Do you like burnt ends? Is your mantra, “Everything’s better with bacon?” Then you will love this recipe. It’s a sticky, tasty appetizer. Or, if you wish, put it over rice or pasta for a main meal. Take it to your next tailgate party!Shopping for BaconThe two best choices for this recipe are applewood-smoked bacon or maple brown sugar bacon. Plain bacon works, too, but these improve the flavor tremendously. You’ll want to get your meat at a butcher shop. You’re looking for a thick cut with decent marbling. Overly fatty bacon won’t work; you’ll just end up with a blob of sticky fat.Some cooks prefer to use a slab of bacon rather than pre-cut. The slab gives you a perfect media from which to make 1” thick cubes.
Ingredients
1poundsmoked bacon
1tablespoonMaple Sugar barbecue rub(or Maple Bourbon)
3tablespoonsStrawberry applesauce(Alternatively crushed pineapple or mandarin orange pieces)
3tablespoonsReal maple syrup
½tablespoonsWorcestershire sauce
1teaspoonCaribbean hot sauce(or Thai Chili Sauce)
½cupTomato jam(or ketchup)
¼cupMolasses
Instructions
Set the smoker to 275 before you start prep work.
Cut the bacon into 1” pieces
Coat the pieces evenly with your chosen barbecue rub
Put the bacon on a tray with the fat side up
Place in the smoker
While they cook, put the remaining ingredients into a pan
Bring them to a rolling boil
Reduce the heat; simmer for 15 minutes
Set aside
Turn the bacon over for even cooking after one hour
Continue smoking for another hour
Transfer the bacon into a disposable aluminum pan (makes short work for clean up)
Add the sauce to the pan, stirring until all the pieces are evenly coated.
Put the aluminum pan into the smoker for 30 minutes. During this time, the blend will caramelize
Cool for 5 minutes before serving. They will be HOT.