Drinks are another essential piece of the football party. Jazz up your Bloody Mary, martini, or any other libation with these easy bacon swizzle sticks from Bacon Nation, by Peter Kaminsky and Marie Rama.
Bacon Swizzle Stick
Makes 1 swizzle stick, can be multiplied as desired
Most swizzle sticks do one thing well: They swizzle. One evening, we invited our friend Richard Bonomo over to enjoy a cocktail and taste a few of our newly tested bacon recipes. Richard, a chemist and avid cook, helped us find a way to make a bacon swizzle stick hold its spiral shape by wrapping it in a paper towel before popping it in the microwave. Sometimes it really helps to have a scientist in the kitchen. The swizzle sticks are great with Bloody Marys, martinis, and planter’s punch. Keep experimenting; it’s fun.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 slice medium-thick bacon (see Note)
INSTRUCTIONS
Arrange a slice of bacon diagonally on top of a piece of paper towel. Holding the slice of bacon at each end, twist the slice in opposite directions into a tight spiral. Fold the paper towel in half over the twisted bacon slice so that the towel’s opposite corners meet. Then, starting at the fold, roll the paper towel under the palms of your hands around the bacon into a tube. Microwave the bacon in its rolled paper towel on high power until it is firm and shaped like a swizzle stick, about 1 minute and 15 seconds. Because microwave ovens vary in power, check for doneness after about 1 minute. Unroll the paper towel and let the swizzle stick cool before using it as a garnish for your favorite Bloody or Virgin Mary.
For more savory, salty, umami-rich recipes like this, make sure to try Bacon Nation by Peter Kaminsky and Marie Rama—just $2.99 for a limited time!
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