barding

Definition

Wrapping lean meat with thin sheets of fat (usually bacon or pork fat) before cooking to prevent drying and add flavor. The bacon Band-Aid that saves your roast from becoming shoe leather.

Example Usage

The chef barded the venison loin with bacon to keep it moist during roasting.

Origin

From 'barde,' French for 'armor' or 'covering'

Fun Fact

Medieval French cavalry wore 'barding' as armor for horses—the culinary technique borrowed the name for its protective function.

Source: Classical European meat preparation techniques

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