Move over, frying pan. A culinary revelation is sweeping across British kitchens, challenging everything we thought we knew about cooking the perfect bacon. Forget sizzling it in oil or butter—the secret to achieving irresistibly crispy, evenly cooked rashers has been hiding in plain sight: water.
The Soggy Secret to Crispy Perfection
It sounds counterintuitive, but starting your bacon in a cold pan with a small amount of water is the professional chef's trick for flawless results. This method, championed by culinary experts across the UK, promises to deliver the ideal combination of a crispy texture and rich, smoky flavour without the risk of burning or uneven cooking.
How to Cook Bacon with Water: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Arrange your rashers in a cold, large skillet or frying pan in a single layer.
- Add just enough water to barely cover the bottom of the pan, approximately ¼ cup.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the water to a simmer. The water will gently cook the bacon initially.
- Let the water evaporate completely. As it does, the rendered fat will take over, frying the bacon to a beautiful, golden crisp.
- Continue cooking for another minute or so, turning the rashers until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat before serving.
Why Does the Water Method Work?
The science is simple yet brilliant. The water gently renders the fat from the bacon at a lower temperature, ensuring the meat cooks evenly throughout without the outside burning before the inside is done. By the time the water evaporates, the fat has fully rendered, providing the perfect medium to fry the rashers to a crisp finish. This results in bacon that is:
- Evenly cooked with no chewy, underdone bits.
- Remarkably crispy without being burnt or brittle.
- More flavourful, as the gentle cooking process preserves the smoky taste.
- Less splatter, making for a much cleaner and safer cooking experience.
So, the next time you're preparing a full English breakfast or simply craving a bacon sandwich, ditch the oil. Embrace the water method for what could be the best bacon of your life.
