3066. WHOLE TROUT stuffed with PEA PODS, MUSHROOMS and SCRAMBLED EGGS broiled in BACON

4 medium trout
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped Chinese pea pods
bacon

Slit the trout open along the back, between the head and tail, carefully removing the bones and entrails. Sprinkle the trout with salt.

Beat the eggs and season with salt. Add the chopped mushrooms and pea pods. Scramble the mixture, but do not allow to become too dry. Remove to a dish and allow to cool.

Stuff the egg and vegetable mixture into the trout. Wrap each fish spirally with a strip of bacon, securing with toothpicks. Broil the trout slowly until done, turning once. Remove the toothpicks before serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Japanese Cuisine: A Culinary Tour, by John D. Keys. Tokyo & Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1966, p. 71

3065. BIGOS (HUNTER'S STEW)

serves 6-8


1 large cabbage
salt and pepper
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 lb. bacon, diced
1/2 lb. each: boneless veal, pork, lamb, and beef, cubed
2 large onions, chopped
2 large tart apples, peeled and chopped
2 cups beef broth
1/2 Polish sausage

Shred the cabbage and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let stand for 1 hour. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a heavy pot with lid and fry the bacon cubes. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve. Brown cubed meat well and add onions and apples to brown. Season with salt and pepper. Press out the water from the cabbage. Add to the meat along with remaining butter and fry lightly, turning mixture over with a fork. Add broth to stew. Put the lid on the pot, leaving a small vent, and simmer slowly fro 2 1/2 hours. Slice sausage and add to stew. Add reserved bacon and simmer for 1/2 hour longer.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Horizon Cookbook: An Illustrated History of Eating and Drinking through the Ages, by the Editors of Horizon Magazine. American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., 1968

3064. LEIBERSPIESSCHEN

calf's livers grilled with bacon and sage on skewers

serves four


1 lb. calf's liver
6 slices bacon, cut in 2-inch pieces
fresh sage leaves
1/3 cup butter
1 medium onion, chopped
salt and pepper

Slice the liver into 2-inch long pieces, 1/4 inch thick. Thread on small metal or wooden skewers, alternating with pieces of bacon and a sage leaf. Melt the butter in a large heavy skillet. Add onion and brown for 3 minutes, then add the skewered liver. Saute until brown on each side, for about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately. If fresh sage is not available, 1/2 teaspoon dried sage may be added to the butter.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Horizon Cookbook: An Illustrated History of Eating and Drinking through the Ages, by the Editors of Horizon Magazine. American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., 1968

3063. ONION PIE with LAVENDER, BACON and BLUE CHEESE

makes 4 to 6 servings


1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell (homemade or store-bought; use deep-dish shell if purchased)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk or cream
2 cups caramelized onions (recipe below)
4 ounces bacon, diced, cooked and drained
2 teaspoons food-grade dried lavender
4 to 8 ounces blue cheese, such as gorgonzola, crumbled

Caramelized Onions; makes about 2 cups
2 pounds yellow onions
1 to 2 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 teaspoons sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)

Halve the onions, remove the tough outer layers and cut the onion halves into thin slices.

Place the onion slices in a plastic bowl, sprinkle with salt and sugar, and toss. Set aside for at least 10 minutes. (There is no maximum time, although some unwanted but harmless browning may occur after a couple of hours.)

Melt the butter, if desired, over medium heat in a wide iron pot or skillet. Add the onion. Reserve any liquid left in the bowl. Cook over medium heat under close observation, stirring or tossing often with a spatula, until the first browning is visible. Reduce the heat and add the liquid from the bowl. For the best result, reduce the heat to very low, cover the pot and cook for an hour or more, stirring every 10 minutes or so. For a shorter process, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook under close observation for about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the pie shell for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden. Let it cool.
Whisk together the eggs and milk or cream in a medium bowl. Add the onions and bacon, whisk to combine and pour the mixture into the baked pie crust. Sprinkle with the lavender and crumbled blue cheese.

Place the pie in the oven on the lower rack. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until almost set but still slightly soft in the middle. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Andreas Viestad, for The Washington Post, April 16, 2008

3062. POLLACK with PARSLEY SAUCE and CRISP BACON

serves two 


1 tablespoon plain flour
2 x 200g/8oz thick pollack fillets, skin on
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
4 rindless rashers good streaky bacon

For the parsley sauce
200ml whole milk
½ medium onion, quartered
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon plain flour
nutmeg, for grating
small bunch curly parsley, chopped

To make the sauce, pour the milk into a medium pan and add the onion and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer on the hob and cook for 5 mins. Turn off the heat, then leave to stand for 30 mins. When cool, remove the onion and bay leaf.

To prepare the fish, toss the flour, a pinch of salt and a couple of twists of black pepper in a large bowl. Add the fish, skin-side down, to coat the skin lightly in the flour. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the fish, skin-side down, and the bacon. Cook the fish for 5-6 mins or until the skin is crisp and it is almost completely opaque – there should be a couple of fingers’ width of uncooked fish running down the centre. Cook the bacon until it is really crisp, turning once, then remove and drain on kitchen paper.

Meanwhile, finish making the parsley sauce. Melt the butter in a small pan and stir in the flour. Cook for 30 secs. Slowly add the milk to the pan, stirring. Simmer gently for 5 mins, stirring continuously. Season with a good grating of nutmeg, salt and pepper. Keep warm over a low heat, stirring occasionally.

