Caramelized Bacon Recipe
Blackberry, Local Greens
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Ingredients
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Caramelized Bacon
Salad
Dressing
Method
Caramelized Bacon
Prepare oven and baking sheet
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup and place a wire rack on top of the sheet. The rack lifts the bacon so it crisps evenly and the caramelization coats the bacon rather than pooling.
Mix glaze
In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, ground black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Stir until it forms a slightly thick, spreadable glaze.
Glaze the bacon
Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack without overlapping. Using a spoon or pastry brush, lightly brush each strip of bacon on the top side with the brown sugar-maple glaze. Reserve any extra glaze for a quick second brushing halfway through baking.
Bake
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, quickly brush the bacon with the reserved glaze and rotate the pan. Continue baking for another 6–8 minutes, watching carefully so the sugar caramelizes but does not burn. Total baking time will be 18–20 minutes depending on thickness and oven. Bacon should be crisp at the edges and sticky-shiny on top.
Cool and chop
Remove bacon from oven and let rest on the rack for 3–5 minutes; the glaze will harden slightly. Transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop into 1-inch pieces for salad topping.
Dressing
Whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until the dressing emulsifies and is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning (add a little more honey for sweetness or vinegar for brightness).
Salad Assembly
Toss greens and dressing
Place the local mixed greens in a large bowl. Add the minced shallot and about two-thirds of the dressing. Gently toss to coat the leaves lightly; you can add more dressing to taste but the goal is a lightly dressed salad so the bacon and blackberries shine.
Add toppings
Transfer dressed greens to a serving platter or individual plates. Scatter the fresh blackberries, toasted nuts, and crumbled goat cheese over the top.
Finish with bacon
Distribute the chopped caramelized bacon evenly over the salad. Finish with a few whole blackberries for presentation and a final crack of black pepper to taste.