I love the taste and texture of Bacon even though I must admit Bacon is a food I didn't grow up eating in my Jewish household when I was a young girl...But, as I grew older and ate out on my own I discovered the delicious joys of Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese and Bacon and best of all, Egg Salad, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Club sandwiches, the way they used to make them in the coffee shops in New York. Of course a few slices of Bacon on the side with eggs, pancakes and waffles are not too shabby a breakfast either.

When I was first married I used to buy Bacon now and then as a treat but after getting into the health food craze during early 70's seemed to put a stop to that. When Turkey Bacon arrived on the scene I tried a few varieties but wasn't thrilled. Though it's not terrible, it just isn't the same.

A few years ago I discovered Betty Crocker Bac-os Chips which I really enjoyed using in a few of my favorite recipes. I love them sprinkled on salads especially spinach salad with hard boiled eggs...Quiche is another perfect meal to use these chips in or just toss them in scrambled eggs or top a baked potato with Bacos for added oomph appeal.

My favorite use for them came about when I was in Weight-Watchers and looking for a low point sandwich to have for lunch. I decided to make a grilled cheese sandwich using low-fat American cheese, 40 calorie-light/whole wheat bread and Bacos. First I sprayed the pan with butter spray, put one slice of cheese on the bread, put the Bacos on the first piece of cheese, then topped that with the 2nd piece of cheese and bread. I grilled the whole sandwich till the bread got toasty, flipped it on the other side, which I sprayed with the butter spray and had a really tasty sandwich which was only a 3-point lunch. To this day it's still one of my favorite light meals. Coupled with a salad or bowl of soup, you have a complete meal.

What appeals to me also is the fact that Bacos are made from soy flour and soybean oil, the first 2 ingredients listed. They do not contain MSG, Saturated fat, or Cholesterol and contain only 30 calories in a 1½ tablespoon serving. So, not only do taste good, have the perfect crunchiness, but are good for you too! They are also Kosher...what a nice feature for something copying the taste of Bacon.

They are simply so versatile and tasty, can be used in so many ways you would use real Bacon for without the fat or calories. Of course Betty Crocker's Bac-os aren't the same as the real thing and you can't make a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich with them but, well, for other uses, Bacos deserve a big porky thumbs up.


Lean & Mean 499 words

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