Sometimes necessity and genius come together.
These are happy mergers, for they fit comfortably into our routine. As an example take the smart phone, which in the broadest sense merely expanded our habits of tapping out messages, making calls and searching for information or entertainment.
So we should pause to admire the inspiration behind the minced bacon on the breakfast menu at Renee’s Cafe.
Yeah, they just line up regular slices of bacon and slice them into bits then toss them with eggs prepared to your liking. That’s it — the comfort and familiarity of the all-American morning meal. Compared to the Theory of Relativity, the Silicon Chip or the three point line, the idea may not qualify for one of Nobel’s little prizes.
But separately, they would amount to just a plate of bacon and eggs. In tandem, however, smoky streaks from the meat sear through the rich, mellow scramble (in this particular order). The effect is rather remarkable, as the gentle nature of the eggs seems to give the bacon’s subtle cure encouragement to roam. Hints of bittersweet char from the grill enhance this effect.
And the crackling texture works nicely as a foil to the billowy eggs.
But the true genius of this dish may best be expressed after a bout of New Year’s overindulgence, the effects of which may linger for days.
You see, this is not only extraordinarily appealing in its simplicity. Minced bacon also remains a hearty plate — rich, meaty, weighted with hash browns and toast. It’s an order you want to finish, and as you dine the combination begins to warm you, to satisfy a ragged soul.
And that’s the wow factor. A little twist on comfort food, sure — one that suits an everyday breakfast but seems an indulgence.
Dave Faries can be reached at 900-2016
