Actually, I do have bacon! My wife signed me up for the bacon of the month club from a local meat shop and she just picked up my first batch before she left. YUM!
Also, they age steaks there and she picked me up two aged rib eyes. The guy that runs the place gave these instructions to cook it:
1. cover both sides lightly with salt
2. Put in a drying rack on a cookie sheet and leave out for two hours
3. Use a cast iron skillet to braise both sides
4. Eat.
So I have a cast iron skillet coming from Amazon tomorrow. :) Think I need to pick up a good bottle of whiskey as well.
It's all taking shape!
PS: I think Bapu's suggestion is a great one, and I'll be working on that.