Recipe review, Virtual Bacon Dust from In the Mix.

[achookwoman]

This recipe calls for ....100g. of each of Brown Sugar, sesame seeds and Dashi powder.
I purchased the dashi Powder from a Melb.  Chinese Supermarket.   $11 for a packet of 10 small packets.  There were 2 types,  I chose the one WITHOUT the fish.  There are no nasties included.  It is called Kombu - shitake dashi.

The instructions are simple and clear.  The 3 ingredients are mixed together , spread on an oven proof sheet and placed under a grill set at 150 oC.  It is stirred each time the surface caramelises.  It is best to stand at the oven ,  as this happens very quickly.  After it caramelises,  it is stirred again and spread out.  I stirred and spread 7 times as i could see that it may burn very easily.

I thought to myself that there is no way this will ever taste like bacon.   How wrong I was.

After it has all Caramelised,  it is cooled.  It sets up like toffee.

When cool,  it is zapped at speed 10 for 20 seconds.  Exactly correct.
WOW,  it smells exactly like well crisped bacon.

We were having spaghetti on toast for tea so I sprinkled a little over the spaghetti.  Lovely.  
It obviously has many uses beyond George's Pumpkin Soup.

[em]

oh wow that sounds really great! i would love to make it.  i would also love to get my hands on in the mix, are they only available through teninas website?

[achookwoman]

Em,  this is not a Tenina publication but from TMX HO or order through you Consultant.

[em]

oh yeah i got it confused with the other new book coming out, dinner spinners lol. thanks chookie

[judydawn]

Great review Chookie - honest & thorough as usual.

[achookwoman]

Just reading that Bacon and chocolate is the latest taste sensation in US.  Maybe the Dust could be used in the Toffee and icing on the cup cakes???

[Cuilidh]

It looks like this reduces down a lot - I take it you don't need much to get the flavour / taste of bacon?  Does it keep well (or is it early days yet and you don't know - or is it so tasty that you have used it all already?).  How long did the 'caramelising' take?  Sorry, lots of questions, it's just that, being a vegetarian, bacon is perhaps the one flavour I miss most, which means I am very intersted in this recipe, so thanks so much for posting it.

[LeeJ]

That is a neat trick!

Will have to track down some Dashi

[achookwoman]

Marina,  it makes a lot and you use just a sprinkle.  You start off with  300g and  it remains pretty much the same.  I have no idea how it will keep,  but would expect a shelf life similar to spices.  As I have said in the review ,  you should stand at the oven while it is grilling,  probably 10/15 mins. including the stirring.
I was thinking of you as I was testing this recipe.  Also good for those who can't eat pork for religious reasons.
It is not the real thing,  but a pretty good substitute.

Might be nice in egg and 'bacon" pie.

It might be difficult to buy....It is distributed by SPIRAL FOODS  phone 1300 303 794

[Nay-nay]

I see Quirky Jo is cookin this today - she had it on FB. Sounds interesting. Did you get the dashi posted? Do you have a website for it??  

[achookwoman]

Nay-nay,  as above , I bought it at the Chinese Supermarket in Newmarket in Melb.  They have a large Japanese section.

www.Spiralfoods.com.au

[JulieO]

I'm going to order some from here, can't buy any in my town.  I'm presuming you bought the blue packet not the red Chookie? 

http://www.glutenfreeshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ProductId=2586

[achookwoman]

Jilie , the red one has the fish. Blue no fish.

[JulieO]

Thanks Chookie, off to order now. 

[cookie1]

Chookie I looked long and hard at this recipe     (the bacon dust) and decided there was no way it could taste like bacon. Thank you for the review. I can see lots of uses for it. I wonder how George discovered it?