Flip the pollack over, reduce the heat slightly and cook on the other side for a further min or so until just cooked. Increase the heat under the sauce until it begins to bubble. Stir in the parsley and add a little extra milk if the sauce seems too thick. Season a little more if you like. 

Place the fish on two warmed plates. Spoon over the sauce and place the bacon on top. Serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Valentine Warner, Good Food Magazine, March 2010
 

3061. BLUE COD wrapped in SMOKED BACON

2 x 100-150 gram blue cod fillets

2-3 rashers smoked bacon
80 ml cream
80 ml white wine
1 tablespoon chopped fresh seasonal herbs (parsley, rosemary, thyme, mint, coriander)

3-5 cockles

 

Preheat oven to 180°C. Wrap cod in bacon, place on a baking tray and bake 10-15 minutes until fish is opaque and cooked through. Meanwhile, combine cream, wine and herbs in a small pan, add cockles and simmer until liquid is reduced to a thin sauce consistency and cockles have opened. To serve, place wrapped cod on a plate, surround with cockles and pour over sauce from pan.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Fleur Sullivan, for NZ House & Garden; Fairfax Magazines, 317 New North Road, Eden Terrace, PO Box 6341 Wellesley St, Auckland, New Zealand

3060. BACON-WRAPPED CATFISH NUGGETS

makes about four servings


2 lbs. catfish filets, cut into 1 ¼” pieces

2 cups milk

8 strips bacon

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon salt

3 cups canola oil (for frying)

8-10 6” wooden skewers

 

In a large bowl, place the catfish pieces, cover with milk and refrigerate for about one hour. In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium-low heat until partially cooked but still limp (turning once). Remove bacon from skillet, drain on paper towels and set aside for later use. In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, and salt, and mix well. Starting with a piece of bacon, skewer the bacon, then a piece of fish, then wrap the bacon onto the skewer again, and keep alternating bacon/fish, weaving the bacon around each piece of fish. Dredge the skewered fish in the flour mixture until well coated on all sides, and shake off any excess. Heat oil in a deep 10” skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Fry the catfish skewers in the oil until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5 minutes per side, turning with tongs. Remove from oil with spatula and place on baking tray, and keep warm in oven until ready to serve.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Kay & Tom Van Treese, The Three-Headed Chef: Dinner After Midnight, April 25, 2013

3059. SMOKY PECANS and CASHEWS with BACON

½ cup sugar
½ cup water
20 ounces (total) of cashews and pecan halves
½ cup bacon, approximately 6 slices, cooked and chopped; reserve drippings
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon smoked sea salt, or more to taste

Cook the bacon and chop it into ½ inch pieces. Reserve the drippings in a small bowl. You will use half of it at the end of the cooking time. Place the water and sugar in a sauté pan (do not use non-stick) and allow it to come to a boil. Add the nuts and stir continuously until the sugar has caramelized and the water has evaporated. Stir in the bacon and remove the nuts from the heat. Stir in half of the bacon drippings and the butter. Pour the nuts onto a silicone baking sheet or a greased baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle the salt onto the nuts. When they have cooled completely, separate the nuts and place them in a serving bowl.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kelly Yandell, The Meaning of Pie, February 4, 2012

3058. PASTA with BACON GARLIC MARINARA and HOMEMADE MEATBALLS

For the Marinara:
2 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
6 large heirloom tomatoes (about 3 pounds), blanched, peeled, and cored (keep the seeds)
salt and pepper 

For the Meatballs:
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs made from crustless French or country-style bread
1/3 cup whole milk
8 ounces ground beef (15% fat)
8 ounces ground pork
1 cup finely ground (not grated) Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped Italian parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs
2 large garlic cloves, pressed 

To serve:
1 pound of fresh pasta
parmesan cheese

First, get the sauce going (it will take about 2 hours). Saute the bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over high heat until starting to brown. Add the onion, garlic, and red pepper and saute for an additional 2 minutes, stirring pretty constantly. Add the tomatoes, crushing them with your hands as you put them into the pot, and scrape the brown bits off of the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Immediately start the meatballs once sauce is simmering. Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl, stirring until breadcrumbs are evenly moistened. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Place beef and pork in a large bowl and break into small clumps. Add the parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.

Whisk together the eggs and the garlic cloves in another small bowl. Pour over meat mixture.

Using your hands, squeeze the excess milk from the breadcrumbs, reserving the milk. Add the breadcrumbs to the meat mixture. Using your hands, quickly and gently mix all ingredients together until everything is evenly distributed, taking care to not overmix. Chill at least 15 minutes and up to one hour.

Moisten your hands with the excess milk, then roll the meat into golfball-size balls. You should have about 16 meatballs.

Using an immersion blender or regular blender, puree the sauce to the desired consistency. Return to a wide, shallow saucepan and bring back to a simmer. Add the meatballs in a single layer, and continue to simmer for about 20 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. You'll want to turn them about halfway through, but be careful not to break them apart before they are ready to move.

