Delicious fuss-free weeknight dinners with 30-second microwave bacon

Bacon – it’s a delicious treat that young and old love to enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The smell of it cooking leaves our mouths watering, but there’s one problem, the oil splatter when it’s sizzling away on the stove top.

There’s a simple solution though. Company Primo – which is known as the largest manufacturer of ham, bacon, salami and deli meats in Australia – has answered your wishes and created a quick, easy and no-mess way to enjoy bacon.

In an Australian first, they’ve produced a microwave bacon. That’s right, you can now enjoy your favourite bacon meals without the hassle of cleaning up afterwards. It takes just 30 seconds to cook and still tastes just as delicious as the pan-fried version.

Instead of battling with spitting oil over the stove as the bacon cooks all you have to do is take it out of the packaging, pop it on a plate, cover with paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds – that’s it! You can hear the bacon sizzling and cooking just like you would if it was frying in a pan.

You can purchase the product from supermarkets across the country in two handy sizes of either 30 grams or 120g for the real bacon-lovers (probably most of us to be honest). And, if you’re looking for some cooking inspiration, we’ve compiled some of our favourite bacon recipes to enjoy.

Classic bacon and leek frittata

Ingredients

• 6 rashers short cut rindless bacon, chopped
• 1 leek, thinly sliced
• 10 eggs
• 3/4 cup (185ml) thickened cream
• 250g vine-ripened cherry tomatoes

Method

1. Place a greased 20cm (base measurement) ovenproof frying pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and leek. Cook, stirring, for 5 mins or until the bacon is browned and the leek softens.
2. Preheat grill on high. Whisk the eggs and cream in a bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the bacon mixture in the pan. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 7 mins or until the egg is almost set. Cook under the grill for 5 mins or until golden and set.
3. Place the tomatoes on a lined baking tray. Cook under the grill for 2 mins or until the skins start to split. Top the frittata with the tomatoes. Season. Cut the frittata into wedges to serve.

Comforting beef and bacon pies

Ingredients

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 125g rindless bacon, finely chopped
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 700g heart smart beef mince
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 3 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry
• 1 egg, whisked
• 3 sheets frozen puff pastry

Method

1. Heat oil in frying pan over medium heat. Add bacon, onion and garlic and cook for 10 minutes. Add mince and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up lumps, for 10 minutes or until well browned. Stir in sauces and tomatoes. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until thickened. Cool and stir through parsley. Season to taste.
2. Preheat oven to 200C. Place baking tray into the oven. Grease 6 x 10cm metal pie tins. Cut 6 rounds from shortcrust pastry and line tins. Fill with mince mixture. Brush edge of pastry with egg. Cut 6 rounds from puff pastry. Cover tops of pies, pressing edges to seal. Cut small steam holes in tops. Brush with egg.
3. Place pies onto hot tray and bake for 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and puffed. Serve.

Tasty zucchini slice with broccoli and bacon

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 4 rashers middle bacon, trimmed, chopped
• 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 3 zucchini, grated
• 2 cups grated tasty cheese
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
• 8 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 100g feta, crumbled

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line base and sides of a 5.5cm-deep, 20cm x 26cm (base), 25.5cm x 32cm (top) enamel roasting pan with baking paper. Leave overhang of paper about 2cm above edges of pan.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and bacon. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion softens. Add broccoli. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add garlic. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat. Set aside to cool.
   Transfer bacon mixture to large bowl. Add basil, zucchini, 1 1/2 cups tasty cheese and flour. Mix well to combine. Whisk eggs, remaining oil and milk in a bowl. Add to vegetable mixture. Mix well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in feta.
3. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining tasty cheese. Bake for 40 minutes or until top is golden and mixture is firm to touch. Stand for 15 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

IMPORTANT INFO We write about products and services we think you might like and may receive payment if you click on the links in this article or go on to make a purchase.