Oh joyous day, oh sweet rapture, no gift to be mistaken.

For I have sought, and I have found, a cookbook devoted to BACON!

I was perusing the charity book sale here at Press Herald Plaza the other day, setting aside one book after another on the glory of the Maine coast, and cooking Yankee fare, when I discovered this sweet (and savory) gem.

"The Bacon Cookbook"

My pulse quickened, my pupils dilated, I felt a bead of sweat escape from my forehead. Was I having a heart attack or experiencing something far greater?

Don't panic, Justin. Remain calm. Slowly reach for the book. Not too eager now. Steady...steady...

Luckily I did not have to injure anyone in getting this fine find.

Written by James Villas (who is my new favorite author and cook), the book features more than 150 recipes as well as a primer on the history of bacon, the curing and smoking of bacon, types of bacon ("Gypsy bacon?"), how to buy and store the precious meat and most importantly, saving and cooking with bacon fat.

Recipes (to be tried shortly) include:

- New England apple and bacon griddlecakes

- Swiss macaroni, bacon and cheese

- Southern bacon cornsticks

- Canadian meat pie

- Bacon and peanut butter chocolate truffles

I'm speechless ... and hungry. Maybe I can sneak away to the test kitchen here at PH Plaza and hone my skills for the inevitable Iron Chef battle.

How convenient ... it's almost lunch time.

Oh, also, no podcast this week. With the holiday last week things have been backed up here at the NXT desk, and now with this ... well, it's a wonder I can still type.

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