Bacon is so good by itself that to put it in any other food is an admission of failure. You're basically saying, 'I can't make this other food taste good, so I'll throw in bacon.'

In this quote, Penn Jillette humorously critiques the widespread use of bacon as an ingredient in various dishes. He argues that bacon is so flavorful and delicious on its own that adding it to other foods is a sign of failure in cooking. Jillette suggests that by incorporating bacon into a dish, a cook is essentially admitting that they are unable to make the other ingredients or flavors shine on their own, and are relying on bacon to mask any shortcomings in the overall taste.

Jillette's comment speaks to the cultural phenomenon of adding bacon to everything, a trend that has become increasingly popular in recent years. From bacon-wrapped appetizers to bacon-infused desserts, bacon has been used as a way to elevate otherwise plain or bland dishes. However, Jillette views this as a shortcut, rather than a clever culinary technique, implying that it's a lazy way of compensating for a lack of skill or creativity in preparing the dish.

The quote also reveals Jillette's perspective on cooking and flavor development. He seems to believe that a good cook should be able to make any dish taste good on its own, without relying on the overpowering flavor of bacon. His stance suggests a preference for balance and refinement in food, where ingredients work together harmoniously, rather than relying on a single strong element to dominate the entire dish.

Ultimately, Jillette’s quote serves as a playful commentary on the modern trend of overusing bacon in cooking. It emphasizes his belief that bacon, while undeniably tasty, should be appreciated for its own merits and not used as a crutch to cover up a lack of culinary skill or imagination.