3775. BUTTERNUT with BACON, TOMATILLO and CHIPOTLE (CALABAZA ENCHIPOTLADA)

Servings: 2 to 3 as a main course, 4 to 6 as a salad

3 garlic cloves, unpeeled

4 medium (about 8 ounces) tomatillos, husked, rinsed and cut in half across the equator

1 to 2 canned chipotle chiles en adobo

½ of a small (2-pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 3 cups of chunks)

2 to 4 ounces (2 to 4 thick strips) bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces

Salt

About 1 tablespoon grated Mexican queso añejo or other garnishing cheese such as Romano or Parmesan

Set a large (10-inch) skillet (nonstick or lined with foil) over medium-high heat and lay in the garlic and tomatillos (cut side down). When the tomatillos are well browned and soft, 5 to 6 minutes, flip everything over and brown the other side. (The garlic should be soft.) Cool, then peel the garlic.

In a blender, combine the garlic, tomatillos, chipotles and 1 cup water. Blend to a coarse puree.

Scoop the butternut pieces into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, poke a few holes in the top and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large (10-inch) skillet set over medium, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the butternut and tomatillo sauce to the pan, raise the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a brisk simmer. Cook until the butternut is fork-tender and the sauce has reduced by about half its volume, about 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt (it will need only about ¼ teaspoon because of the bacon’s saltiness). Scrape into a serving bowl and finish with a generous sprinkling of the queso.

bacon recipe source: Rick Bayless/Frontera Restaurant (@Rick_Bayless) 

3755. GRILLED FINGERLING-POTATO SALAD with CHIPOTLE BACON VINAIGRETTE

12 to 14 small fingerling potatoes

4 slices bacon

1 large red onion, peeled and sliced in rounds

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon rendered bacon fat

4 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

1 chipotle chile en adobo, or to taste, mashed and minced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with 2 inches of water and a tablespoon of salt, then set over high heat until it comes to a boil. Cook about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain potatoes, place on a baking sheet and allow to cool slightly, then halve the potatoes lengthwise. (You can do this the day before.)

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a sauté pan until crisp. Reserve bacon and, in a small bowl, 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat.

Light a fire in a fire pit with a grill, or in a charcoal grill, or set a gas grill to high. If you have a strong vent in your kitchen, you may use your stove with a burner set to high. Place a large cast-iron grill pan over the heat and allow it to get hot. You can let the fire die slightly. If using a gas grill or stove, turn heat to medium.

Put the potatoes and the sliced onions in a large bowl and toss gently with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Working in batches, grill the potatoes cut-side down on the grill until they have developed a light char, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Grill the onions until they are charred, approximately 4 to 6 minutes a side. Return potatoes and onions to bowl.

For the dressing, combine the remaining olive oil, bacon fat, red-wine vinegar and chipotle in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the dressing to the potato-and-onion mixture and toss gently to combine. Let sit for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the potatoes. Crumble bacon over the top.

bacon recipe source: Sam Sifton, The New York Times/Cooking (@nytfood)

3663. BACON-CHIPOTLE POTATO CROQUETTES

4 cups leftover mashed potatoes (cold)
4 strips bacon, cooked and finely chopped
¼ cup chipotle in adobo, pureed
3 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup bread crumbs
hot oil for frying

Take leftover mashed potatoes and add, mixing well, the bacon, chipotle in adobo puree, and 1 egg. Once everything is well combined, start shaping the potato mixture by taking about a golf ball sized amount into your hands and forming oblong shapes that are about ¼ inch thick. Place the remaining eggs (whisked), flour, and bread crumbs into individual shallow bowls. Dredge your croquettes into the flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs and set them aside. Continue dredging the croquetas until all the mixture is gone. Cook the croquettes in batches until they are golden brown. After fried, drain them on a paper towel lined plate before serving.


bacon recipe source: Melissa Bailey, Hungry Food Love (@hungryfoodlove), January 31, 2015

3539. BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP with CHIPOTLE BARBECUE SAUCE

yields six servings

 

 

20 strips bacon (about 12 ounces)
20 medium-large shrimp, shelled and deveined (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
3 tablespoons chopped chipotles in adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Freshly ground pepper

Soak 5 to 8 bamboo skewers in water for about 20 minutes to keep them from burning on the grill or under the broiler.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet until halfway done, about 4 minutes. Drain and cool on paper towels. Wrap a piece of bacon around the middle of each shrimp; skewer with bamboo through the point where the bacon ends meet to keep it from unraveling. Thread 3 to 5 shrimp on each bamboo skewer.

