Mr. Gooch Cooks (Spice-Rubbed Bacon)

Last Saturday was Mr. Gooch's birthday. In honor of his big day, and the fabulous weather (60+ degrees in Chicagoland in February), we grilled steaks. They were marinated in another Mr. Gooch concoction, his Southwest Marinade. However, to give them an extra special something, he also made Spice-Rubbed Bacon.

Inspired by a burger ordered at Chili's last fall which combined beef with bacon, Mr. Gooch knew that the flavors would be a nice compliment to the steaks.

He tried to cook the bacon on the grill, however, with the sugar, it turned out to be too difficult (since the fat and sugar both burn) so the bacon was cooked in the oven.

Spice-Rubbed Bacon
(Source: Inspired by a hamburger from Chili's)
Ingredients
4 pieces Thick Cut Bacon (we used Jimmy Dean
1 teaspoon Chili Powder (Penzeys Chili 3000 would also be fabulous)
2 teaspoons Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Northwoods Fire Spice mix (from Penzeys)

Directions
Separate pieces of bacon on either a cookie sheet or piece of aluminum foil

Mix together the Chili Powder and Brown Sugar, making sure the completely combine. (The brown sugar has tendency to form into small balls and not mix completely with the chili powder).

Divide and spread mixture first onto one side (rubbing the spice into the piece of bacon), then the other.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. You do not need to flip the bacon.

Once cooked, we cut the long bacon pieces in half and placed on top of the steak. The sweet heat of the bacon melded nicely with the spiciness of the Southwest Marinade used on the steaks.

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