Make your own peameal bacon and back bacon. You can find both of them all over Canada but not so easily elsewhere. Luckily, theyre easy to make!.
As I’ve already said, one of the annoying things about living away from home is that I can’t get many of the basic foods, treats, and comfort foods that I’m used to.
Mostly, they’re not too hard to make once I get my mind set on making a recipe for something like Tiger Tail Ice Cream or Honey Garlic Cooking Sauce!
I recently bought some “Canadian bacon,” but we don’t call it that; we call it back bacon! I lamented the lack of availability of not only GOOD back bacon, but also peameal bacon.
My husband had only ever had “Canadian Bacon,” which is what we call it here in the US. He had never heard of peameal. anemic, flavourless, very blah ham product. This was a situation that needed to be rectified!.
So, I looked up some recipes and techniques and then made up my own recipe with the flavors I liked.
A few things I needed were sent to me, including Prague Powder, which I had never heard of before. I then called my husband to tell him I was starting a new hobby: curing meat.
When your spouse says something like, “WTF? Because we don’t have enough hobbies?” you know you’re married well when they respond with, “Awesome! I’ve been meaning to start smoking meats! We can do both!”
Smoking back bacon usually requires special tools or skills. Making pea meal bacon, on the other hand, is incredibly simple and doesn’t need any special tools or skills. I was really kicking myself for not having done it sooner!.
Peameal bacon, also known as Canadian bacon, is a type of back bacon made from lean pork loin It is wet-cured in a brine solution and rolled in cornmeal, giving it a distinctive texture and flavor While peameal bacon may look tempting to eat raw, it is not recommended for food safety reasons. Consuming raw peameal bacon can expose you to harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. In this article, we’ll explore the risks of eating raw peameal bacon and explain how to cook it properly to avoid getting sick.
What is Peameal Bacon?
Peameal bacon originated in Canada in the 1850s as a way to preserve pork It’s called “peameal” because historically the pork loin was rolled in ground dried peas after curing, but today it is more commonly rolled in cornmeal The cornmeal coating gives it a distinctive texture while also absorbing some of the brine to boost flavor.
Some key facts about peameal bacon
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Made from the lean boneless pork loin rather than the belly.
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Wet-cured in a brine solution containing salt, sugar, and sometimes nitrates.
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Trimmed of fat before curing.
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Not smoked like other bacons.
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Rolled in yellow cornmeal after curing.
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Milder in flavor compared to smoked bacon.
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Remains tender and juicy when cooked instead of getting crispy.
While the curing and cornmeal coating help preserve the bacon, it does not make it safe to eat raw.
Risks of Eating Raw Peameal Bacon
Eating raw peameal bacon poses a high risk of contracting foodborne illness. Raw pork can harbor harmful bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and others that can lead to serious symptoms or complications:
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Salmonella – causes diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
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Listeria – causes fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. Can be fatal to vulnerable groups.
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E. coli – results in severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
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Trichinosis – parasite that causes diarrhea, muscle pain, fever, and chills.
Consuming raw or undercooked peameal bacon provides an entry point for these pathogens into your body. While the curing and brining process helps control bacteria, it does not completely eliminate the risks. Thorough cooking to an internal temperature of 145°F is necessary to destroy any dangerous organisms.
Eating raw peameal bacon is simply not worth the gamble with your health. Always cook it first to enjoy it safely.
How to Cook Peameal Bacon Perfectly
Cooking peameal bacon properly ensures it is safe to eat while still retaining its signature flavor and texture. Here are some recommended methods:
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Pan-frying – Slice peameal bacon and cook in a skillet over medium heat until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Pour off excess fat as it cooks.
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Baking – Place slices on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-25 minutes until browned and sizzling.
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Grilling – Add slices to a hot grill and cook 2-3 minutes per side. Use tongs to flip carefully.
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Broiling – Arrange peameal bacon slices on a broiler pan and broil 5-7 inches from heat for 2-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
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Roasting – Roast a whole boneless pork loin at 325°F for 1-2 hours until it reaches an internal temp of 145°F. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
No matter which cooking method you use, always cook peameal bacon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F as measured by a food thermometer to eliminate risks from bacteria. Let it rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Delicious Ways to Enjoy Peameal Bacon
Once cooked, peameal bacon can be enjoyed in many quick and easy breakfast, lunch, or dinner recipes:
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Breakfast sandwiches – Add peameal bacon to toasted English muffins or biscuits with egg and cheese.
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BLTs – Crispy peameal bacon is delicious in classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches with mayo.
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Baked potatoes – Top baked russet potatoes with crumbled peameal bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions and sour cream.
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Salads – Toss peameal bacon bits into fresh spinach or mixed greens for a protein punch.
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Soups – Add cooked chopped peameal bacon to potato, clam chowder, or bean soups.
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Pasta – Toss some pan-fried peameal bacon into spaghetti carbonara, linguine alfredo, or mac and cheese.
