The strips don't come with the fat cap and I don't feel the need for it, either. What I'd do is remove the fat cap, then cut the meat into chunks for the IP. You can score, salt and roast the fat to crispy goodness. I wouldn't cook it in the liquid, as that would probably render it yucky. (technical term)

I use a variety of types of AS, but my favorite is cyclamates, which I order from Canada. The USA is one of the few countries where you can't buy them. The brand name is Sugar Twin, but not at all like the one in the USA. Packaging even looks the same.