Chocolate Covered Bacon

It's the perfect pairing for Valentine's Day!










CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON


You will need:

large cookie sheet
cooling/baking rack
pastry brush
microwave safe bowl or double boiler
skewers

Ingredients:

1 package (12-16 ounces) thick-cut bacon
1 cup (6 ounces by weight) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon shortening

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 F.

If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes or so.

Place the rack on the cookie sheet.

Thread each slice of bacon on a skewer, place on the rack.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bacon is crispy.






As soon as you put the pan in the oven, turn on your exhaust fan, then go around to every room and open all the windows... check your smoke detector...

When bacon is crisp, remove from oven.  Handle the cookie sheet carefully!  Let the bacon cool completely.

Place the chocolate and shortening in a Pyrex bowl, and microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until the chips are mostly melted.  About a minute or less. 

Stir until completely melted and smooth.  These can also be melted in a double boiler, or by putting the Pyrex bowl over a pan of simmering water (but don't let any water touch the chocolate!).

Using the pastry brush, coat the bacon strips generously with chocolate.  Place on waxed paper and let cool completely.

Cool and store these in the refrigerator, unless your kitchen is in the arctic.

Want it sweeter? Use milk chocolate for all or part of the chocolate chips.