The rise of salmon BACON: The new healthy breakfast and brunch trend taking Australia by storm

A producer of Tasmanian-grown Atlantic salmon has released ‘salmon bacon’ as an alternative to the country’s most popular breakfast treat.

Tassal launched the smoked salmon bacon in Coles stores nationwide for $9.50, claiming that the slices are thin enough and crispy enough to resemble the pork-based meat when cooked.

The fish requires a quick pan-fry for two minutes on either side before it can be added to a burger, egg on toast or waffles, just like you would with traditional bacon.  

The fish requires a quick pan-fry for two minutes on either side before it can be added to a burger, egg on toast or waffles, just like you would with traditional bacon

Containing half the saturated fat of most bacon products, one serve of salmon bacon provides a rich source of Omega-3 fats and a protein boost, to gives Aussies the best start to their day.

‘The benefit of having a new, nutritious protein like salmon bacon in your diet is that it offers a convenient, protein-rich alternative to regular meat products,’ nutritionist Susie Burrell said.

‘Plus, you get the benefit of achieving your entire daily recommended intake of long chain Omega-3 fats, which are only found in a few select foods.’

‘The benefit of having a new, nutritious protein like salmon bacon in your diet is that it offers a convenient, protein-rich alternative to regular meat products,’ nutritionist Susie Burrell said

Burrell recommends eating two servings of oily fish a week, as recommended by Australian health officials

Burrell recommends eating two servings of oily fish a week, as recommended by Australian health officials. 

Those that have already tried the bacon alternative have been impressed by its design.

‘Purchased some today and whipped it up for a light lunch on toast with feta – thoroughly impressed,’ one person wrote on Facebook.

Recipe: Waffles with salmon bacon, asparagus and maple syrup

Ingredients: 

2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp sugar

2 eggs

375ml warm milk

75g butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

OR

12 store purchased waffles, toasted

250g cream cheese, at room temperature

200g TASSAL Salmon Bacon

2 bunches baby asparagus, blanched

250ml maple syrup

sprigs of fresh dill, to garnish

Method:  

1. In a large bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add sugar and stir through. In a separate bowl beat eggs, milk, butter and vanilla together. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until well blended. 

2. Preheat a waffle iron to medium hot and lightly spray with oil. Ladle the batter into the waffle iron and cook the waffles until golden and crisp. Turn waffle iron to brown and crisp the top side. 

3. To serve; place a good-sized dollop of soften cream cheese in the centre of each waffle and top with a slice of TASSAL Salmon Bacon, asparagus spears and a drizzle with maple syrup. Finish with a few sprigs of dill and serve immediately. Delicious served with chopped cherry tomatoes and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Waffles with salmon bacon, asparagus and maple syrup (pictured)

‘This looks DELICIOUS! Hopefully I can convince my bacon-loving husband to try it,’ said another. 

From a salmon bacon bruschetta to breakfast wraps and breakfast bowls, the salmon bacon can easily be integrated into a number of delicious options. 

Each pack contains 140g worth of the slices and serves two people, with 36 per cent of your daily protein and seven per cent of your daily energy.