Although bacon frying in a pan is iconic, there is a better way … much better.

LACQUERED BACON RECIPE 1 pound thick-cut bacon

1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarsely ground, separated into 1/4 measurements)

4 tablespoons dark muscovado sugar (plus 3 tablespoons)

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more if you're up to it) Set the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and lay the bacon in a single layer so that there’s little or no space between the pieces on a cooling rack set in the pan. Liberally sprinkle one side of the bacon slices with the 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 4 tablespoons sugar and red pepper flakes. Set the sheet pan in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Remove the pan and use the back of a spoon to spread the dissolved sugar/pepper mixture evenly across the slices of bacon. Wait one minute. Flip the bacon over and liberally sprinkle the other side of the bacon with remaining black pepper and 3 tablespoons sugar. Return the sheet pan to the oven and roast until desired doneness: 15 minutes for chewy, 18 minutes for crisp. Cool completely before devouring.