Cooking Recipes Articel

The phrase "pass the bacon" is beginning to have a more nutritious meaning for millions of health-conscious Americans incorporating Canadian bacon into their diets.

Best known as an ingredient in Eggs Benedict
Canadian bacon's recent rise in popularity stems from the low-carbohydrate diet craze. Although carb counting is no longer as fashionable
Canadian bacon remains a healthy cooking option because it's low in fat and high in protein.

With "bacon" in its name
consumers often confuse Canadian bacon with traditional American bacon
according to Philip Jones
president of Jones Dairy Farm
a leading U.S. producer of Canadian bacon. However
unlike its fatty American counterpart
Canadian bacon is a lean smoked meat made from the tender pork loin. It's precooked and has an appearance and flavor more similar to ham.

Jones points out an important difference between Canadian bacon and Canadian-style bacon. Real Canadian bacon is strictly the loin meat
but Canadian-style bacon is typically made from sirloin hip meat and includes ground pork trim. Jones believes consumers will prefer the higher-quality authentic product because it provides a more uniform appearance
better texture and superior taste.

"Real Canadian bacon provides fuller flavor and firmer texture
said Jones.
It's a premium ingredient that adds a wonderful smoky flavor in salads
sandwiches
soups or even by itself." He offers the following recipe showcasing the versatility of Canadian bacon.

Cajun-Style Gumbo

Makes 5 (11/2-cup) servings

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 green bell pepper
diced

1 medium onion
diced

4 cloves garlic
minced

2 tablespoons flour

1 (141/2-oz) can diced tomatoes
undrained

1 cup chicken or beef broth

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

3/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1 (10-oz) package frozen sliced okra
thawed

8 Jones Golden Brown precooked sausage links or patties
coarsely chopped

1 (6-oz) package Jones Canadian Bacon slices
cut into strips

2 cups hot cooked rice

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add green pepper
onion
garlic; cook 5 minutes
stirring occasionally. Add flour; cook and stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes
broth
thyme
oregano
pepper sauce; bring to simmer. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in okra and sausage; simmer covered 5 minutes. Stir in Canadian bacon; simmer uncovered 3 minutes. Ladle into five shallow bowls; top with rice
parsley.

Cajun-Style Gumbo made better with the addition of real Canadian bacon.