Taylor Made

Pork roll! The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast --

New Jersey pork roll, aka "Taylor Ham" is a Garden State exclusive -- I've heard tales of the stuff, but never thought I'd find it this side of the Hudson.  According to the package, "Taylor" brand pork roll is an import of the exotic Trenton, New Jersey.  Fancy.

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The "Jersey Breakfast" -- pork roll egg & cheese on a roll.

The flavor is mild and smoky -- kind of like Canadian bacon only a bit more assertive.  The dense, grainy texture is reminiscent of SPAM, but far less thick. Taylor ham is usually pan-fried and enjoyed w/ eggs & cheese. Apparently, you're supposed to score the patty from the outer edges inwards around the circumference before frying; this prevents the pork roll from curling up.  I was not keen to this trick at the time of preparation so I had to go Medieval on this one w/ a potato masher.  

Taylor ham is dirt cheap and endlessly delicious, too bad each 6oz pack risks a massive coronary.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable" - http://www.missioninsatiable.com