Cook pasta and drain. Remove meatballs from sauce. Add pasta to sauce pan and toss to coat. Serve with meatballs and shredded parmesan cheese.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Relay Foods: An Online Market for Sustainable Foods & Everyday Groceries; adapted from a recipe by Molly Wizenberg, Bon Appétit

3057. WARM KIDNEY and BACON SALAD

serves two 


2 tablespoons sherry vinegar 

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 

6 tablespoons olive oil 

9-10 cm square piece of bacon, sliced into 3cm x 1cm batons 

6 lambs kidney, split in half lengthways and white core removed 

knob butter 

2 large handfuls frisée lettuce, washed 

For the shallot puree 

butter, for frying  

3 banana shallots, diced 

1 bay leaf  

double cream, for moistening 

For the croutons 

oil, for frying 

4 slices of day old white bread, crust removed and cut into 1cm cubes

For the puree: melt a knob of butter in a heavy-based pan over a low heat and gently sweat the shallots with the bay leaf for about 30 miutes, until they are really soft.

Add a splash of cream and increase the heat until the cream bubbles. Remove the pan from the heat and, using a slotted spoon, transfer the shallots to a blender (don’t add all the liquid from the pan until you know the consistency you have after blending). Puree the mix and add a little more liquid from the pan if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set the mixture aside until ready to serve.

For the croutons: heat a little oil in a heavy-based shallow pan and fry the bread cubes until golden on all sides. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
 
In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and mustard, then slowly pour in the oil and whisk until emulsified into a dressing. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper and set aside.

Cook the bacon in a heavy-based pan until crisp and golden brown. Remove from the pan, and chop.

Season the kidneys on all sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Melt a knob of butter in the bacon frying pan, and add the kidneys, colouring then for about 2 minutes on each side and shaking the pan. They should still be a little pink in the middle. Remove them from the pan and leave them to rest for 1-2 minutes, then drain off any blood.

Put the bacon and kidneys back in the pan over a gentle heat to warm through. Add the croutons and a drizzle of the dressing and toss over the heat again for a minute or two.

To serve, dress the lettuce with the remaining dressing and arrange on serving plates. Add a couple of dollops of shallot puree, sprinkle over the bacon pieces and then top with the warm kidney and scatter over the croutons.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Matt Tebbutt, Market Kitchen, Good Food Channel, UK-TV

3056. HONEY MAPLE BRIOCHE with BACON JAM

12 oz bread flour

4 oz all purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of ground clove
1.5 teaspoon table salt
1 oz dark brown sugar
1/2 oz honey
1/2 oz maple syrup (plus more for glaze)
1 large egg
2 1/4 oz package instant/rapid rise yeast
7 oz whole milk
1.5 oz unsalted butter, room temperature, cut in small pieces
bacon jam (recipe below)
powdered sugar
bourbon


Bacon jam
1.5 lbs uncooked bacon, cut into pieces (about 1-inch)
1 teaspoon (plus more to taste) smoked paprika
1 teaspoon (plus more to taste) chile powder
1 teaspoon (plus more to taste) dried thyme
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 vidalia onion, thinly sliced
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2–3 cloves of garlic, smashed
4 tablespoons (plus more) dark brown sugar
8 oz bourbon
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon ground mustard
2 tablespoons (plus more) maple syrup
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons (plus more) sriracha
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon coffee extract (or 2 tablespoons brewed coffee)
olive oil (as needed)

Place uncooked bacon in a medium sized pot or small dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle with paprika, chile powder and dried thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to crisp. (Add a little olive oil if the bacon begins to stick to bottom of pot before it is crisp.) Remove with a slotted spoon onto paper towels, keeping all bacon fat in pot. Add the butter to the pot with the bacon fat and let it melt, swirling it around. Add the sliced onions, shallots, smashed garlic cloves and the dark brown sugar. Stir to combine. Over medium heat, let the mixture begin to caramelize. This should take about 10 minutes. Pour in the bourbon, stir and cook for about 5 minutes—until the alcohol smell goes away. Stir in the remaining ingredients to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about an hour or until most of the liquid is evaporated and it is thick and syrupy. Throughout the simmering, be sure to stir occasionally and taste. Add in more bourbon, maple syrup, brown sugar, sriracha to taste while it simmers away. Once the mixture is thick, transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until it is finely chopped, if you have a lot in the pot, you can use an immersion blender. (If the mixture is hot, puree in small batches. Use a kitchen towel instead of the lid if you’re using a blender.) Let the mixture cool. You can spread the jam into a quarter-inch layer on a sheet pan and cover with parchment paper.

Brioche
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flours, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Add the salt, sugar, honey, maple syrup and egg to one side of the bowl. On the other side, add the yeast.

Turn the mixer on low and add the milk in a steady stream. Once all the milk has been added, turn the mixer up to medium and knead until the dough comes clean from the sides of the bowl (about 10 minutes). If the dough looks dry, add a little more milk. If it looks wet, add a little more bread flour.

Add the butter to the dough (while the mixer is still going) in small increments, waiting for the butter to be incorporated before adding any more. Once all the butter has been incorporated, knead for about 5 minutes until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl and it makes a slapping sound in the mixer. Remove the dough and place in a greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic and place in the fridge to ferment overnight (at least 8 hours).

Remove dough from fridge and punch down. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Cut the dough in half and cover the unused half so that it doesn’t dry out. With the remaining half, roll it out into a square using a rolling pin slightly larger than the longest side of your loaf pan. (Try rolling it out first WITHOUT adding flour to the surface first. If you find that it sticks, then use a small amount of flour.)

Spread the bacon jam in an even layer all over the dough; go right up to the edges. Then tightly roll up the dough working from one end to the other, slighly pinching so that the dough seals as you go. Once it is all rolled up, pinch the seam and apply a little pressure to make sure that it stays together. With a VERY sharp knife, cut the roll in half (lengthwise) so you end up with two long half circles.