Puree the barbecue sauce, oil, lemon juice, mustard, chipotles, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper in a blender. Set aside half of the sauce for dipping.

Preheat a grill, grill pan or broiler. Grill or broil shrimp (on a foil-lined baking sheet, if broiling) for 5 minutes, basting with the sauce once they begin to turn pink. Flip, baste again and grill or broil until just cooked through, about 4 more minutes. Serve with extra sauce.

bacon recipe source: Guy Fieri, Food Network Magazine, Food Network

3499. ADOBO CHICKEN with BACON and BAY LEAVES

makes six servings 


3 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/4-inch matchsticks 
6 large chicken thighs (about 8 ounces each) 
salt 
freshly ground black pepper 
6 garlic cloves, minced 
1 large shallot, thinly sliced 
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons coconut vinegar or cider vinegar
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth 
1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce 
1 1/2 tablespoons shiro shoyu (white soy sauce) 
6 bay leaves 
pinch of cayenne

 

In a large, deep skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until browned, 3 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the fat in the skillet. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and add it to the skillet, skin side up. Cook over moderately low heat, turning once, until browned all over, 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate. 

 

Spoon off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet. Add the garlic and shallot and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook until reduced by half, scraping up any bits stuck to the pan, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, fish sauce, shiro shoyu, bay leaves and cayenne and bring to a simmer.  

 

Return the chicken and bacon to the skillet and cook over moderately low heat, turning once or twice, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaves, spoon off the excess fat and serve.

Note: The adobo chicken can be refrigerated overnight or frozen for 2 weeks.

 

 

bacon recipe source: Paul Qui, Food & Wine, May 2013 

3312. BREAKFAST TORTA with BACON, EGGS and CHIPOTLE GUACAMOLE

serves four


4 Mexican rolls (telera or bolillo)

1 (16-ounce) can refried pinto beans

1/2 pound thick-cut bacon 

8 eggs  

2 avocados 

1 tablespoon fresh juice from about 1 lime 

Handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped 

1/2 white onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup) 

1 garlic clove, minced (about 1 teaspoon) 

1 chipotle chile en adobo  

2 ounces queso fresco, crumbled 

 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap rolls in aluminum foil and place in the oven to warm.

 

Heat refried beans in a small saucepan over medium-low, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking on the bottom. Alternatively, heat in the microwave on medium heat, stirring every 30 seconds until hot. Taste and season with a pinch of salt if necessary.

 

Cook bacon in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until crisp. Remove slices with tongs and drain on paper towels. Add 1/2 tablespoon bacon fat to refried beans and stir well. Drain fat remaining fat into a bowl and set aside.

 

Crack 4 eggs into large bowl, season with a pinch of salt, and whisk until combined. Heat 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon fat in the now-empty skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add the whisked eggs. Tilt the pan so eggs evenly coat the bottom, and cook until set and just starting to brown on the bottom, about 1 minute. Use a spatula to fold the eggs like an omelet, and continue cooking until lightly browned. Flip and brown on the other side. Transfer the cooked eggs to a plate. Repeat process with more bacon fat and remaining eggs. Cut both sheets of egg in half, to make four sheets.

 

Cut avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Mash with the back back of a fork. Stir in lime juice, cilantro, onion, garlic, and chipotle. Season to taste with salt.

 

When warm, remove rolls from the oven and discard aluminum foil. Cut each in half horizontally, and use your fingers to remove some of the excess interior of the rolls. For the bottom halves, smear the cut-side with a few tablespoons of refried beans and add a sheet of egg and 2 slices of bacon. For the top halves, smear the cut-side with a few tablespoons of the guacamole and sprinkle queso fresco. Place the top halves on the bottom halves. Slice vertically crosswise and serve immediately.

 

 

bacon recipe source: Nick Kindelsperger (@nickdk), "Dinner Tonight," Serious Eats, March 17, 2014

3262. CHIPOTLE MACARONI and CHEESE with BACON

2 cups of dry elbow pasta
2 cups of milk
1 cup of cottage cheese
1 chipotle chile in adobo
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 clove of garlic, roughly chopped
Pinch of cumin
Salt and black pepper to taste
3 cups of shredded cheese, a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack
1/4 cup of crumbled cotija cheese (optional)
4 pieces of cooked bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon of butter
 
Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9-inch square or round baking pan with the butter. Add the dry pasta.

