Asking for bacon rescue advice

[DrJimmy2112]

Pitmasters/mistresses - I recent cured 3 x 3. lbs = 9 lbs of pork belly following Meathead's Maple Bacon recipe. In the past have always followed the recipe closely. This time, upon rinsing the salt after the cure, I recalled reading that some of us are applying seasoning to the meat at that step in the process. Impulsively, I lightly dusted the belly with a pork rub. I mean lightly.
After smoking then frying some of the bacon for family brunch, the taste of the pork rub was quite a bit stronger than the original maple/salt/pepper flavor that is usually present in the bacon in that recipe.
My question is this - is it possible to re-awaken the maple flavor at this point? Maybe more maple syrup? Or is it too late?
Thanks in advance for your more expert counsel.

[texastweeter]

You can buy maple powder and or maple sugar.

[DrJimmy2112]

thank you -

[jfmorris]

Yeah, I don't think there is any way to "awaken" what is already a pretty mild flavor (maple) and bring it out if you added a stronger flavored rub. You might rinse any remaining rub off the outside of the bacon, but I doubt that will work, since its already smoked and "barked up" so to speak.

In addition to the maple powder and sugar suggestion above, maybe just drizzle some maple syrup over the bacon right after frying? Just a touch to bring back some of the lost flavor.

Funnily enough, the one thing I absolutely despise is maple flavored bacon. I just don't like it I learned after accidentally picking up a few pounds of it one time at the grocery store. I love maple syrup, I love bacon. Just not a huge fan of maple bacon. The commercial example I tried was maybe too overpowering compared to home cured results...

[mnavarre]

Most "maple" bacon has never been within 100 miles of actual maple anything. I agree most commercial maple bacon is not good, but real maple bacon is. And maple is one of my favorite woods for smoking bacon.

[djl]

If the powder/sugar on one of them, doesn’t quite work.

Ideas to use the bacon
Bacon burnt ends
BBQ beans
Replace the ham in the Goya’s rice and beans recipe

2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup ham, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup Goya tomato sauce
1/4 tsp oregano
3/4 cup water
15.5 oz can of beans or 2 scant cups of cooked beans
1 packet of Sazon Goya con Culantro y Achiote

Heat oil in a skillet. Add ham, onion, pepper, and garlic. Cook for ten minutes.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve over warm white rice.

serves 3 to 4

[texastweeter]

I heard that Spinaker makes the best maple bacon in the world. He hemms up a piglet and the feeds it nothing but Rutty Buck Maple Syrup for 2 yeas to get the perfect flavor, lol.

[Spinaker]

Damn right dude!!