Lie the two halves next to each other with the cut sides facing up. Starting in the middle, have one halve cross over the other. Alternate the twists twice above the middle and twice below the middle. You will have twisted the two haves together, alternating over each other. Place into a greased loaf pan, cutside up. Repeat with remaining dough half. Cover and proof for about an hour, or until doubled inside.

Bake in oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Be sure to rotate pans halfway through. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing and letting cool completely on a rack.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chris Falman, Baker By Design

3055. SEARED BOK CHOY with BACON VINAIGRETTE

makes four servings


1 1/2 to 2 pounds Shanghai or (baby) bok choy, parboiled and shocked
6 ounces bacon, finely chopped
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 tablespoons neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn

Cut the bok choy in half lengthwise and put the cut side down on paper towels to drain. Meanwhile, put the bacon in a small pan over medium-high heat. When it starts to sizzle, reduce the heat to medium and cook until crisp and the fat is rendered, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the vinegar, sprinkle with salt and a good amount of pepper, and then whisk in 3 tablespoons of the oil (it won’t fully emulsify). Set aside.

Put a large, wide skillet over high heat. When it’s very hot, add the remaining neutral oil and put a few pieces of bok choy, cut side down, in the pan (it will spatter, so be careful). Do not overcrowd the pan; you want at least an inch on all sides between the pieces. Cook the bok choy without moving it until the cut side is dark brown and slightly charred. Continue cooking the bok choy in batches.

Pile the seared bok choy on a platter in a serving bowl; give the bacon vinaigrette a stir and drizzle it over the bok choy. Serve warm or at room temperature.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food; Mark Bittman.com, March 25, 2011

3054. CLAMS with SMOKY BACON and TOMATOES

yields four main-course servings 


6 slices applewood-smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-wide strips

1 medium onion, chopped  

3 garlic cloves, pressed  

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice 

1/2 cup chopped drained roasted red bell peppers from jar  

6 pounds littleneck clams, scrubbed  

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley 

 

Heat large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon and onion; sauté until bacon is crisp around edges and onion starts to brown, stirring, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes with juice and peppers; bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Add clams, cover, and boil until clams open, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes (discard any clams that do not open). Stir in 1/4 cup parsley. Divide among shallow bowls. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parsley.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Bon Appétit

3053. PUFFBALL, LOBSTER MUSHROOM and BACON FRITTATA

serves 6-8


1 1/2 cups puffballs, halved or quartered if large
1 heaping cup lobster mushrooms, sliced (discard any brown-fleshed pieces)
1 tablespoons bacon fat
1 tablespoons butter
salt
several pinches Herbes de Provence
7 medium eggs (5-6 jumbo)
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
6 strips maple bacon, cooked until firm and roughly chopped
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a frying pan on low medium heat, sauté puffballs and lobster mushrooms with bacon fat, butter, salt, and several pinches Herbes de Provence. Cook until mushrooms are soft throughout, and begin to turn a caramel golden brown, at least ten minutes. Set aside. Heat an oiled cast iron skillet (9-10″) over low medium heat. Add additional butter, bacon fat, or olive oil to coat the pan if needed. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and milk, two minutes. And the reserved mushrooms. Add cheese, bacon, onion, salt, pepper and Herbes de Provence, and mix well. Pour mixture into cast iron skillet when it is heated, and cook for 5-7 minutes. Occasionally run a spatula across the bottom of the pan in a figure-8 motion, to prevent the egg mixture from sticking, and to more quickly distribute heat. When mixture starts to bubble through to the top (about the same time that a turn of the spatula reveals a large chunk of cooked egg), transfer pan to the oven. Bake for 12-16 minutes more, until frittata is cooked through. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly before serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Emma, of agates and madeleines, September 24, 2012

3052. SUMMER CORN and OYSTER CHOWDER with BACON and FENNEL

yields two appetizer servings


4 oz. smoked slab bacon, diced
1/2 small onion, small dice
1/4 cup small dice fennel bulb (reserve tops for garnish)
1/4 cup small dice celery

2 cobs yellow corn, grated

up to 1 cup whole milk

10 oysters shucked, liquor retained

salt to taste

Put the diced bacon in a saute pan over medium heat and cook until the fat has been rendered and the bacon is crispy. Pour off the fat, leaving about 2 teaspoons in the pan with the crispy bacon. Add the onion, celery, and fennel and cook until softened. Remove the pan from the heat for about 30 seconds to allow it to cool slightly, then add the grated corn (it should be very juicy). Return to the heat and stir constantly as it thickens. Once it is bubbling, add half the milk and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the oysters with their liquor. Stir well and judge consistency; if you prefer it to be a little thinner add a bit more milk to desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and heat quickly to desired temperature. Serve at once; if the soup is allowed to stand too long the oysters will overcook and become tough. Serve in warm bowls and garnish with fennel fronds.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef Eric Joppie, Bar Avignon, 2138 SE Division Street, Portland, OR 97202; Eric Joppie will be participating in Feast Portland (Sunday, September 22, 10 a.m.). Watch Eric Joppie on KATU.com.

