I thought about placing this in the Alcoholic Beverage forum but my intention is that flavors that might otherwise make for an unsafe sauce, say by the addition of fats can be safely accomplished.
Basic infusions are very simple to do and can add great flavor to your sauces, chutneys, and other delectables. While any spirit can be used including plain grain alcohol, I prefer to use plain 80 proof Vodka. I use a cheap one but still one that isn't harsh with off flavors.
For this one I'm making a Bacon Infusion for a sauce. I choose to do this one as it's done differently than say an herb infusion. Herb infusions are as simple as adding dried herbs to the bottle and letting it sit for a while then filtering the liquid out. Bacon can be done 2 different ways. I use a combination of both.
First find a container that will hold it and pour some Vodka in. Close the container and give it a good shake so all surface area is coated to sanitize the container.
Now your ready.
Cut the bacon up into say 1 inch wide pieces and fry it up. When a good portion of the fat has been rendered use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon.
Method 1, Fat Washing
This is the quickest method as it takes only about 3 hours. To the container of Vodka, and I chill it first, add the fat from the pan, close the container and shake the heck out of it.
Then give it another shake every 15 minutes or so. It will start to look like this.I
After 3 hours are up place it upside down in the freezer till the fat is frozen. Once frozen you can pour off the Bacon Vodka through a wire sieve and some coffee filters and add it to your second method.
Method 2: Bacon Soak:
This method takes 3 weeks to complete. Once you have removed the fat from the pan, return the bacon and continue to fry it till it's done. Using the slotted spoon remove the bacon draining as much fat as you can and add it to the Vodka in your jar.
Close the jar up and set it aside for the next 3 weeks. When it's done pour off the vodka through the wire sieve and coffee filters and bottle back into the Vodka bottle.
Side by side shot:
The amount of Bacon you use is dependent on what your going to use it for. To use it for a BLT Martini, you only need to use about a quarter to a half pound if bacon to a fifth of Vodka. For sauces I go up to about a pound and a half of Bacon to a fifth. You'll need to play around with it and see what your preference is.
So there you have it. A simple method that can add a real WOW factor to your favorite hobby.
Cheers,
RM
Basic infusions are very simple to do and can add great flavor to your sauces, chutneys, and other delectables. While any spirit can be used including plain grain alcohol, I prefer to use plain 80 proof Vodka. I use a cheap one but still one that isn't harsh with off flavors.
For this one I'm making a Bacon Infusion for a sauce. I choose to do this one as it's done differently than say an herb infusion. Herb infusions are as simple as adding dried herbs to the bottle and letting it sit for a while then filtering the liquid out. Bacon can be done 2 different ways. I use a combination of both.
First find a container that will hold it and pour some Vodka in. Close the container and give it a good shake so all surface area is coated to sanitize the container.
Now your ready.
Cut the bacon up into say 1 inch wide pieces and fry it up. When a good portion of the fat has been rendered use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon.
Method 1, Fat Washing
This is the quickest method as it takes only about 3 hours. To the container of Vodka, and I chill it first, add the fat from the pan, close the container and shake the heck out of it.
Then give it another shake every 15 minutes or so. It will start to look like this.I
After 3 hours are up place it upside down in the freezer till the fat is frozen. Once frozen you can pour off the Bacon Vodka through a wire sieve and some coffee filters and add it to your second method.
Method 2: Bacon Soak:
This method takes 3 weeks to complete. Once you have removed the fat from the pan, return the bacon and continue to fry it till it's done. Using the slotted spoon remove the bacon draining as much fat as you can and add it to the Vodka in your jar.
Close the jar up and set it aside for the next 3 weeks. When it's done pour off the vodka through the wire sieve and coffee filters and bottle back into the Vodka bottle.
Side by side shot:
The amount of Bacon you use is dependent on what your going to use it for. To use it for a BLT Martini, you only need to use about a quarter to a half pound if bacon to a fifth of Vodka. For sauces I go up to about a pound and a half of Bacon to a fifth. You'll need to play around with it and see what your preference is.
So there you have it. A simple method that can add a real WOW factor to your favorite hobby.
Cheers,
RM
