This is the first bacon we've had since we started the Whole30 Challenge. No sugar what-so-ever is allowed, so I quickly learned that almost all bacon has a trace amounts of sugar in it.
I asked around my Whole30 community on Instagram and found out that Pederson's Natural Farms makes an uncured, sugar-free bacon! Their pork is raised without antibiotics, without growth stimulants, and is fed no animal by-products, EVER. It's minimally processed with no artificial ingredients. It has no added nitrates or nitrites and is preservative free. Look for it at Sprout's Markets and Whole Foods Markets. If they don't carry it, ask them to start;)
One quick note on this...when I posted this on Facebook, Diane Sanfilippo of "Practical Paleo" commented about what she advises people to do on her 21 Day Sugar Detox Program! Here's what she had to say: "Trace sugar used in curing isn't of concern to me for people struggling with cravings for sugar and carbs. I don't find they have any net effect of sweet taste or making people feel cravings." Makes sense. So there you go! I trust Diane, she knows everything there is to know about Paleo! She literally wrote the book on it! :)
But...I'm doing the Whole30 right now...100%...so I'm sticking with the rules they give...but that's definitely good to know for after. This brand seems great in all regards, so overall I'm glad I found it;)
I was so excited when I found this that I bought 3 packs to freeze some so I don't have to worry about my Sprout's running out any time soon. It tells you right on the back of the package how to make these delicious bites...Here you go...
Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Peel one large sweet potato/yam, chop into bite size pieces. Sprinkle the potatoes with cayenne pepper and sea salt. Cut your bacon in half, so the pieces are shorter in length. Wrap the sweet potato pieces with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on an ungreased baking sheet so they have room around each. I had extra potato pieces, so I scattered the small remnants among them. Place them in the preheated oven and set your timer for 45 minutes.
I started them out, bacon side down, like this...
Halfway through, flip them to a different side. I stood them on end to crisp better, like this...it's easy to do with the toothpick.
I let mine go a little longer than 45 mins so they were nice and crispy and the potatoes were soft. I placed them on a paper towel to drain before serving...this worked great, they weren't greasy when served!
These were an amazingly tasty treat! Oh, and by the way...this bacon is so delicious. Good thing I was only making Thai Coconut Pumpkin Soup, this made a great appetizer! I also scraped up all the sweet potato remnants...they were crazy good! Spicy and crispy from cooking in the bacon fat...oh my!
I'm certainly not making these babies every day...cuz they go down way too easy;) It made 22 bite sized pieces. If you don't like spicy...omit the cayenne pepper. Yes, we eventually ate every...last...one. I hope you enjoy!!