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Pizza – Sprinkle crumbled peameal bacon onto pizza as a tasty topping.
With its milder flavor, peameal bacon complements both savory and sweet dishes. Get creative with ways to incorporate it into meals and treats!
Food Safety Tips for Handling Raw Peameal Bacon
To avoid risks from bacteria when cooking peameal bacon at home:
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Purchase peameal bacon before the “sell by” or “use by” date on the package.
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Refrigerate promptly and store at 40°F or below. Use within 7 days.
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Do not rinse raw peameal bacon, as this can spread bacteria.
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Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces that have touched raw peameal bacon with hot soapy water.
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Separate raw meats from other foods in your grocery cart and fridge.
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Use a separate cutting board and knife for raw meats. Never place cooked foods back on a surface/plate that held raw meat.
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Cook all raw pork thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F as measured by a food thermometer.
Practicing good food safety habits protects you and your loved ones. Handle peameal bacon carefully and cook thoroughly before eating to enjoy it safely.
Can Kids Eat Raw Peameal Bacon?
It is never a good idea to let kids eat raw peameal bacon or any other raw meat. Children are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses from bacteria than adults, and symptoms can be more severe. The risks simply outweigh any potential benefits.
To keep your kids safe:
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Monitor young children closely in the kitchen when handling or cooking peameal bacon.
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Explain that peameal bacon needs to be cooked before eating. Do not allow them to snack on raw pieces.
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Let kids help mix up a marinade or seasoning blend to coat peameal bacon before cooking.
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Teach older children how to properly cook peameal bacon on the stovetop or in the oven. Supervise for safety.
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Allow children to assemble cooked peameal bacon into fun dishes like breakfast sandwiches, flatbreads, or nachos.
With supervision and age-appropriate jobs, kids can gain cooking skills and safely enjoy peameal bacon. But always cook it thoroughly first before letting them handle or consume it.
The Takeaway on Eating Raw Peameal Bacon
While peameal bacon is a delicious type of Canadian bacon, it should never be eaten raw. Consuming raw pork puts you at risk for foodborne pathogenic bacteria that can cause serious symptoms. Always cook peameal bacon to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F before eating to kill any dangerous organisms. Store raw peameal bacon properly and prevent cross-contamination with other foods in the kitchen. With some simple safety precautions, you can safely enjoy the unique texture and milder flavor of peameal bacon cooked to perfection in all your favorite recipes. Teach kids to wait until it’s cooked before taking a bite too.
Canadian Bacon vs Back Bacon
On paper, the stuff that Americans refer to as “Canadian Bacon” is what we call “Back Bacon”.
In reality – as any Canadian living in the US will tell you – they’re not the same. This goes double for the “Canadian bacon” that ends up on pizza, in my experience.
What’s the difference? Well, it’s hard to say.
Generally, “Canadian bacon” is just. ham. I guess you could say that back bacon is also “just ham,” but it tastes and feels very different from what I would call “just ham.”
What makes American “Canadian bacon” taste bad in the brine? Is it because the meat they use isn’t as good? I don’t know.
I CAN tell you that if you make my Back Bacon while you’re not in Canada, it will probably make you hate “Canadian bacon” forever!
How to Make Peameal Bacon
The whole recipe follows, but as a general overview:
1 – Get a nice looking pork loin roast.
2 – Trim back the fat so there’s only a thin layer remaining on the roast.
3 – Prepare the brine, bringing it to a boil and allowing it to cool.
4. Put the pork loin and brine in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the fridge and wait 5 days.
5 – Discard the brine, rinse the pork loin, and pat dry with a paper towel.
6 – Roll cured pork loin in yellow cornmeal.
7. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill it for a bit before slicing it up.
How to Make Peameal Bacon: Dry Cured (Episode 25)
How do you eat peameal bacon?
Here are some serving suggestions to try: 1. Breakfast Sandwich: Toast a English muffin and layer peameal bacon slices with a fried egg and a slice of cheese for a delicious breakfast sandwich. 2. Salad Topper: Cut peameal bacon slices into small pieces and sprinkle over a salad for added flavor and protein.
Can one eat basil raw or cooked?
Basil can be eaten raw or cooked. However, its raw consumption preserves more nutrients such as vitamin C that are lost with heat. It can be eaten raw in salads, to flavor preparations, in pasta sauces, among other preparations.
Is peameal bacon healthy?
However, in general, peameal bacon is a good source of protein and contains fewer calories and fat than regular bacon. Additionally, it’s a good option for those who are following a low-carb diet, as it contains only 2 grams of net carbs per serving. Peameal bacon has some health benefits, but also some risks that should be considered.
Can you eat peameal bacon in Canada?
However, it can be found across Canada and parts of England. Before cooking peameal bacon slices, it’s important to properly prepare them. Start by unwrapping the bacon and removing any plastic wrap around the meat. Then, pat the bacon dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.