New Bake Ware

I just ordered some inexpensive bake ware off of Yardsellr. I'm looking forward to getting the muffin pan so I can try out cloverleaf buns.
Yesterday we went to Jon's Market and I picked up some wheat flour and corn meal to round out my baking staples. And I got some feta cheese for some baked breakfast bread with bacon and eggs in it. That should be interesting.

And I got the peanut butter for peanut butter and bacon muffins. It sounds so bizarre that I have to try it soon.

Baked Bacon

After years of hassling with pan fried bacon, including the tiny burns you get with it pops and lands on you and the grease spots all over my counter and clothing, a friend says to be, "Why don't you just bake it in the oven."

He said that is common knowledge but it was news to me so I'm guessing at least one of you out there doesn't know this.
Advantages: The bacon shrinks less.
The bacon lies flat.
You don't have to babysit the pan.
It won't burn if you turn your back.
Less grease splashing everywhere.
It gets nice and crispy and cooks more evenly.

How to bake bacon:
1. Get a baking sheet and cover with parchment paper. The paper with absorb some of the grease.
2. Lay out bacon in a single layer.
3. Heat over to 350 degrees.
4. Put bacon in oven and set a timer for 20 minutes.
5. Check to see if it's done when the timer goes off, and if not, leave it in for another few minutes.
6. Drain on paper towels.
7. Turn off oven.
8. Enjoy

Korean Market Has Sprouts

One of the advantages in living in S. CA is there are a lot of ethnic markets here. Today we went to a Korean market up on Beach Bl. and they had an amazing collection of sprouts.  The ones I can remember are radish, beans,  and alfalfa. I like sprouts on sandwiches and in salads but I have the seeds at home to grow my own.

I'll have to remember to take my camera next time to show you the shop sign, but it's called Han Nam Chain Super 1 Mart. It's our favorite place to go to get kimchee, fish oil, and things like red pepper paste. They also have food samples, and freshly cooked food ready to go.  And there is also a food court but we haven't had a chance to eat there yet.

Back to Baking

Recently we picked up some used cookbooks.  One of the bread books has me thinking about baking bread again soon. My main problem with bread is my boyfriend barely eats it and I don't need to get any fatter than I already am.  So if I'm going to bake some, I need more friends in real life to share it with. I need to get in the habit of baking for pot lucks or to take to SCA events or to take to friends and relatives.  Then the group of us can have a muffin or two and I don't end up eating a whole loaf of bread or 2 dozen cupcakes. The most bizarre recipe in one book is Bacon and Peanut Butter Muffins. I may make that just out of curiosity. But I am willing to try to make a new sourdough starter or some tofu bread or sopaipillas or onion crescent rolls. I'll keep you posted.