Random Thread ～Owaranai Insomnia '25 ver.～

[rikkikow]

I went to a barber shop for the first time in about a year and ran into these two birds in a neighborhood about 1 mile from my house.


Where was he going?

I didn't find out until coming back and looking for them I almost missed them. The female stood watch while the male bathed sleeping in dirty water.

[Celedam]

This might seem like an odd question, but has anyone else noticed anything, well… odd about their bacon?

I'm specifically referring to bacon you buy at the store and then cook at home. Last year there were rumors of an impending pork shortage, due to lockdown-related disruptions in the supply chain and increased demand from Asia. That shortage never came, it seemed, but recently I've noticed that my bacon expresses much more water while cooking and doesn't brown as well as it should.

I'm wondering if they are injecting bacon with "solution" (i.e., brine or broth), like they do with other cuts of pork and chicken, in order to increase its sale weight and thereby extend a limited supply. I know "uncured" bacon can be like this because it's full of celery juice, but I only buy good ol' cured and smoked bacon. The "leading national brand," as they say. And it's never been like this before.

[erilaz]

I can't say that I've noticed anything odd, but I tend to buy different brands and styles (most recently Oscar Mayer thick cut with cracked black pepper), so considerable variation is the norm for me.

[TotallyUncool]

Duckssssssssss!

[Zunu]

This might seem like an odd question, but has anyone else noticed anything, well… odd about their bacon?

Maybe 6-9 months ago I was noticing that Oscar Mayer had dipped in quality and consistency enough to get me to switch to Boar’s Head for a spell, but as of late they seem back on their A game.

I'm wondering if they are injecting bacon with "solution" (i.e., brine or broth), like they do with other cuts of pork and chicken.

I’m no foodie and am completely clueless wrt what’s going on in the injection department, but this page claims that pumping with brine is SOP for OM’s brand’s method of curing.

https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/04/bes ... bacon.html

[Celedam]

Then someone is leaning heavily on the plunger.

[Zunu]

Long as we're on the subject, do you (or anyone else) have any recommendations for bacon upgrades? I'm loath to switch from Oscar Mayer because to my taste buds they have achieved the perfect levels of saltiness, sweetness, smokiness, and fat content. Other brands tend to be (IMO) either too salty or not salty enough. Or too skinny crispy. But if it's possible to improve upon perfection, I'm game. The internets seem to be in love with Peter Luger, Trader Joe's, Applegate, none of which I've ever bought. But then again, I'm also seeing praise for Smithfield, which to me is decidedly mediocre (was about to write "no great shakes" but suddenly realized it's been years since I've heard anyone actually say that out loud.) ISTR Hormel is ok, as well as the aforementioned Boar's Head. Every once in a while a randomly purchased store brand purchased out of desperation will be surprisingly primo, but the lack of consistency is what does them in; next time it will be gamey, oversalted dreck.

[Celedam]

I get Wright Brand (yes, "Brand" is part of the name) when it's on sale. It's definitely a step up from Oscar Mayer, and I don't have to go to another store to find it, but it is expensive.

Dearborn Brand (again…) has also appeared in my store, and it's supposed to be comparable to Wright Brand. It's regional, however — Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Canada. Sorry.

[Zunu]

There's a store in walking distance that sells Wright Brand brand bacon and is apparently open until 1 am to boot, so I'll definitely give it a try next time I'm in that area. Thanks!

[rikkikow]

Today’s duck adventure in my neighborhood! I guess they are making up for those lost years.
Around the corner from my house were seven ducks. Four

plus three (and only one female?)

the women coming scared them all off

(I walked around the block to see if they came back)
Two on my street only

also caught a Mom and child enjoying the ducks too!