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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Chocolate Bacon Bark (A new twist on Chocolate Covered Bacon)


Yep... I have conducted a scientific study.  7 out of 8 people agree that the sweet of the chocolate and the salt of the bacon is an incredible taste sensation!  That 8th person claims that it tastes like someone crapped in his mouth, but I think he was just going into it with a bad attitude.


This all started with a post over at my good buddies' blog, The Mystery Lover's Kitchen.  Earlier in the month, Riley Adams, author of Delicious and Suspicious, the first of the Memphis BBQ Mystery Series, did a post where she showed a spectacular way to marbleize melted chocolate.  She chose to do a Chocolate Pecan Bark that indeed was terrific looking.


Click HERE to get to her original post.


But the conversation on the comments section evolved into different possibilities.  I was inspired.


This last weekend one of our neighbors hosted a gathering for a few neighbors.  So, 8 of us got a chance to enjoy this new taste treat.  Not as "in your face" as my previous servings of full pieces of bacon, covered in chocolate (click HERE for that post).  This was a bit more subtle, with broken up bits of bacon embeded in the chocolate...


And it was SPECTACULAR!!!  Like I said, 7 adventurous souls loved this.  That 8th we won't talk about.


And the process could not be easier.  Fry up some bacon.  I used 4 strips, diced pieces about the size of a little finger nail.  Drain and let them sit on a paper towel to get dry before adding to the chocolate.


Meanwhile...


Make a grid of white and dark chocolate squares on parchment paper lined baking dish.  Alternate them and space them out so they will melt and blend nicely.  Bake in a 200 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes until everything is soft and pliable.  Then take a spatula and mix.  Once you have the look you like, add the bacon bits to the top.


Like this...




When you want to cut this up to bite size pieces, heat a knife in a bowl of HOT HOT water and it will cut into nice squares.  It really is amazing, sweet and salty, a wonderful combination!


But wait, there's more in my devious little mind...


Have you ever seen this...




Chili Pepper laced Chocolate!


Now, how would that be... Mix a little of that with a little white chocolate, again marbleize, same as above and top with a few more strips worth of crumbled bacon and viola...




Chili Pepper infused Chocolate Bacon Bark


7 out of 8 of my readers are salivating at the idea (and 1 of you is imagining someone crapping in your mouth... I do apologize to that guy).


So, Riley... Don't you think Aunt Pat would serve this dessert treat at her BBQ joint???  
...

11 comments:

  1. Dave, I sampled several chili pepper chocolates at a chocolate tasting. Not my cuppa. I'm now itching to try bacon chocolate. Fine chocolatiers sometimes add a dusting of salt atop their truffles, so I can imagine that it's great.

    Your bacon looks wonderful, like little bits of apricot. I'm so glad that Riley inspired you. Wish I was closer, so I could sneak over and be number 9 in the tasting!

    ~ Krista
    Domestic Diva Mysteries

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  2. Oh, Dave! You've taken this recipe to a whole other level! I'm so excited. Lulu would love it with bacon and so would I! She'd definitely have it on the menu. :)

    Now I'm feeling like a little snack of something...

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  3. There is a whole lot going on in this post. Like the poor guy with crap in his mouth. Really?! He hated bacon and chocolate? I think it is a grand idea and must give it a go. OK and now there is a BBQ mystery series? Now that is pretty original. Kinda like all the mystery knitting series but better tasting. Great post!

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  4. I have to say I am a big fan of bacon and chocolate - YUM! I usually buy Mo's Bacon Bars but these look spectacular:)

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  5. If your frying bacon, melting chocolate and eating chili chocolate you must be staying warm in that blizzard! Be safe!
    Rainey

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  6. At first I thought you were kidding when you mentioned combining chocolate with bacon, but Dave - I think you've sold me. Your photos are simply stunning - not to mention mouthwatering. I have tried chili-flavored chocolate and it wasn't bad. Great post!

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  7. Chocolate and bacon. Must test this one out. Doesn't the saying go, everything tastes better with bacon?

    Great idea, Dave.

    ~Avery


    AveryAames.com

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  8. Chocolate and bacon...priceless. Since I do loves me my caramelized bacon bits, I know I'll love your brilliant spin on Liz/Riley's ingeniously easy chocolate-marbling technique, too. Your photos are fantastic, BTW! :)

    ~ Cleo, author of The Coffeehouse Mysteries Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  9. I mis-read the end of your post "top with a few more strips worth of crumbled bacon and viola..." AS "top with a few more strips worth of crumbled bacon and VODKA..." and I got really excited! Even though there's no vodka in it, it still looks awesome.

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  10. when it comes about strange food experiment, i'm always around !!! i love your creative chocolate bacon recipe !!

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