2315. PEPPER JACK and BACON MUFFINS with RED PEPPER BUTTER

makes 12 muffins


Red Pepper Butter:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup roasted red pepper, chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Muffins:
8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and divided
2 cups biscuit mix
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 cups (8 ounces) pepper jack cheese, shredded and divided
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare muffin tin by generously greasing or lining with foil liners greased with nonstick spray.

For butter, purée butter, red pepper and garlic powder in food processor or blender; set aside.

For muffins, dice 7 slices of bacon; set aside. Cut remaining bacon strip into 12 squares; set aside.

In medium bowl, combine biscuit mix, cornmeal, diced bacon and 1 1/3 cups Pepper Jack. Add milk, melted butter and egg; stir just until moistened. Scoop batter into 12 muffin cups. Sprinkle remaining cheese over muffins, and place one bacon square on each. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes. Remove from muffin pan and serve with red pepper butter.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, 8418 Excelsior Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53717