Other than Salvation, a new baby, or shih tzu puppy, can anything really top bacon?  Actually, I’d probably give up the puppy for the bacon! (It’s okay, Zoe the shih tzu would trade me for bacon any day of the week)

For bacon, I’m usually a black skillet on the stove top, curly, crispy kinda girl.  Something changed that for me…Maple & Black Pepper Bacon, as served at Founding Farmers in D.C.  Founding Farmers is a “farm to table” restaurant, celebrating the American family farmer.

When we had brunch there, I was the only person at the table to order the bacon and it became ~everyone’s~ bacon!  It was so good that we almost placed a second order but, were too ashamed to order an ‘after breakfast bacon’ treat.  Our server mentioned that it was ‘bathed’ in pure maple syrup and ‘rendered’ in indirect heat.  Basically, a fancy way to say brushed with maple syrup and baked in the oven!

So, that’s what I did:  Drizzled thick cut bacon with maple syrup, sprinkled with black pepper and baked to perfection!

No fancy equipment…Just a spoon to coat bacon with maple syrup

Sprinkle with black pepper and bake!

Maple & Black Pepper Bacon
Recipe makes 4 slices but can easily be modified to make as much as you want

4 slices thick cut bacon, I used applewood smoked
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon black pepper(use more if you want)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  On an oven proof skillet or baking sheet(feel free to line it with aluminum foil for easy cleanup!) arrange bacon strips.  Drizzle maple syrup onto bacon strips, using back of spoon to coat all areas.  Sprinkle with black pepper.  Bake for 14-18 minutes, depending on thickness.