals three years in a row at the prestigious Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards for both its streaky and short cut varieties.
“Our bacon stands out because of its rich, smoky flavour profile. We’re rapt to be considered among Australia’s finest.”
Otway Pork can be found in butchers, delis, specialty food stores and supermarkets across Australia.
“We are encouraging people to head to their local quality butcher or deli and ask for Otway,” Duncan said.
To find out more about Otway Bacon, click here.
