Sweet and spicy bacon

SERVINGS:   TIME: 50 - 65 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
• Rounded 1/4 tsp cayenne
• Rounded 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb thick-cut bacon (about 12 slices)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Position an oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cayenne, and black pepper.
3.  Arrange the bacon slices in one layer on the rack of a large broiler pan or on a rimmed baking sheet covered with aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 20 minutes. 
5. Turn the slices over and sprinkle them evenly with the spiced sugar. Continue baking until crisp and deep golden, about 20-35 minutes more, checking every 5 minutes.
6. Transfer to paper towels to drain before serving.

NOTES:

SOURCE: Orangette

Crunchy pork chops

SERVINGS: 2   TIME: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pork chops, approximately 8 ounces each
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 cup ground nut oil or similar, for frying 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Trim the fat off the chops, cutting carefully around the outside edge.
2. Lay the chops between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and beat them until the meaty parts of the chops are half as thick.
3. Beat the egg in a shallow wide bowl with the mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. On a large plate, combine breadcrumbs with parmesan.
5. Press chops into the egg mixture, coating both sides, and then dip into thebread crumbs, covering evenly. Let them lie on a cooling rack to dry slightly.
6. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan. Oil is at desired temperature if a small cube of bread sizzles when dropped in the oil.
7. Cook the chops until they're a deep golden colour (about 5-7 minutes/side) and serve.

NOTES:

• Cooking time for chops depends on how thin they are and how cold they were before going in the oil.

SOURCE: Nigella Lawson