While bacon is the everyperson’s ingredient, there is an art to cooking it just right. If you follow our handy tips for cooking it four ways, you will achieve the crispiest, tastiest dishes served this season.   

1. Fried

The classic greasy breakfast relies on bacon fat for its rich flavours. Although bacon has its own fat, some people like to fry it in butter or vegetable oil for additional flavour. YouTuber Robin from Rockin Robin Cooks advises that you “turn your bacon frequently … just stay right there with it, turning those pieces over,” while remembering to rotate the outer pieces to the inside and vice versa to achieve the same crispiness on each slice.  

2. Grilled 

Grilling bacon can produce that lovely crispiness with a deeper flavour all its own compared to other forms of cooking this meaty treat. TikToker Sara Maniez (@lifeslittlesweets) says all you need to remember is to “place the bacon on the grill, spaced out, cover and cook for 7-10 minutes,” for best grilling results.    

@lifeslittlesweets “Have you tried Bacon on the Grill? Grilled bacon is so easy to make with only 1 required ingredient, bacon, and your grill. Try this delicious and incredibly easy way to make bacon!” Ingredients: • 1 pound sliced bacon of choice Get the full, printable recipe, here: https://www.lifeslittlesweets.com/bacon-on-the-grill/ Did you try this recipe? Let us know in the comments below! ##bacon##grill##grilled##grilling##meat##glutenfree##paleo##savory#lifeslittlesweets ♬ original sound – sara maniez

3. Dry-fried

If you’re watching your cholesterol levels, or just prefer less greasy bacon, dry-frying in a non-stick frying pan is a great option. Because it contains its own fat, bacon will fry easily without additional oil once the fat starts melting. You can also ‘dry-fry’ it in a little water. “As the bacon cooks and plumps, the water will eventually simmer away,” says @Mashed on YouTube.  

4. Oven-baked

Oven-baking is a great way to enhance bacon’s salty, rich flavours while adding a lovely crispiness to the meat. It can either be laid on baking paper or on a wire rack to allow the fat to run off into an oven tray below. It’s up to you. If doing the latter, @thestayathomechef advises on YouTube to “just line up your bacon so it’s touching but not overlapping”. Potato and bacon are true friends when it comes to complementing each other and baking them together can yield delicious results. 

The post 5 ways to cook bacon perfectly  appeared first on MyKitchen.

Recreate your favourite comfort dish, but so much healthier! This fake fried chicken still gives you all the juicy flavour, with way less oil.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 20 min

INGREDIENTS
8 chicken pieces
1 cup buttermilk
Juice of ½ lemon
1½ cups cornflake crumbs
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp oil

METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Place the chicken in a shallow container so that it can all fit in a single layer. Pour over the buttermilk and lemon juice and toss to coat. Cover and allow to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
3. Mix the cornflake crumbs with the herbs, garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper.
4. Roll the marinated chicken in the seasoned crumbs, until fully coated.
5. Arrange on a baking tray and drizzle with the olive oil. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: Sean Dollery // HMimages.co.za

While you’re at it with the healthy alternatives, check out these 7 white flour alternatives too!

The post This fake fried chicken is a healthy alternative appeared first on MyKitchen.

These oven-baked coconut and banana chips make a delicious side to serve with your favourite curry. And they’re perfect for kids’ lunchboxes.

SERVES 6 // COOKING TIME 45 min

INGREDIENTS
3 bananas, sliced
¼ lemon, juice
¼ cup grated fresh coconut
¼ cup coconut oil, melted
½ tsp salt

METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 150°C and line a baking tray.
2. Dip the banana slices in the lemon juice, then in the coconut and arrange on the baking tray.
3. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 25 minutes, until the bananas are crispy and the coconut is golden.

Recipe & styling: Chiara Turilli
Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za

Keen to try more chip alternatives? Make these deep-fried pap chips with curry mayo for a budget-friendly option!

The post Oven-baked coconut and banana chips appeared first on MyKitchen.