Jacks Gourmet- Facon

[cheesecake17]

I saw this while shopping today. Anyone tried it? Was considering purchasing it, but I can't think of eating meat for breakfast.

[AdinaA]

I tried the facon. It is nice, but it does not have the crunch factor that gives a good lamb belly bacon or well-made gribenes that wonderful mouth feel (crunch, followed by sensuous explosion of smoky, salty, richness). Compared with these, facon is a crispy slice of smoked meat. Tasty, and probably useful in adding smoky richness to some dishes. But its not bacon.

[AdinaA]

Which of Jack's sausages are wonderful?

[teachermom]

All of them. The chorizo is amazing--I just used it in Mark Bittman's Paella with Chicken and Sausage.

[DeisCane]

Yes, the chorizo is great. And I used it in a paella as well, to great acclaim.

I like the cranberry-apple as well.

[cheesecake17]

Where are they sold?

[queenscook]

There's a store locator on their website. I've found their stuff at Seasons in Queens, and the website said their stuff is sold at Aron's here in Queens as well, but you can check to see what's near you.

[cheesecake17]

The store locator lists several store near me in Brooklyn, but I haven't seen the sausages in any.

[DeisCane]

I buy them at the ShopRite in Livingston and have seen them at the one in West Orange as well.

[cheesecake17]

Thanks, I'll check Brooklyn shoprite.

[teachermom]

Glatt Express in Teaneck has them. The cranberry apple is great in stuffing.

[weinstein5]

I have used beef fry in the past as a topping for meatloaf - make your favorite meatloaf recipe and layer the facon/beef fry over the top and cook normally -

[gotcholent]

Or use underneath the skin of your turkey, or to wrap stuffed chicken breast. Placing the meat underneath the skin is key as it keeps the meat from drying out, the flavors really penetrate the poultry and you get a magnificant "tiger striping" effect to boot. Back in my very humble beginings working in the food industry with myfirst hole in the wall deli across from YU, one of my biggest under $5 sellers was called the Pregnant Lady's Dream, and it consisted of a deep fried kosher bacon wrapped hot dog with red onions, pickles and bbq. Oh ya baby! I'm so glad to see that Jack's has opened up this kind of fun to the general puplic!

[weinstein5]

mmmmmm.....deep fried kosher bacon - that sounds delicious!

[joebenjamin]

Any product from JACKS is really the old 999!!!They also use the lower east side and real kosher brands.They are in Newark,NJ.

[cheesecake17]

Thanks for the ideas. Maybe I'll buy some and try it on a burger. Once opened, does it keep in the fridge?

[gotcholent]

It has a long shelf life. The product is basically a fancy version of naval pastrami. It is the belly cut, the same lehavdil, that bacon would be made from. Just like pastrami, it is brined, peppered and smoked. A little more crispy then beef fry, but the uses are endless. Pan or deep fried it makes a great bacon for sandwiches, soup or salad toppings. I use the same cut for my beef bacons. The downside is that it does not have that melt in your mouth fat action that you get with lamb or if perfectly done with veal belly. Hey Queenie, check out Mealmart, Hod Taam and Hod Lavan's turkey pastrami. Aarons also makes a great romanian turkey pastrami. The dark turkey meat is a more perfect bacon / smoked ham replacement in this pitboss' humble opinion. But this product, as every other one I've tried from Jacks is a winner and totally a worthwhile buy.

[cheesecake17]

Thank you for all the great info! I'm going to pick up a package to try on burgers.

[daphnar]

So how long will it keep once opened?

[gotcholent]

Like sliced pastrami, it is so chalk full of preservatives that it should last two weeks at least in the fridge if well sealed. With only 3/4 slices in each package, leftovers are unlikely.

[ahuva]

had some at kosherfest - loved it. gonna use it crisped and crumbled on smashed potatoes, stuffings and dressings, mock-dirty rice, mixed with maple syrup for an interesting topping to a noodle kugel - the possibilities are endless! Planning on having it as a burger topping as well.

[skipper]

Try warming Turkey pastrami in a microwave for a few minutes until it crisps up. Better than bacon.

[queenscook]

Is there readily available kosher turkey pastrami? What's the brand?

[helou]

Are you referring to the turkey pastrami (I guess it's Empire, or whatever) that I buy as a sliced luncheon meat at the deli counter?

[bagelman01]

I have used it to make a kosher Quiche Lorraine to serve at brunch or during the 9 days for dinner with a salad.
I have also fried it up in a pan, drained and crumbled it and added to salads.

Great for FLT sandwiches as well.

I on the other hand, love a fleishige breakfast, my favorite is salami and eggs pancake style...and I drink my coffee black <VBG>

[queenscook]

Why during the 9 days specifically? That's when most kosher-keepers avoid meat.

[bagelman01]

Shabbos during the 9 days...it's our custom to have items flavored with meat as opposed to meat being the main ingredient

[DeisCane]

OK, got it. I think I would prefer to use Morningstar strips and make that milchig. :-)

[bagelman01]

but we always have meat to honor shabbos (unless it's a fast), but minimize it during the 9 days

[DeisCane]

You used beef during the 9 days, in a Quiche?

[bagelman01]

See above reply to Queenscook

[ferret]

You've never taken left-over brisket or corned beef and made corned beef hash with an egg on top? It's a perfect non-matza option on Pesach.

[azcohen]

I bought some, and I enjoyed it. My wife who is BT said "It's not bacon." She also stated she liked Beef Fry better.

I enjoyed it because I thought it stayed meatier than the A&B's Beef Fry which gets so crispy it falls apart when you pick it up.

All in all I would buy it again, but not share it with anyone.

[DeisCane]

So just put it on a burger.