Makes 10
115 g (4 oz/1⁄2 cup firmly
packed) soft brown sugar
60 ml (2 fl oz/1⁄4 cup) maple syrup
60 ml (2 fl oz/1⁄4 cup) beer
1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
10 streaky bacon slices, cut in half
Preheat the oven to 200ºC (390°F). Line a baking tray with foil, then place a wire rack on top.
Stir the sugar, syrup, beer and cayenne pepper in a bowl until the sugar has completely dissolved into a thick syrup.
Brush the bacon on both sides with the syrup, arrange on the wire rack then bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, brush the bacon again with the syrup on both sides. Pop it back in the oven and cook for a further 10 minutes.
Repeat the process a few more times until the bacon is crisp and browned. It should take about 40 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool on the wire rack to harden. Serve as a snack.
Recipe extract from Man Food by Billy Law (Hardie Grant)