Food Fun & News

Shhh: Chef Secrets for a Four-Star Breakfast at Home

Crisp bacon, light pancakes, goofproof omelets: Find out what restaurant chefs know to get top results at home.

Bacon istock/Renphoto To avoid splatter, and for even cooking, cook bacon in the microwave.

Place one or two slices of bacon on a folded paper towel and

lay it in the microwave. Cook on high for two to three minutes, or until the

bacon is crisp and sizzling. For more than two slices of bacon, lay the

paper towel on a plate and increase the cooking time as needed. Get fancy with the fun bacon ‘n’ egg bundles pictured here with this simple recipe.

Pancakes istock/eurobanks The best and lightest pancakes are made from buttermilk and baking soda,

which together create air bubbles that are trapped by the gluten in the

flour. This simple chemical reaction happens and subsides quickly, so

don’t wait around. Mix the pancake batter quickly (and minimally—overbeating makes them tough and flat) and cook them immediately.

Discard any leftover batter.