Kummerspeck for #letslunch

When Rebecca told me she was hosting this month's #letslunch group and that the topic was "Kummerspeck", I knew I had to join in. #letslunch is a group of cooks, bloggers, writers, instructors, etc.  I am sadly, only an avid home cook so I will try to meet the standards set by this illustrious group!


































My husband is first generation GermanCanadian and when I asked him about Kummerspeck, he had never heard the two words juxtaposed.  Although, he's not a writer or a cook - just a damned good volunteer subject for my many culinary experiments.  I asked him what his Kummerspeck would be and we both agreed that when we are really down or depressed, we don't feel much like eating.  So we chatted about comfort food instead.  Based on his German heritage and being raised on the frigid prairies, of course his version and mine are quite different!  I made his last week; it was a Beef Bourguinon served with kartoffelkloesse (say that three times fast) - it's sort of a Germany meets France version of beef stew and potatoes but it's rich, warming and very hearty.

 

When I thought about my own, I got into some serious issues.  My Dad had terminal cancer and I went to stay with him and care for him through his illness, then.  It was often hard to get him to eat, which upset me then, because I wanted him to maintain his strength for as long as he could.  Though after since, having my own battle with cancer, I understand and often feel very guilty about constantly prodding the poor guy.  Anyway, he lived in Myrtle Beach where the clams were fresh of the boat, plump and juicy, so I made a lot of pasta with clams.  I thought it was his comfort food but in hindsight I think it was mine.  We get clams here on the prairies but not as fresh and tasty as I had over those three months.  You can read about that here.  Honestly after that realization, pasta with clams is still a favorite but I cannot eat it when I need comfort, because I think too much about Dad and how I might have done things differently had I known what he was really going through.
On to my current Kummerspeck.  As I mentioned, I don't really reach for food when I am depressed, so clearly my husband and I are very happy in our marriage since we are both currently popping our pants buttons!  I dub this dish, instead, Freudenspeck! (Freuden is the German word for JOY)
It's fast, easy and a sinfully guilty pleasure that also reflects my new home.  It's maple candied bacon - what could say "prairies" more than this dish?  The beauty of this  stuff is that it's probably the easiest thing I cook.  You'll only need a few ingredients; thick sliced hickory smoked bacon, some dark brown sugar, some good quality maple syrup and some cayenne pepper!



















Mix equal parts dark brown sugar and maple syrup in a glass measuring cup and put it in the microwave on high at 30 second increments until hot and bubbly.  For me, this takes only a minute total.  Stir in the cayenne pepper to taste - I use about a teaspoon and a half to 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup maple syrup.
Put your bacon onto a metal rack (I use my enrobing racks since the grid is smaller and the bacon won't slip through) and cover the pan beneath with parchment paper.  The parchment prevents the sticky goo from burning on the pan, so cleanup is a snap and your kitchen doesn't need to be fumigated from the smoke.
Brush the glaze on both sides of the bacon and pop into a preheated oven on the center rack.  I use 300 if I am doing convection bake (preferred method) or 325 without convection.



















Take them out of the oven when they are well caramelized and let them cool completely.  They don't have to seem crisp because as the candied outside cools, they get much crunchier.



















I serve these in a glass - well the ones that actually make it that far.  I did them for a cocktail party I had over the recent holidays and quite frankly, got a lot of complaints.  The complaints were that I hadn't made enough.

























I hope you enjoy - you can always go for a run tomorrow, right?