A warm bacon sandwich is a popular breakfast choice, but many people avoid cooking bacon because of the mess it creates. Hot fat spattering and scrubbing a greasy frying pan are common deterrents.
While pan-frying seems like the obvious method, it often produces less crispy results. The bacon sits in its own rendered fat for too long, leading to limp and charred pieces that are not enjoyable.
A Butcher-Approved Alternative
A simpler technique, endorsed by a butcher, takes only three minutes. All that is needed is kitchen roll, a plate, and a microwave.
Microwaving bacon is entirely possible and works best for those who prefer crispier bacon. It heats evenly and sheds surplus fat, which is absorbed by kitchen paper, making it less greasy than pan-fried bacon.
Simon Howie from The Scottish Butcher advocates this method. He said: "While giving your bacon a blast in the microwave might not be the first cooking method that pops into your head, bacon cooked in the microwave comes out oh-so-crispy and delicious."
How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Personal preference determines cooking time, but the steps are simple. Start by laying a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate to absorb fat released during cooking.
Arrange four rashers of bacon on the paper towel, spaced slightly apart. Place a second sheet of kitchen towel on top to shield the microwave from splattering.
The butcher recommends two minutes, though three minutes produced crispier results. Beyond being mess-free, the quicker cooking time and fat absorption by paper towels reduce the lingering smell of grease.
This stress-free approach avoids hot oil splattering and is marginally healthier, as cooking in oil adds unnecessary calories to an ingredient already high in fat, particularly streaky bacon.
