MAPLE-BACON POPOVERS

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Maple-Bacon Popovers image

As a Canadian living in the United States, I can't help but envy my American friends around Thanksgiving. More than any other holiday, this one comes with loads of (nondenominational, bipartisan) family traditions, mostly centered around the kitchen. Sure, Canada has its own Thanksgiving, modeled after its U.S. counterpart, but it's not nearly as obsessively food-focused nor as widely celebrated. Over the two decades I've lived in New York, my husband and I have observed American Thanksgiving by joining friends at their family tables, making our own "Friendsgiving," or using the long weekend to travel. But now that I have two (American) children, I feel the need to establish our own traditions. These popovers seem like a good place to start. Popovers are America's answer to British Yorkshire pudding. Festive and comforting, they're made by adding hot fat to the bottom of individual tins before pouring in a rich, eggy batter, which causes them to puff up and "pop" over the sides of the pan. I had never had a popover until I moved to the States but quickly fell in love with them, especially when I realized how easy they are to make and how satisfying when eaten right out of the oven. My version includes maple syrup and bacon in the batter, giving the adapted American dish a distinctly Canadian accent, just like me. With a little luck, they'll remain part of our family's Thanksgiving meal-and become part of yours-for years to come.-Gail Simmons

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup finely chopped thick-cut bacon slices
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour (about 4 1/4 ounces)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1/4 cup Grade A Dark pure maple syrup, plus more for brushing
4 large eggs, at room temperature

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F with oven rack in lower third of oven. Cook chopped bacon in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Allow drippings to cool slightly in skillet, about 5 minutes; pour into a small heatproof bowl. Add 2 tablespoons melted butter to drippings; stir to combine. Spoon 1 teaspoon drippings mixture into each cup of a 12-cup popover pan or large muffin pan. (Discard any remaining drippings mixture.) Place pan in oven to heat. Stir together flour and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together milk, maple syrup, eggs, and remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large bowl. Gradually whisk flour mixture into egg mixture until almost smooth; fold in cooked bacon. Transfer batter to a 4-cup spouted measuring cup. Carefully remove hot pan from oven. Pour batter into popover cups, filling each two-thirds full. Bake in preheated oven until popovers are puffed and golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Lightly brush tops with additional maple syrup. Remove from pan, and serve immediately.

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