Why? Because you can! And pickle, and jam, or otherwise celebrate the resurgence of the domestic arts our forebears held so dear. Put on your best apron and step into our kitchen, won't you?
From Food.Farmer.Earth: Ben Meyer of Grain & Gristle (Portland, Ore.) demonstrates how to cure and smoke pork belly into bacon you can store, and cook up later.
What happens when you take a Canadian Bacon-style cure, blend it with Sichuan and Chinese spices, and smoked it up with a Pastrami-type pepper coating? An irresistible charcuterie mashup that is super easy to make at home.
You'll never believe how easy it is to make your own bacon at home. You control the salt, the sugar, and the flavors; and no preservatives or nitrates are needed. You'll never go back to that florescent-pink store bacon after you try this at home.