This Peameal Bacon Sandwich is the best breakfast sandwich! It features Canadian Bacon caramelized in real maple syrup, topped with an egg, cheese, avocado, and mayonnaise. Need I say more?
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In September of 2018, I drove the four hours from Detroit, Michigan to Toronto, Ontario for a weekend trip with a friend. As a solo traveler and a social spirit, I had the perfect set up: A day in the city by myself before my friend arrived to fill with whatever solo activities my heart desired.
Naturally, I spent the week leading up to the trip researching the best things to do in Toronto, and, in typical Alexandria fashion, the best food to eat. One particular foodie pleasure graced the pages of many a google search result… so much so, that it immediately found itself at the top of my list as well:
The Peameal Bacon Sandwich from Carousel Bakery in the St. Lawrence Market.
Would any of you be surprised if I told you that the main reason that I chose to put this particular food on my menu is because Anthony Bourdain told me to? Probably not…
Bourdain visited Toronto to film an episode of his show The Layover, where he took a moment to grace the Carousel Bakery Peameal Bacon Sandwich with one simple phrase: “accept no substitute.” Don’t worry, Bourdain, I didn’t.
Why Make this Recipe?
- Flavor: This recipe isn’t an exact replica of the Peameal Bacon Sandwich from Carousel Bakery, though it does replicate some of its best features.
The Best Breakfast Sandwich at Carousel Bakery in Toronto features a simple bun, peameal bacon, and an egg. You can also add some mustard to your sandwich if you’d like.
This is delicious, don’t get me wrong. But I felt the sandwich just needed a few more toppings to give it that delicious oomf.
This version features the traditional sandwich with additions of maple syrup, avocado and mayonnaise to get that extra-delicious flavor.
- Maple-Coated: We’re trying to replicate the flavors of Canada here, people! Which means that maple syrup is a MUST.
The meat in the recipe is finished off with a drizzle of pure maple syrup that caramelizes around the skin. This gives the sandwich a “mostly savory, kind of sweet” profile that I LOVE.
- “Travel” to Toronto: Maybe you’re like me and want to travel everywhere under the sun. Toronto might not be as close to your home as it is to mine, so maybe it’ll be harder for you to get the Carousel Sandwich! I’ve created this recipe so that you can enjoy the delicacy at home, and “travel” to Canada without ever leaving your kitchen.
What is in This Recipe?
- Peameal Bacon: Peameal Bacon is pork loin (for another great recipe try this Pork Belly in a Parsley Sauce) that is cured and rolled in cornmeal. Normally it is served in Ontario, and is what us in America call “Canadian bacon.” The peameal bacon is sold raw, and, in this recipe, is cooked on the stovetop. You can buy peameal bacon at select butchers. If you must buy online, you can do so here.
- Maple Syrup: Because we’re cooking from Canada, I will always recommend true, authentic Canadian maple syrup. I had some Vermont maple syrup in my pantry, so I used that this time around. I wouldn’t recommend using artificial syrup (such as Log Cabin, etc), as it won’t caramelize on the meat as nicely.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Fry the Meat
What makes this recipe truly special is the way that the Peameal Bacon is cooked on the stove. This is Canada, right? Which means that our breakfast sandwich needs to have a little bit of syrup…
The meat is sliced and cooked in a pan on the stovetop. About 3 minutes before it reaches the desired internal temperature, add a bit of maple syrup into the pan. The syrup will caramelize onto the bacon infusing it with a dynamic, enticing, sweet and savory taste.
Make sure that your Peameal Bacon reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
Step 2: Cook an Egg
In a separate skillet, cook an egg over-easy. When you flip the egg, remove it from the heat, add a slice of cheddar cheese to the top of the egg, and cover with a lid.
Allow the egg to cook until it reaches the desired wellness and cheese is melted.
Step 3: Assemble
Butter the bun on each side and grill on the griddle until toasted.
Cut the avocado into slices and place on the bottom bun. Add the meat. Add the egg covered in cheese.
Spread mayonnaise on the top bun and place the bun on top of the sandwich. Use a toothpick to hold the sandwich together while you eat.
Recipe FAQs
At What Temperature is Peameal Bacon Cooked?
Peameal bacon needs to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit in order to reach a level of wellness safe for consumption.
Can You Buy Peameal Bacon in the United States?
In the past, it may have been difficult to find Peameal Bacon in the United States of America. However, butchers in the United States are now starting to carry the Canadian favorite!
I was able to find a few butchers around my house that sell it, though I do live close to the Canadian border, so this may be easier for me.
If you’d like to make your own peameal bacon at home, you can do so by following these instructions.
What is the Coating on Peameal Bacon?
Peameal bacon is coated in cornmeal!
If you liked this recipe, make sure to check out these other posts I picked out, just for you:
- Rum Soaked Pork Tenderloin from Belize
- Canadian Poutine
- At Home Date Night in Canada
- Fast and Easy Maple Cookies
If you make this recipe at home, leave a review/comment on this post letting us know what you thought!
And don’t forget to share a photo of your finished product on Facebook and Instagram and tag @TheForeignFork and hashtag #TheForeignFork.
Peameal Bacon Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 Slices Peameal bacon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Eggs
- 2 Slices cheddar cheese
- 2 Large brioche buns
- 1 Avocado
- Mayonnaise, to taste
Instructions
- Cut a large piece of peameal bacon into thin slices, about ¼ inch thick.
- In a small skillet, sizzle peameal bacon over medium heat, until cooked through and reaches 145 degrees internally. About 1 minute before the bacon is ready, add the maple syrup into the skillet and allow it to caramelize on the outside of the pork.
- In a separate skillet, cook an egg over-easy. When you flip the egg, remove it from the heat, add a slice of cheddar cheese to the top of the egg, and cover with a lid. Allow the egg to cook until it reaches the desired wellness and cheese is melted.
- Butter the bun on each side and grill on a griddle or in a skillet until toasted.
- Assemble:
- Cut the avocado into slices and place on the bottom bun.
- Then add Peameal bacon
- Then add egg covered in cheese.
- Spread mayonnaise on the top bun and place bun on sandwich. Use a toothpick to hold the sandwich together while you eat!
- Enjoy. Leave a comment on this post letting me know what you thought of the recipe!
Notes
- Peameal Bacon: Peameal Bacon is pork loin that is cured and rolled in cornmeal. Normally it is served in Ontario, and is what us in America call “Canadian bacon.” The peameal bacon is sold raw, and, in this recipe, is cooked on the stovetop. You can buy peameal bacon at select butchers. If you must buy online, you can do so here.
- Maple Syrup: Because we’re cooking from Canada, I will always recommend true, authentic Canadian maple syrup. I had some Vermont maple syrup in my pantry, so I used that this time around. I wouldn’t recommend using artificial syrup (such as Log Cabin, etc), as it won’t caramelize on the meat as nicely.
- Peameal bacon needs to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit in order to reach a level of wellness safe for consumption.
- If you’d like to make your own peameal bacon at home, you can do so by following these instructions.
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