As delicious as bacon is on literally everything, the whole mass-produced, Food Inc. thing makes some animal lovers feel a little queasy. Thanks to the folks at the University of Florida, us Gators don’t have to feel guilty about eating bacon for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Unknown to most Gainesville newbs, the UF Meat Processing Center sells meat from animals that are all raised on or near UF property. Unlike many stores that sell hormone injected products, the College of Animal Sciences raises the cows and pigs through free range and organic living.
Photo by Kelly Logan
From birth to plate, the entire animal cycle is taught to students as a learning experience. That’s right, the delicious bacon you so gladly enjoyed this morning could have been brought to you by your roommate or significant other. However, because the point of the process is for students to learn, they only create enough product to open up shop one day a week–Friday. But don’t stress, their meat is sold to several local restaurants around Gainesville. You might have already experienced their tenderloin without even knowing it.
If you want more than just bacon, they have you covered on that too. With over twenty different cuts of pork and beef sold, it’s easy to find something for every carnivore. Having a luau? They sell entire roasted pigs on request. Having a cook-out? They sell amazing hamburger patties for cheap, too. Bet your local grocer doesn’t do that.
Now that you know about this dank place, take advantage of UF’s local meat center. Impress your friends (or yourself) with the freshest cut of bacon in Gainesville using this simple oven-cooked bacon recipe.
Less mess, oven-cooked bacon
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
1 package bacon
Directions:
1. If using reusable baking pan, line pan with foil to reduce mess.
2. Place bacon strips on pan.
Photo by Kelly Logan
3. Place bacon in cold oven. This will keep the bacon from shrinking.
4. Set oven to 400 degrees.
5. Cook bacon for 15-25 minutes, depending on strength of oven.
Photo by Kelly Logan
For more bacon goodness, click here.