Trend-conscious food lovers are touting the combination of bacon and chocolate. If you've ever tasted a chocolate chip and bacon cookie, you may wonder why this freaky sounding combo wasn't discovered long before now.

Richard and I were just out for breakfast and spotted a gentleman with a plate of waffles covered in peanut butter, bacon and topped with maple syrup.

Sweat beaded on my brow--was bacon and peanut butter the next "big thing"? I grabbed my camera and scurried to the scene, notebook in hand.

The gentleman, Larry Danto, seemed accustomed to local food paparazzi, indeed he welcomed the attention payed his breakfast, happy to share a fabulous flavor combination that we may not have tried. "The only thing missing from this is chopped pineapples," he said. I would venture to say shaved chocolate would be a darn good addition too, but that would be yesterday's news.

Larry Danto's palate has ventured far beyond the conventional PB&J sandwich, using peanut butter in a variety of creative ways. "Have you ever tried a toasted peanut butter, BLT with onion sandwich?" he inquired. I admitted I had not. "A finely chopped curried chicken salad, a thick spread of peanut butter with dark bread, lettuce and tomato is wonderful," he added wistfully.

I just made an impromptu plate of the waffles, peanut butter, bacon and maple syrup. It is very good but I regret not having fresh pineapple on hand, it would add a welcome texture and sweet, tart finish to the creation. This may be the next culinary sensation, and Larry Danto is on to something very, very big. I would be surprised if the chowhounds were not barking outside his door right now!

Yield: 2-4 servings Cost: apx. $7.00 (depending on bacon used) Time: 15 minutes (if using frozen waffles)

Ingredients

8 pieces of good-quality bacon 4 waffles, freshly made or frozen 6 tablespoons peanut butter, smooth or crunchy Maple syrup, as desired Chopped pineapple, optional Shaved bittersweet chocolate, optional

Directions

1. Fry bacon until crispy. Cook waffles according to package or waffle iron instructions. 2. When waffles are hot, spread with peanut butter, top with bacon and drizzle with maple syrup, according to taste. Garnish with pineapple or shaved chocolate, if desired.

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