In a blender, mix together the milk, cottage cheese, chipotle chile, mustard powder, garlic, cumin, salt and black pepper until it’s smooth. Pour mixture over dry pasta and stir until sauce is evenly distributed.

Stir in two cups of the shredded cheese, cover the pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, remove the foil and stir the macaroni and cheese a couple of times. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese and chopped bacon and cook for another 25 minutes uncovered or until brown and bubbling.

Remove from oven, sprinkle with cotija and serve.


bacon recipe source: Lisa, Homesick Texan, February 24, 2010

3245. BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP with CHUNKY TOMATILLO SALSA and TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

serves four


Tomatillo salsa:
6 tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and cut in chunks
2 avocados, peeled and cut in chunks
2 jalapeños, cut in circles
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
Juice of 3 limes
2 tablespoons canola oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Tomato vinaigrette:
1 ripe tomato, halved, seeds squeezed out
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo
1 garlic clove
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons canola oil

Shrimp:
20 large shrimp (about 2 pounds), peeled and deveined, tails on
10 bacon slices, halved
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal, for garnish
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

For the tomatillo salsa, toss the tomatillos, avocados, jalapeños, cilantro, and onion together in a large bowl. Add the lime juice and canola oil, and turn to coat; season with salt and black pepper. Turn the mixture over a few times until the avocados are slightly mashed and the salsa is creamy. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare everything else.

Puree the tomato, chipotle, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, sherry vinegar, sugar, and salt in a blender until smooth. Pour in the oil and puree again until emulsified and slightly thickened. Refrigerate.

Wrap each shrimp in a piece of bacon, overlapping the ends so they stick together. Place a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle with a 1/2-count of oil, and heat just to the smoking point. Lay the shrimp in the pan (do this in batches if it’s crowded) and sauté until the bacon is crisp, tossing so the shrimp cook evenly. To serve, spoon a mound of the tomatillo salsa on each plate. Drizzle a pool of the tomato vinaigrette and top with 5 shrimp. Garnish with green onion and cilantro leaves.


bacon recipe source: Tyler Florence.com, October 9, 2009

3240. EGG and BACON TORTA

serves six


1 dozen large eggs

1/3 cup heavy cream
10 pieces crispy bacon
1 7.5-ounce can chipotles en adobo
1 15-ounce can black beans
6 ciabatta rolls, sliced in half
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup shredded Chihuahua cheese
1 1/2 avocados, peeled, pit discarded, thinly sliced

chipotle salsa

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk the eggs with the heavy cream until well combined. Set aside.

Puree the chipotles and the adobo sauce in a food processor until smooth. Scrape into a re-sealable container. Without cleaning the container, puree the black beans until smooth.

Spread a thin layer of the chipotle puree over the bottom of each of the rolls. Top with a layer of black beans divided up equally between the tortas. Add a layer of bacon on top (1 1/2 slices on each roll).

Melt the butter in a 10-inch skillet set over medium heat. Pour in the egg mixture and gently scrape the sides and bottom of the pan. Once the eggs have formed soft curds, remove the pan from the heat and finish cooking the eggs until just set. Divide the eggs between the tortas. Sprinkle on the Chihuahua cheese and cover with the top of the roll. Wrap each torta in aluminium foil and place in the oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the ciabatta is warm.  Unwrap the tortas, remove the top and place slices of avocado over the filling.  Replace the top and serve immediately with a side of chipotle salsa.


bacon recipe source: Rick Bayless.com: Rick Bayless & Frontera News

3131. HUEVOS RANCHEROS with AVOCADO and CRISPY BACON

Salsa 

1 roughly chopped yellow onion
2 roughly chopped jalapeño
3 cloves of finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 28-ounce can plum tomatoes and juice
1 tablespoons adobo sauce
1½ tablespoons ground cumin
juice of two lemons
juice of one lime
kosher salt to tast
fresh cracked pepper to taste
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro 

Eggs 

4 eggs

15 oz canned refried pinto bean

sliced & cooked bacon

shredded Manchego cheese

sliced avocado

non-stick cooking spray

6 warm corn tortilla

kosher salt to taste

fresh cracked pepper to taste

In a large hot pot with olive oil caramelize the onions, jalapeños and garlic. Once brown, add in tomatoes, adobo, cumin, lemon and lime juice and Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste. Cook for 10 minutes and puree until chunks are rice sized. Finish with cilantro. Keep warm or chill, depending on your preference.

In a non-stick skillet with non-stick spray, saute eggs to desired doneness and season with salt and pepper. In a separate small pot heat the refried beans until hot.

