Bacon Without the Mess: How to Microwave Bacon

Fresh, crispy, bacon: is there anything better with eggs? Many of us have fond memories of weekend family breakfasts that smelled of bacon, pancakes, and eggs, so it makes sense that bacon is as popular today as it was 20 years ago.

The only problems are the cooking time and mess, because it splatters grease everywhere. But we have a solution: cook it in the microwave. All you need is a microwave-safe plate, a few bacon strips, and a cover.

Pork bacon comes from the belly of the pig. It contains plenty of fat and has a very crispy texture.

It comes as no surprise that bacon has been enjoyed for many years; dating back to approximately 1500 B.C., when the Chinese started salting and curing pork belly. This trend, of course, caught on and began spreading around the world and is now enjoyed in multiple countries in various ways.

Before we jump into the different variations of bacon and how to cook it, it's important to know some helpful tips beforehand.

• Do start with a microwave-safe plate. Remember, the plate will get very hot, so be sure you handle it carefully.
• Don't stack slices of bacon on top of each other, as you'll risk it not being cooked evenly.
• Do add paper towels under the bacon and on top of the slices of bacon. This helps soak up the grease.
• Don't overcook. Remember: Microwaves are made to cook very quickly and at high temperatures, so be sure to watch it carefully.

There are so many different flavors and kinds of bacon, that it's hard to disappoint anyone! Whether you like your bacon paper-thin or thick-cut, or maybe you prefer your bacon to be sweeter over saltier, there's truly something for everyone. Let's take a look at some of the different variations of bacon:

• Classic homestyle bacon
• Turkey bacon
• Applewood smoked bacon
• Maple-glazed bacon
• Black pepper bacon
• Hickory smoked bacon
• Lower-sodium bacon
• Thick-cut bacon

We're sure there are many more flavors out there, but this list can get pretty long. There are also different types of bacon from around the world. Here are just a few of those:

• American-style bacon
• Canadian bacon
• Irish bacon
• Slab bacon
• British bacon (or rashers)
• Pancetta
• Pork belly (Asian bacon)

Now what you've been waiting for: how to microwave bacon. This a basic guide, so feel free to cook it longer to make it crispier or shorter to make it less crispy. Enjoy!

1. Before cooking your bacon, you want to make sure you have a microwave-safe plate. (Remember: make sure the plate is big enough for the bacon).
2. Cover the plate with a layer of paper towels.
3. Place the slices of bacon on top of the paper towels (be sure not to layer them on top of one another).
4. Cover with another paper towel.
5. Microwave for 3-4 minutes, depending on how crispy you want the bacon. Continue to check on it in between so it doesn't burn.

• 1 9-inch pie crust, unbaked
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 12 bacon slices, crumbled
• 1 bag Italian blend shredded cheese (or mozzarella cheese)
• 4 eggs
• 2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Quiche can be a little tricky, but the biggest problem people have is they let it dry out during cooking—it needs moisture. Whichever quiche pan you use, be sure it will fit into a larger, shallow pan. Please the quiche pan inside and fill the shallow pan about halfway with water—it should never cover the quiche. You're making a water bath that will release moisture while the quiche cooks, keeping the surface from drying out too much, just like bakers do for cheesecakes.

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spread crust into a pie plate or quiche plate.
2. Spread crust with butter. Sprinkle bacon and cheese on the crust.
3. Beat eggs with the rest of the ingredients. Pour into crust.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn down to 325 degrees and bake for 40 more min. Let stand for 10 minutes.