Self Loathing - Need Bacon

Why?

Why did I eat so many cookies? Why is there nothing but candy wrappers surrounding me? Why do I have a headache?

The past holiday I seem to have reached my maximum capacity of sugar consumption and I am left with only this silly question. Why?

Now the only thing to do is right the wrong. I need vegetables, I need chlorophyll, I need BACON! Sometimes only bacon can heal you. It's true, ask Teresa, she'll tell you.



I was starting to have sugar induced headaches this week and was in desperate need of something soothing to my stomach and soul. I wanted fall to continue and the sweet tooth calmed down. The only way to fight it off was salty, smokey bacon.



You need 6 slices or so, that means you can save half a package to use for further holiday cheer. Cut up and crisp in a pan. Then you take out your crispy jewels and leave in some of the fat. I mean what else would coat your greens in such a soothing way?



Then you throw in some diced onion. About half of a small one will sweeten things up just right. Just enough to remind you how good bacon really is.



Now load the pan up with greens. Maybe some red chard, or rainbow, or even mustard and beet greens. We're getting over some serious chocolate overdose here, we need something green. Two whole bunches of greens, cleaned thoroughly and chopped roughly.

Let it get acquainted with your bacon drippings and onion. Let the stalks soften ever so slightly, and the tops wilt down.

Now drizzle in about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar because that's how mom used to make spinach and let the bacon come back to the pan. Now all is better, and you don't have to be mad at that gohsty cookie or your self anymore.



What's that making a nice cozy bed for your greens? That's polenta. Creamy Parmesan cheese polenta. It's also a breeze to make and is even better the next day. Polenta is like my ace in the hole for adding a rich creamy component to meals. You can add so many things to it to change up your dish. Here is the basic recipe:

Basic Polenta
3 cups stock or water
1 cup polenta
1 teaspoon salt (less if your stock is salty)
2 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Bring water or stock up to a boil. Add your salt and slowly stir in the polenta. Lower heat and continue to stir and cook with your mixture bubbling slowly. When the polenta is nice and thick (about 6-10 minutes) stir in the butter and remove from heat. Stir in the cheese and taste if it needs more salt and pepper.



Aaaah the perfection that is bacon.