3051. YUCATAN BURGERS with ASADERO CHEESE, BACON, and AVOCADO SOUR CREAM

1 Haas avocado, pitted and diced

1 cup Mexican sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped
12 slices bacon, diced
2 ounces achiote paste
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 pounds ground chuck
1 teaspoon Mexican chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for brushing on the grill rack
1/2 pound asadero cheese (or other Mexican cheese)
6 hamburger buns, split

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.
To make Avocado Sour Cream, place the avocado in a small mixing bowl and mash with the back of a fork until relatively smooth. Add sour cream, lime juice, garlic, and oregano; mix until well combined. Refrigerate until serving. Place a large fireproof non-stick skillet on the grill. Add bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. To make the patties, in a large bowl add achiote paste and orange juice; stir until well combined. Add beef, chili powder, allspice, salt, and pepper. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the buns. Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, just until done, about 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. During the last few minutes of cooking, top the burgers with equal amounts of Asadero cheese and place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.To assemble the burgers, place a generous amount of avocado sour cream on the cut sides of buns. On each bun bottom, place a patty topped with cheese and equal amounts of bacon. Add the bun tops and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Sutter Home Winery, Inc., St. Helena, CA 94574

3050. GRAVLAX CLUB SANDWICH

yields 8 sandwiches


16 thin slices grain bread

16 slices bacon, halved crosswise
2 red onions, cut into small dice
2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch dice
8 sprigs cilantro, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
16 mint leaves
2 jalapeno peppers, cut into small dice
4 avocados, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 limes, juiced
8 thin slices gravlax, plus 2 more slices cut into 16 strips crosswise and rolled into rosettes

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toast the bread slices and let cool.

Roast the bacon in oven until crisp.

Chop red onion, tomato, cilantro, garlic, mint leaves, and jalapeno finely. Put in a bowl. Add the avocado and pour in lime juice. Toss the avocado mixture and season well with salt and pepper.

Place 1 tablespoon avocado mixture on each slice of gravlax. Fold the gravlax into a square, so that the avocado is wrapped in the center. Place the bacon and gravlax between 2 slices of bread. Cut the sandwich diagonally. Place a rosette on top each half and place 2 pieces of bacon on top of the rosette.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Marcus Samuelsson, "Midsummer Swedish Buffet," Sara's Secrets, Food Network

3049. BACON-WRAPPED PORK TENDERLOIN with APRICOT COMPOTE and JICAMA SALAD

serves four


For the salad:
2 cups julienne of jicama
2 oranges, segmented, including juice, all pith and membrane removed
1 apricot, pitted and sliced thin
½ red bell pepper, julienne
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 jalapeño or other chile pepper, deseeded and chopped fine, optional
salt and pepper to taste

For the pork:
1 pork tenderloin, silver skin removed

Marinade:
1-inch piece of ginger, cut into strips, smashed with side of knife to release juices
1 clove garlic, peeled
⅛ orange, juice and rind (smash with side of knife to release oils then cut into strips)
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
⅛ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 strips thick-cut bacon (we used pecan-wood smoked bacon)
salt and fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon oil for cooking, as needed

For the apricot compote:
3 medium apricots (or other seasonal stone fruit), pitted and sliced thin
1 shallot, peeled and sliced thin
1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely diced
2 tablespoons julienne of orange peel (as much pith removed as possible)
1 teaspoon coconut oil (or other cooking oil)
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ cup Pinot Noir (or other light bodied red wine)
salt and pepper, to taste

For the salad: Combine all ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl. To segment the oranges, cut off each end; rest on one cut end. Remove the skin with a sharp knife by cutting along the line where the flesh meets the pith, following the natural curve of the fruit, working in small strips around the orange from top to bottom. Remove each segment individually from the membrane using a paring knife – hold over a bowl to collect any juice. Squeeze the membrane to extract any remaining juice. Season to taste. Chill for approximately 15-30 minutes (up to 6 hours) for flavors to meld.

 

For the pork: Blend all marinade ingredients, coat the pork tenderloin and rest at room temperature for 30-40 minutes, or in refrigerator for up to 2 hours; remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking. Remove the pork from the marinade. Season with salt and pepper then wrap with bacon (as much or as little as you like), secure bacon ends with toothpicks, if desired. Preheat oven to 375. Heat a heavy sauté pan until very hot. Add a bit of cooking oil (not necessary if using non-stick or well-seasoned pan). Sear the pork on all sides until caramelized. Transfer the pork to a baking sheet. Save the fat, juices, and bits in the pan for use in making the compote. If the fat is pooling, drain some off (ideally, there is very little excess fat but brown – not burned – bits in the pan). Finish in oven for approximately 12-18 minutes or until the meat reaches 145 degrees. Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. In the meantime, make the compote.

 

For the compote: If possible, use the same pan as you used to cook the pork, with the drippings – heat pan over medium heat. Add the coconut oil. Sauté the shallot and ginger until the shallot starts to become tender; add the orange peel and the dry spices. Sauté until lightly caramelized. Add the apricots. Cook over medium-high heat until the fruit starts to soften and lightly caramelize. Add the wine and use it to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer on low-medium heat until it reaches a desirable consistency. Season to taste. You can stir in any additional pan drippings from the pork for added flavor. This compote can be made vegetarian/vegan by using a fresh pan and not adding any renderings. It can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

 

To serve: To plate the dish, place a 1/2 cup portion of jicama salad on the plate. Arrange 2-3 slices of pork tenderloin against it and top with the warm apricot compote. Garnish with chopped cilantro, parsley or chives. 

