We opened episode two absolutely starving, so Kevin kicked things off with a snack worthy of a hungry hunter before the next hunt. A pound of thick-cut bacon got quartered into bite-sized pieces, then tossed in brown sugar and a tablespoon of the Northern Spices we ground in episode one until every piece was coated.
The pieces went onto parchment-lined sheets, packed in pretty tight ("you might just have to bake them a little longer"), and into the oven for a 15-minute first check while we moved on to the soup.
We didn't wait for the end of the video to dig in. With the soup simmering, we cheersed with a double piece each: "nice and sticky," sweet, fatty, with the Northern Spices coming through light. The juniper berries that tasted terrible on their own really work with sugar and bacon. By the end we'd pretty much finished the whole pound.
Welcome back to another episode of Video Game Eats! Jeremiah and Kevin dive into World of Warcraft inspired cuisine, starting with Tracker Snacks.
These are perfect for when you need a quick energy boost, just like a hungry hunter preparing for their next adventure. Bite-sized bacon gets a coat of brown sugar and Northern Spices for that perfect balance of sweet and savory, and the aroma filling the kitchen as it bakes is absolutely mouthwatering.
Tracker Snacks
Bite-sized pieces of thick-cut bacon coated in brown sugar and Northern Spices, then baked until crispy and caramelized. A hunter's quick energy boost.
Heat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cut the bacon strips into quarters to make bite-sized pieces.
Stir the brown sugar and Northern Spices together in a large bowl so the spice is spread evenly through the sugar.
Separate the bacon pieces, add them to the bowl and toss with your hands until every piece has some of the sugar mixture on it.
Lay the pieces side by side on the lined sheets. It's fine if they're packed close together; they may just need a little longer.
Bake for 15 minutes, then check. Keep baking until they're sticky and caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes or more.
Let the bites cool slightly before serving.
Pairs well with chocolate, creamy cheeses or a bowl of bean soup. Parchment keeps the melted sugar from welding itself to your pans, and the bites make a good snack to graze on while a longer recipe simmers.
Adapted from World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel (Insight Editions, 2016).
