Bacon, and More Bacon

Earlier this week, Colleen decided to try out a couple of new bacon recipes she had recently come across. While a late night bacon taste test is not a regular occurrence around here, it was looked forward to with much anticipation.

The first recipe was called "Millionaire's Bacon." Thick cut bacon is coated with a rub of sugar, cayenne and black pepper. The coated bacon strips are baked until they are crisp and crunchy. In this test batch the bacon was cooked until "almost burnt." All the tasters decided the extra charred bits were the most tasty. The peppery rub was applied heavily and the flavor was intense. It hit the palate strongly, but, interestingly enough, quickly faded to not burn out the taste buds.

Millionaire's Bacon

The second recipe was for "Beer Candied Bacon." In this case the bacon is brushed with a brown sugar and stout glaze. As the meat is baked, it is repeatedly brushed with more glaze. After cooking, the bacon strips are allowed to cool and the glaze hardens into a candy-like coating. Colleen used a Dogfish Head Chicory Stout in the glaze. The recipe called for just 1/4 cup of the beer, so I enjoyed sipping on the rest of the bottle while the bacon treats cooked.

Bacon Candy

Of the two, the taste testers were unanimous in their selection of Millionaire's Bacon as the best of the two. The spicy strips provided an intense flavor treat in a crunchy, fun form. Both bacons were also tasted as condiments for a molten chocolate cake. We dipped pieces of the bacon in the hot, gooey chocolate. Again, the Millionaire's Bacon reigned supreme. The combination brought out the bacon flavor, and reined in the warm spiciness a tad.

The Millionaire's Bacon is a keeper. We are already discussing using it in the annual beer tasting we'll do this Spring for our son's school fundraiser. Of course, we'll have to taste this treat again in order to figure out the best way to use it in a beer and food pairing.

Juxtapositions and Conflicts

I've frequently commented in these pages about how we are always conscious that our shooting and beer drinking interests don't overlap, or are enjoyed in the proper order. It takes planning, and sometimes sacrifice. I often get a kick out of how often that items of two of my favorite interests show themselves at the same time. Some of the juxtaposition is of my own doing, such as my dry fire setup. Some of it happens serendipitously, such as the time an ammo order and a beer trade package arrived the same day.

A couple weeks ago the delivery pairing happened again. I went to the door to grab a box of target pasters the UPS driver had dropped off and I spied an unexpected package as well. That sight gave me a smile as I recognized the shape immediately. It was another sample from our friends at Flying Dog Brewery.

Have no fear, we'll put them both to use, in the proper order, soon.

What Difference Does It Make?

What difference indeed...

Malfeasance. Betrayal. Wickedness. Deceit. Need I say more?

“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” --Edward R. Murrow

Drinking The Seasons

Sunday, after Mass, after a trip to the grocery store, after a quick pizza lunch, after doing my dry fire practice, I decided I wasn't doing anything else, except relax with a few good beers. I went to the fridge and dug around to see what suited my fancy on a cold snowy afternoon. I spied a bottle of Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale. This hoppy brown ale has a rich caramel malt flavor with a sweet finish. At just 5.5% ABV, it was just right for a mid-afternoon treat.

Later that day, it was time for a beer to enjoy with a pre-dinner snack. Colleen whipped up a batch of the classic Ro*tel and Velveeta queso. (Watch out arteries!) I had just been thinking about opening a New Belgium Snow Day Winter Ale when Colleen mentioned she'd like one. We discussed if the malty beer would go with the spicy dip, and decided to try it anyway. As we stood around the table snacking, it was decided the answer to that question was "just fine." The beer was flavorful enough and had a sufficient hop component to stand up to the warm "cheese" dip.

The Snow Day enjoyment continued with a dinner table full of nacho fixins. Traditionally I'll go for big hoppy beers with spicy foods, but the malty beer paired up well with the spicy beef, guacamole, salsa and salty chips.