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Annette Tomei, Eat Something Sexy, June 14, 2013

3048. BAKED SWEET POTATOES with OLIVES, CHILLI, BACON and SMOKED MACKEREL

serves four


4 large orange-fleshed sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
150 grams unsmoked back bacon, thinly sliced
6 spring onions, sliced
2 red chillies, seeded and sliced
200 grams smoked mackerel fish fillets, skinned
75 grams black olives, pitted and chopped
25 grams butter

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Roast the sweet potatoes for 45 minutes to one hour, or until a knife slides easily into them. When almost ready, heat the oil in a pan and fry the bacon for four minutes over a high heat, until golden. Add the spring onions, chilli, mackerel and olives, and cook for two to three minutes more. When the potatoes are ready, cut a slit down the middle and place a knob of butter in each one. Fill with the mackerel and bacon mixture, and serve hot.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Tonia George, Red Magazine online; Hearst Magazines UK/National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP

3047. SKATE and SPINACH SALAD with BACON and CHIVES

yields six servings


2 pounds skate wing fillets
1 cup dry white wine
1 pound fresh spinach, well rinsed and dried
1/4 pound bacon
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
freshly ground black pepper

Place the skate fillets in a skillet that will hold them in a single layer, add the wine, bring to a simmer and poach gently for eight minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool in the poaching liquid. Remove the stems from the spinach and place the spinach in a bowl. Fry the bacon until golden. Remove it from the pan and drain it on paper towels. Crumble it into one-half inch pieces and mix with the chives. Add the olive oil to the bacon fat in the pan. Beat the mustard and vinegar together and whisk them into the bacon-fat mixture. Toss the spinach with all but three tablespoons of this dressing. Arrange the spinach salad on each of six plates. Drain the fish and divide it into six equal portions. Place a warm fish fillet on each bed of spinach. Spoon the remaining dressing over each fillet, then sprinkle with the crumbled bacon and chives. Season with pepper and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Florence Fabricant, "Beyond the Usual Catch: Shark or Skate," The New York Times, June 30, 1991

3046. JAGERSCHNITZEL with BACON MUSHROOM GRAVY

yields 4 to 6 Servings


1 1/2 pounds pork loin, cut into 6-ounce portions

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons mustard
1 cup crushed unsalted crackers
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 pound bacon, diced
1/2 diced yellow onion, approximately 1/2 cup
2 cups sliced button mushrooms
1/4 cup red wine
Olive oil, for frying
2 cups beef stock
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Pound pork slices between sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness. In a shallow medium bowl, mix together 3/4 cup flour with salt, pepper, garlic and paprika. In another shallow medium bowl, combine egg, milk and mustard. In another medium shallow bowl, combine cracker and panko crumbs. Dredge pork slices first in flour, then in egg wash, and finally in crumbs. Let set on a baking sheet fitted with a cooling rack for 5 minutes.

In a medium saute pan over medium heat cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from pan to drain on paper towels. In same pan with bacon fat, add onions and saute for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue sauteing for 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup flour. Cook flour to make roux until light brown, about 2 minutes. Add wine and cook for 3 minutes, reducing by 1/3, then add stock. Continue cooking to reduce by 1/3 again. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

Heat 1/4-inch oil in thick saute pan or cast iron skillet to 350 degrees F. Cook pork evenly on both sides, about 5 minutes for the first side, 3 to 4 minutes for the second. Remove to platter when done. Add butter to sauce, stirring until it has melted. To serve, cover pork with sauce. Sprinkle with chopped bacon and fresh parsley to garnish.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Guy Fieri, "Schwein and Dandy," Guy's Big Bite, Food Network, May 2008

3045. CAMPFIRE GRILLED ROMAINE SALAD with CRISPY BACON and CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

4 heads of romaine lettuce

12-14 slices of thick-cut bacon
4 avocados
2-3 limes
2-3 tomatoes
2 poblano peppers
2 zucchini
1 clove garlic, grated


For the chimichurri sauce:
1 bunch cilantro, chopped roughly
1 bunch Italian parsley, chopped roughly
1-2 bunches oregano, chopped roughly
1 small red onion, minced finely
10 drops Tabasco
1 tablespoon capers, chopped roughly
2 cups olive oil
2 cloves garlic, grated
Zest of 1 lime, grated
Juice of 2 limes

Cook the bacon in a pan on top of fire to preferred texture and reserve the fat. Coat the poblano peppers lightly in oil, place on grill, and char all around. Take the peppers off the grill place in a bowl. Cover to steam (this will help peel them later). Cut zucchini in half lengthwise, score lightly, toss with oil and rub with garlic. Grill with cross hatching technique both sides. Cut romaine in half lengthwise, wash, dry, coat lightly with olive oil, and season with salt. Place on grill to get light smoke flavor and light grill marks. Cut avocados in half, remove pit, cut into slices (in the skin) and remove with large spoon. Set slices on plate, sprinkle with salt and squeeze lime juice over them. Cut ripe tomatoes into wedges and season with salt.

For the chimichurri sauce: Combine all ingredients, season with salt. When the ingredients have time to meld, they taste even better.

