The Bacon Obsession: Delicious or Overdone?

The days of the classic bacon and eggs brunch are over. Cured pork belly is now hitting a plate near you in creative new guises-covered in chocolate, wrapped around a sausage, and believe it or not, as a seasoning for ice cream. If you can dream it, bacon-noisseurs have likely created it. Related: Try these delicious brunch recipes

Data from Chicago-based researcher Mintel reveals that the number of menu items that include bacon is up 26.5% from 2005 at both fast and full service restaurants. And the launch of bacon blogs and fan forums has only fed the frenzy.

All the sizzle has culminated in the creation of J&D's, a company that believes "Everything should taste like bacon." Starting with $5,000 of funding they won from America's Funniest Home Videos, Justin and Dave, two self-proclaimed bacontrepreneurs, launched a line of completely kosher, bacon-flavored salts, spreads, and snacks. Related: For a bacon break, try these healthy snack recipes

And because we couldn't resist, we tried out a few of J&D's piggy products:
1. Baconnaise: If you're not a big mayonnaise fan, then BLTs usually turn out dry and scratchy. But smeared with Baconnaisse, the moist sandwich bursts with bacon flavor. We tried the sandwich sans bacon and hardly even missed the meat since the spread gave a smoky flavor and iceberg lettuce added the crispy crunch. Also try: Rosemary Mayonnaise

2. Bacon Pop: The smell of frying bacon filled the lab as we popped BaconPop. It would have been just the bait to pull us out of bed on a Sunday morning. Smoky yet salty, the popcorn (try this other smoky popcorn version) made a tasty movie-munchie. Related: The best movies to watch at home

3. Bacon Lip Balm: It sure smells like bacon, but this balm didn't leave us licking our lips. Maybe it's better left as a gag gift for a bacon-loving bud. Related: Get younger-looking lips

4. Bacon Salt: Pig met chicken when we rubbed this Bacon Salt on chicken breast and baked it. The rub lost its porky flavor, but gave the chicken a salty side. Also try: Warm Mushroom Chicken Salad with Bacon

5. Bacon Ranch Dressing & Dip: Mixed with buttermilk and mayo for a dressing or sour cream for a dip, this meatless mix made a creamy salad topping that will keep vegetarians on the wagon. Whip it up for a veggie or hot wing dip at your next barbecue. Related: Easy Summer Party Menus

What do you think of the bacon fad? Is it delicious or disgusting?


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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.