If I had not run out of day, I suspect I could have found something with Spring in the name to enjoy next.

A Legitimate Right to Self Defense

A post over on Gabriel Possenti Shooters addresses the dual issues of the right to defend oneself and the importance of protecting our individual freedoms, from both the religious and secular viewpoints.

Self-defense and the Second Amendment; there has been a lot of talk about these subjects recently. After the horrific murder of the school children, politicians and media celebrities have aggressively dominated the world of communication with calls to curtail the individual's right to self defense, a God-given right, by taking away our liberty. 

Rather than overreact with emotional "quick fixes" of more legislation stripping us of our freedom (which has not proven to be effective with the current slate of laws already covering gun ownership) a few orderly thoughts as to what is True and how to best proceed are in order. There are two parts to consider: the right to defend oneself and the importance of protecting our individual freedoms. They go hand in hand.

Go read the whole thing.

Shopping For Scissors

The Department of Homeland Security let us know that if we encounter an active shooter, we can protect ourselves with scissors. Since then, I've been trying to find the right tool to add to my EDC (Every Day Carry) gear.

It's confusing, there are so many styles of scissors to choose from. And then there's also the problem of how to carry this weapon. Should I use a Strong Side or Inside the Waistband holster? I think Appendix Carry is probably not a good idea. What about "BUS" (Back Up Scissors)? Is one pair enough? Plastic or metal grip? How does one balance blade length and concealability? Of course, concealment brings up the legal questions. Can scissors be carried concealed or must they must be open carried? Virginia's Concealed Weapons law doesn't specifically mention scissors so it's unclear in this regard.

And I thought firearm selection was confusing. Decisions, decisions.

Finally, More Insanity

After a false start last week, Park Lane Tavern put on the rescheduled Steal the Glass* night earlier this week, featuring Blue & Gray Temporary Insanity Stout. Despite having had dinner out three of the previous four nights, we couldn't resist taking part. (Hey, Lent starts in less than two weeks; I'll make up for it!) It's also fun way to support our local brewery.

The beer was served in tall 20 ounce pilsner-style glasses with the Blue & Gray logo. I was expecting the usual shaker pints, of which I have many from the brewery. The nicer glass was a pleasant surprise. The intense roasted, espresso flavor of the stout is enjoyable and hides the 13% ABV well. I enjoyed a small bit about Temporary Insanity at the brewpub recently, and there's not much more to add to the review. It tasted great as usual. This time I was happy to have the time to sit for a full glass of the beer, instead of the quick half pint of the previous serving. I have a couple of bottles in the beer fridge as well, so when I next enjoy Temporary Insanity, I might even pour more than one glass!

It was a good looking beer.

*Steal the Glass is a bit of a misnomer. I'm pretty sure we paid for those glasses.

Thanks to Colleen for getting a picture in the low light.

St. Brigid Pray For Us

February 1 is the Feast Day of St. Brigid of Ireland. Our family has long had an affection for this great Saint. During our recent trip to Ireland I came to realize just how popular she is in that country, second only to St. Patrick it seems.

This revered Saint has a most interesting association with beer. According to tradition, Brigid was working in a leper colony when they ran out of beer. Since beer was an important source of safe liquid refreshment and nourishment, this was indeed a serious issue. Brigid is said to have changed her bath water into beer to nourish the lepers and visiting clerics. In another miracle attributed to St. Brigid, she provided beer to 18 churches for an entire Easter season, all from a single barrel of beer in her convent.

A well-known prayer attributed to St. Brigid begins "I'd Like A Great Lake Of Beer For The King Of Kings. I Would Like To Be Watching Heaven's Family Drinking It Through All Eternity." Perhaps we'll all get to see that great lake some day.

Ballintubber Abbey, County Mayo, Ireland

Ring of Kerry, County Kerry, Ireland

Knock Shrine, County Mayo, Ireland

The Black Abbey, Kilkenny, Ireland

Photos by C. Turley