Coconut Bacon

Aux Vivres in Montreal makes a yummy vegan BLT. That's how I discovered coconut bacon.

The recipe I use is a combination of the  Simple Veganista and Eating Bird Food recipe, with a little bit of garlic powder added to the mix.

Coconut bacon is great as a salad topping, in a sandwich or as a plain old snack. Does it taste like real bacon? Not exactly but it's deliciously salty, crunchy, smokey and sweet. It's also healthier than real bacon so enjoy it for what it is!

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
• 2 Tablespoons gluten-free tamari
• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ Tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Coconut oil to grease the pan (or use parchment paper)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. In a bowl, whisk together all of your ingredients- except for the coconut.
3. Pour coconut flakes into the bowl and stir gently until all pieces are evenly coated with the sauce.
4. Pour coconut flakes onto a greased baking sheet (Single layer is best). 
5. Bake for 15-17 minutes, stirring the coconut every 5 minutes. Keep a close eye out on it toward the end or it will burn. 
6. Remove from the oven and place in a bowl to cool. It will continue to crisp a bit as it cools.  
7. Store in an air-tight container for about a week (it won't last that long!)  

Note:  I've always been suspicious of the "natural" flavour of Liquid Smoke but I really like the taste, don't use it very often and buy a brand that I trust. Here is one conversation on the topic .