To assemble: Place half a zucchini on each plate. Cut the grilled half head of romaine and place as an 'X' on top of zucchini with core at bottom. Arrange tomatoes, sliced avocado, and roasted peppers around the romaine. Drizzle generously with the chimichurri sauce and top with crisp hot bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jennifer Biesty, Scala's Bistro, 432 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA

3044. NEW ZEALAND BACON and EGG PIE

for Sally Powers

serves twelve


½ cup ketchup
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
2 9″ x 11″ sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed and chilled
20 eggs
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 lb. sliced bacon, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat oven to 400°. Whisk together ketchup and Worcestershire in a small bowl; set aside. Using a rolling pin, roll one sheet of puff pastry on a floured work surface to form an 11″ x 14″ rectangle; transfer to a 9″ x 12 ½″ baking pan and let excess hang over sides. Separate 1 of the eggs and place the egg yolk in a small bowl; stir in cream, and set egg wash aside. Place remaining egg white on top of pastry, crack the eggs and drop them on top of pastry, spacing them evenly apart, and sprinkle evenly with bacon; drizzle ketchup mixture evenly over eggs and bacon, and season with salt and pepper.

Fold dough hanging over the edge of the pan back over the ingredients and brush with some of the egg wash; roll second pastry sheet into a 10″ x 13″ rectangle and place on top of eggs and bacon, tucking edges into sides of pan. Cut 4 slits in the top of the pastry with a paring knife, and then brush completely with egg wash. Bake until golden brown and eggs and bacon are cooked through, about 1 hour; cut into squares to serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Victoria Ross, Saveur.com, October 31, 2012

3043. BACON, TOMATO and FARRO SALAD

makes six servings


1 cup farro, or quick-cooking barley
2 slices center-cut bacon
1 medium shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Place farro (or barley) in a medium saucepan; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes for farro (about 10 minutes for barley). Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; leave the fat in the pan. Add shallot to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in vinegar, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Crumble or chop the bacon. Add to the bowl along with tomatoes, basil and the warm vinaigrette; gently stir to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.


bacon recipe courtesy of: EatingWell, May/June 2013 

3042. NEW YORK STRIP STEAK with BACON, JALAPENO and CORN PUREE

yields 4 servings


Bacon & Jalapeno Condiment:
5 lbs bacon, chopped
3 onions, chopped
1 head garlic, peeled and chopped
6 jalapenos, seeds removed, chopped
1 cup balsamic vinegar

Corn Purée:
6 ears fresh corn, off the cob
1 lb frozen corn
4 oz butter
1 oz sugar
1 teaspoon turmeric 
Milk, to cover 
Salt, to taste

Red Wine Jus:
1 bottle red wine
2 cups demi glace
1 bunch fresh thyme

Vidalia Onions:
1 cup flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 egg yolk
1 cup soda water
1 Vidalia onion, sliced into rings

NY Strip Steak:
4 (or 16 oz) New York strip steaks
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Bacon & Jalapeno Condiment: Render bacon in a pan and add onions, garlic, and jalapenos. Cover with balsamic vinegar and cook slowly until vinegar is reduced and jam consistency.

For the Corn Purée: Place corn, butter, sugar, turmeric, and salt in a pot. Cover with milk and cook slowly until milk has been reduced by half. Purée until smooth.

For the Red Wine Jus: Put red wine in a pan and reduce to au sec. Then add demi glace and thyme. Reduce to sauce consistency.

For the Vidalia Onions: Mix flour, cornstarch, egg yolk, and soda water to make a tempura batter. Dip onions in batter and deep fry at 350-degrees F until golden and crispy.

For the NY Strip Steak: Season steaks and grill to medium rare. Let rest before slicing.

To Serve: Place corn purée on plate. Slice steak and layer on top. Spoon bacon & jalapeno condiment over steak. Top with fried tempura onions. Drizzle red wine jus around the plate.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kevin Sbraga, Top Chef, Season 7, Episode 12, Elimination Challenge; Bravo TV

3041. LAMB SHOULDER with POLENTA and BEANS with BACON

makes 6 servings


Lamb roast: 
2 cups fresh basil leaves 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1 3-pound boneless lamb shoulder roast, tied (a butcher can do this) 
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 

Polenta: 
4 sprigs thyme 
1 small shallot, finely chopped 
1 garlic clove, finely grated 
1 cup coarse polenta 
1 cup heavy cream 
3 cups (or more) low-sodium chicken broth 
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 

Beans and assembly: 
1/3 cup sugar 
1/3 cup unseasoned rice vinegar 
1/2 teaspoon hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek) 
1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more 
2 leeks, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise 1/4" thick, divided 
3 ounces thick-cut bacon, sliced crosswise 1/4" thick 
1 14-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed 
freshly ground black pepper 
3/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems 

For lamb roast: Preheat oven to 325°F. Blend basil and oil in a food processor until smooth. Place lamb in a roasting pan. Season generously with salt and pepper and rub basil purée all over. Cover with foil, and cook until fork-tender, 3-3 1/2 hours. Increase oven temperature to 500°F. Remove foil and roast lamb until golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Let rest 30 minutes. Pour pan juices into a measuring cup and skim; set jus aside. 

For polenta: Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Mix thyme, shallot, garlic, polenta, cream, and 3 cups broth in a 13x9x2" baking dish; season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake, without stirring, until polenta is softened and liquid is almost completely absorbed, 60-75 minutes. Thin polenta with more broth, if needed. 

For beans and assembly: Bring sugar, vinegar, chili paste, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/3 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add half of leeks, reduce heat, and simmer until soft, 8-10 minutes. Drain; set leeks aside. Wipe out saucepan. Cook bacon over medium heat until fat renders and bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Add remaining uncooked leeks to saucepan and cook, stirring often, until soft, 8-10 minutes. Add beans, bacon, and reserved boiled leeks and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Untie lamb and thinly slice. Divide polenta among bowls. Top with lamb, beans, and herbs; drizzle with jus.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Justus Drugstore, 106 W Main Street, Smithville, Missouri; Bon Appétit, September 2013

3040. OVEN-STEAMED MUSSELS with HARD CIDER and BACON

serves 2-4


1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup hard cider
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
4 lb. mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 500 degrees.

