I’m a chef & you’re cooking bacon all wrong – ditch oil & try my quick hack to get it perfectly crispy every single time
THERE’S nothing better than a bacon sarnie on a Saturday morning, but according to a savvy chef, we’ve been cooking our guilty pleasure all wrong.
Whilst many might think of bacon as a breeze to cook, it turns out that using oil is not the way forward.
Not only this, but one of the most common mistakes when making this breakfast staple is turning the heat too high on the stove, which can make bacon overcooked.
Luckily for you, Donna Urso, a cook and founder of Just One Donna, has shared that the best way to cook “better” bacon is not oil, butter or even an air fryer or oven.
According to her, all you need is water – yes, you heard that correctly.
Donna claimed that rather than using oil or butter to cook your meat, splashing a bit of water into the pan is the trick to getting “better” bacon without the fuss.
She explained: “This method is quick, and easy, and produces perfectly cooked bacon every time.
“The water helps to keep the bacon from burning and creates a consistent, crispy texture.”
And not only that, but Donna explained that this nifty approach cuts down on the kitchen clean-up too.
She continued: “It is also much cleaner and seems less messy than traditional pan-frying methods.
“The water helps to keep the grease from splattering all over your stove.”
It might sound bizarre, but simmering your rashers stops them from glueing themselves to your frying pan and ensures they brown nicely instead of charring to a crisp.
While boiling away, the porky goodness gets tender, making sure every strip is evenly done and delectably crunchy.
The savvy mum also told the Express: “Cooking with water is ideal for busy people.
How to save money on your food shop
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year:
Odd boxes – plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price.
Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30.
Sainsbury’s also sells £2 “Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me” fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash.
Food waste apps – food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public.
Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio.
Too Good to Go’s app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount.
Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses.
Yellow sticker bargains – yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap.
But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here.
Super cheap bargains – sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they’ve found on the cheap, including food finds.
“Downshift” – you will almost always save money going for a supermarket’s own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands.
The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as “downshifting” and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop.
“Unlike oven-baking, which requires preheating and takes up to 20 minutes to cook, this method takes only 10-12 minutes from start to finish.”
If you fancy giving this cooking method a go, all you need to do is grab a spacious pan to kick things off without cramming your rashers together.
Fridge or cupboard? The essential food storage guide
Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer.
However, this can compromise the flavour.
Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould.
Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables.
He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste.
He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker.
Simply add a bit of water to cover the base of your pan, then pop in your bacon. As the water starts to shimmer, your bacon will begin to cook.
Keep a watchful eye and flip over the bacon once it achieves a golden brown hue.
Once it’s as crispy as you like, remove the bacon from the pan and place it on a paper towel to soak up any remaining water.
Not only will your bacon have an improved texture and flavour, but you’ll also have less washing up to do, as there won’t be a greasy frying pan to clean either.