A while back I amused a few people up when, while waxing poetic about BBQ, I commented that the pig is a magical beast. But the thing is...it's true. And part of that magic is bacon. While I dare not claim bacon is a healthy food, as Emeril says, pork fat rules.

Few other meats can claim so much flavor and uniqueness in the culinary realm. Seldom does one see so many men get misty eyed when discussing meat as when bacon enters the conversation. So, my friends, I present for your reading pleasure, the 10 greatest moments in bacon history.

1. Eggs & Bacon - a s a meal name was popularized in the United States by Edward Bernays in the 1920s and 1930s. In order to promote sales of bacon , he conducted a survey of physicians and reported their recommendation that people eat hearty breakfasts. He sent the results of the survey to 5,000 physicians, along with publicity touting bacon and eggs as a hearty breakfast.





2. Pork & Beans - They are just beans until you layer those strips of bacon on top before baking. All the sudden the beans, sauce, brown sugar, and spices marry to make a dish that says summertime like few others. Who among us has not angled to get a stripe of the bacon off the top at a picnic or church pot luck?

3. BLT - Do not mess with perfection . Fix it exactly this way. The sandwich has several strips of cooked bacon , leaves of lettuce (traditionally iceberg or romaine), and slices of tomato , all sandwiched between slices of bread , commonly but optionally toasted . (In New England , "BLT down" means the bread is to be toasted.) Mayonnaise is the traditional condiment used.





4. Bacon Wrapped Scallops - Genius. Pure Genius. Any social event serving Genius. Pure Genius. Any social event serving this tasty appetizer instantly goes up a notch. You do not believe me? Ask around. In addition, serving this food is the best use of the toothpick ever.

5. Bring Home the Bacon In the twelfth century, a church in the English town of Dunmow promised a side of bacon to any married man who could swear before the congregation and God that he had not quarreled with his wife for a year and a day. A husband who could bring home the bacon was held in high esteem by the community for his forbearance.

6. Cobb Salad - I'm eating healthy today, I'll just order the salad...yea, I'll have the Cobb Salad. I ts main ingredients include bacon , chicken breast , hard-boiled egg , avocado , and Roquefort cheese. Outstanding! Here's a little history on my (and what should be your) favorite salad: In 1937, Brown Derby owner Robert H. Cobb went into the restaurant's kitchen to fix a late-night snack for Sid Grauman , operator of Grauman's Chinese Theater . He browsed the refrigerator for ingredients, and chopped them up finely. Thus, the Cobb salad was born. From then on, Grauman often requested that a Cobb salad be prepared for him. Word soon spread about this creation throughout Hollywood, quickly increasing its popularity. It became such a hit that film stars started requesting "Cobb's salad", and it was eventually added to the menu of the Brown Derby restaurant.





7. Chicken Fried Bacon - Have you ever made that food choice when traveling that you just would not make at home? As the host says, eating healthy on the road isn't always easy!

8. Chocolate Covered Bacon - I've called great BBQ pig candy (especially the caramelized outside chop). Hey, Ithink they borrowed my tag line! I've called great BBQ pig candy (especially the caramelized outside chop). This stuff really in pig candy.

9. Bacon Explosion - Look at this. Don't flinch. LOOK AT THIS. Oh me. Oh my. Sausage, bacon, dry rub and BBQ sauce? This is so wrong, yet so right. No, I have never had it, but I would stand in line for a taste. I dare not make it lest I become addicted.