Heat oil and bacon in roasting pan until bacon has rendered and is starting to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add hard cider, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves and bring to boil. Cook until cider is slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Add mussels and salt.

Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and transfer to oven. Cook until most mussels have opened (a few may remain closed), 15-18 minutes.

Remove pan from oven. Push mussels to sides of pan. Add heavy cream to center and whisk until melted. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves, sprinkle parsley over mussels, and toss to combine. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Andrew Janjigian, "The Best Way to Cook Mussels," Cook's Illustrated, September & October 2013, page 19

3039. LATKES with BACON and APPLE SAUCE

serves 4-6 


For the apple sauce 
2 Bramley apples 
25 grams butter 
1 tablespoon sugar 

For the latke 
1 onion (optional) 
1 kilogram floury potatoes
2 large eggs 
4 tablespoons flour 
oil, for frying 
24 rashers streaky bacon 
maple syrup (optional) 

For the apple sauce: peel, quarter and chop the apples – work quickly as the air will turn them brown. Put in a pan with 100ml water. Cover and bring to the boil. Cook until the apples collapse. Remove form the heat and stir in the butter and sugar.

For the latke: peel and grate the onion on the large hole side of a cheese grater. Peel and grate the potatoes and mix with the onion. Squeeze the mixture dry by pressing the mixture between your hands. Lightly beat the eggs with a generous pinch of salt. Sift over the flour gradually, stirring until the batter is smooth. Add the potatoes and onion and stir well. Heat 1 cm oil in a frying pan. Drop spoonfuls of the latke mixture into the hot oil and flatten a little with the back of the spoon. Lower the heat so that the pancakes cook through evenly. After 2–4 minutes, when the bottom is golden brown and has formed a crust, turn and cook the other side. While the latkes are cooking, preheat the grill. Grill the bacon until crisp.

Serve the latkes with the bacon and apple sauce. Drizzle with maple syrup.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Lindsey Bareham, Market Kitchen, Good Food Channel

3038. BACON and EGG SANDWICHES with PICKLED SPRING ONIONS

makes four servings 


Pickled spring onions:  
4 spring onions or 6 scallions, whites only, thinly sliced 
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 
2 teaspoons sugar 
1 teaspoon kosher salt

 

Maple bacon and spicy mayo: 

12 slices thick-cut bacon 

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 

1/4 cup mayonnaise 

1 tablespoon Sriracha  

 

Fried eggs and assembly: 

8 slices white sandwich bread, such as Pullman 

1/4 cup mayonnaise 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 

4 large eggs 

Kosher salt, ground pepper 

1 cup arugula leaves 

 

For pickled spring onions: Combine onions, vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl and toss to combine; let stand for 30 minutes. 

 

For maple bacon and spicy mayo: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place bacon on a foil-lined large rimmed baking sheet; brush both sides with syrup. Bake until bacon begins to crisp but is still pliable, 20-25 minutes. Mix mayonnaise and Sriracha in a small bowl to combine; set aside.

 

For fried eggs and assembly: Spread 1 side of bread slices with plain mayonnaise. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Working in batches, cook bread, mayonnaise side down, until brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. Wipe out skillet. Melt butter in same skillet over medium heat; crack eggs into skillet. Cook, occasionally basting with butter in skillet, until whites are set, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spread untoasted side of each bread slice with spicy mayo. Build sandwiches with bread, bacon, eggs, pickled spring onions, and arugula. 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Noble Sandwich Company, 11815 620 N. Suite 4, Austin, Texas; Bon Appétit, April 2013

3037. CLAM and BACON PIZZA

makes four servings


2 heads of garlic, separated into cloves, peeled
24 littleneck clams, scrubbed
2 tablespoons olive oil plus more
8 ounces thick-cut bacon, sliced crosswise 1/4" thick
1 pound prepared pizza dough, room temperature
1 ounce Pecorino, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves and crushed red pepper flakes (for serving)

Bring garlic and 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Drain. Repeat process twice more. On final turn, do not drain; reduce heat and simmer until garlic is tender, 20-30 minutes. Drain; reserve garlic. Cook clams and 1/4 cup water in a large pot over medium-high heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until clams open, about 5 minutes (discard any clams that do not open); transfer to a large bowl. Strain clam cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. Remove clams from shells and coarsely chop. Place in a medium bowl, cover, and chill. Purée reserved garlic, 1/2 cup clam cooking liquid, and 2 tablespoons oil in a blender, adding more cooking liquid by the tablespoonful, until smooth and creamy. Preheat oven to 500°F. Cook bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until fat renders and bacon is slightly crisp, about 5 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Cut pizza dough in half. Working with 1 piece at a time and keeping other piece covered with a damp towel or plastic wrap, gently stretch dough into 12"-14" rounds and transfer to lightly oiled baking sheets. Spread dough with garlic purée and top with Pecorino, clams, and bacon. Bake pizzas until cheese is melted and crust is brown and crisp, 10-15 minutes. Drizzle with oil and top with parsley and red pepper flakes.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Area Four, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Bon Appétit, September 2013