Celebrating Bacon

People are always looking for a reason to party and the best parties include lots of food and drink. Hosting an International Bacon Day celebration is a perfect reason to plan one. It is celebrated on the Saturday before Labor Day in the United States of America. (Do not confuse it with Bacon Day celebrated in the USA on December 30.)

Months in advance people get busy creating dishes containing bacon; dishes to satisfy the pallet from the first meal of the day to the last bite before bed. The gathering might be hosted at one home with the host doing all the cooking. Others party at one home, but everyone brings a different bacon dish. Friends might get together and plan a full day of eating and socializing by traveling from house to house. Everyone is given a map and the time the next host will be welcoming guests. The day begins with breakfast at one home, then moving on to another home for a morning snack, next traveling to another home for lunch, followed by an appetizer at another friend’s home. The group once again travels to another home for dinner, and evening drinks and dessert are served at the last home. Of course, bacon in some shape or form must be included on the menu at every stop.

For breakfast a simple meal of eggs sunny-side up with bacon slices and toast could be served. For the more adventurous a bacon and egg casserole with spinach and cheese along with a small bowl of fresh fruit might be the breakfast menu. A bowl of hot oatmeal with bacon bits and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey on top makes a nutritious start to the day. Another menu idea is to serve pancakes with bacon. It’s quick, easy, and delicious.

For the morning snack a small salad with bacon bits and apple slices or peanut butter and bacon on crackers is a protein rich snack before lunch.

Menu selections for lunch are endless. Hot German potato salad with bacon in it served with a BLT sandwich is a great option. A baked potato covered with sour cream, chives, cheese, and bacon bits is quick and easy to make. For people wanting a change from the basic loaded baked potato, they can offer a baked potato drizzled with maple syrup and bacon toppings.

For an appetizer, the host could serve asparagus wrapped in bacon or scallops wrapped in bacon. Both can be broiled or put on the grill to add a little extra flavor to the dish. Bite size crackers with cheese and bacon or with bacon and a slice of tomato or cucumber or avocado make delicious appetizers too.

For the main dinner course, depending on how much the host wants to spend, two excellent choices are steak wrapped with bacon cooked on the grill or a juicy bacon cheeseburger. A side serving of grilled vegetables goes well with both entrees.

Later in the evening bacon ice cream could be served for dessert. Bacon homemade candy is another light dessert alternative. Both could be served with a rye-whisky cocktail or a tall glass of German ale.

Don’t shy away from celebrating if you are a vegetarian or a vegan. There is soy bacon that can be used in all the recipes mentioned here. If you are invited to a party where real bacon will be served, make servings for yourself with soy bacon and take them with you. Then, you can enjoy eating and socializing with your friends without compromising your dietary preference.

The phrase, “bringing home the bacon” is defined as to earn a salary, but on International Bacon Day it could refer to literally bringing home the bacon!

https://abc7chicago.com/food/celebrate-international-bacon-day/4119999/