To serve: Place down 3 tortillas and next stack on top: bacon, 2 eggs, 2 ounces of salsa, shredded cheese and avocados.



bacon recipe courtesy of: Billy Parisi, Kitchen Daily

3001. CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATO, BLACK BEAN and BACON TACOS

serves four


8 oz. smoked bacon, diced

2 organic sweet potatoes, peeled & diced (approx 1 1/2 lbs)

1 red onion, diced

1 can organic black beans, drained & rinsed

chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 limes

handful of fresh cilantro

1/2 cup drained Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

cinnamon, to taste

smoked paprika, to taste

cumin, to taste

Kosher salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

8 corn or flour tortillas

 

Preheat oven to 400°. Add the bacon to a cold skillet, heat to medium high and cook until crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the skillet. Save the rest of the bacon fat for the next step.

 

In a large bowl, toss the diced sweet potatoes with chopped chipotle peppers, 2 tablespoons bacon fat, the juice of one lime, and plenty of cumin, smoked paprika and cinnamon, about a teaspoon.

 

Spread the diced potatoes in a roasting pan or baking sheet, lined with parchment paper for the least amount of mess or sticking. If you don't have parchment paper, spray lightly with non-stick cooking oil. Sprinkle with a little kosher salt and black pepper. Roast at 400° until fork tender, about 30 minutes.

 

In the skillet should be about 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat. Add the diced red onions, turn down the heat to low, and allow these to caramelize while the sweet potatoes roast. Stir occasionally  making sure they aren't sticking to the skillet.

Make the yogurt sauce. To the Greek yogurt, add a spoonful of adobo sauce, one clove of garlic (minced), the juice and zest of one  lime, and salt and pepper to taste. Add honey to finish sauce.

To the onions, add a couple teaspoons of minced garlic. Season the onions with a pinch of kosher salt, a little cumin, smoked paprika and cinnamon.

Stir in the black beans and allow them to warm up. Season with a little salt and pepper. 

Warm up tortillas in a small dry skillet or in the microwave.

Add bacon to sweet potatoes and gently toss.

Scoop some black beans into a warmed tortilla. Follow with a good portion of roasted sweet potatoes and crispy bacon. Finish with a dollop of yogurt sauce and a few sprigs of cilantro. Serve with extra lime wedges for garnish.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Angela Davis, The Kitchenista Diaries, February 26, 2013

2565. SHRIMP, BACON and CHIPOTLE PEPPER TACOS

makes six servings


2 lbs. large cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails removed
1 (12 oz.) package bacon, cut into small pieces
1/2 onion, diced
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
12 corn tortillas (or flour)
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of one lime
2 avocados, diced (optional)
Monterey jack cheese (optional)

 In a large skillet cook bacon over medium high heat until evenly browned. Drain the bacon fat from the skillet. Add diced onions and stir fry for 5 minutes or until the onions are tender. Add shrimp and diced chipotle peppers. Cook 4 minutes or until heated through.

Heat tortillas in a skillet over medium high heat for 10 seconds. Turn over and heat for another 5-10 seconds. Fill heated tortillas with shrimp mixture top with cilantro, lime juice, avocado and cheese.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Bobby, BlogChef.net, August 11, 2009

2559. BEER-MOPPED RIB-EYE STEAKS with BACON, ONIONS and GARLIC

makes four servings 

Beer mop:
12 ounces dark beer
2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
2 tablespoons paprika
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 chipotle chiles, canned in adobo
2 tablespoons adobo from canned chiles
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons red vinegar
1/2 cup peanut oil or extra-virgin olive oil

Bacon, onions and garlic:
1 large or 2 small white onions
4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 slices bacon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 jalapeño, cut into very thin round slices
1/2 cup Italian parsley, stemmed, loosely packed
2 (16-ounce) rib-eye steaks
Extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish

For the beer mop: Pour the beer into a sauce pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat. Add the chile powder, paprika and brown sugar. Stir and transfer the mixture to a blender. Add the chipotle chiles with sauce, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar and oil. Purée until smooth.

For the bacon, onions and garlic: Peel the onions and cut into approximately 1/2-inch pieces. Peel the garlic and roughly chop. Cut the bacon into small pieces. In a broad skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the bacon and lightly sauté. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until lightly golden brown. Remove from heat.

Prepare a hot charcoal fire to one side of a grill. brush the steaks with the beer mop and grill over the charcoal fire. (For medium rare, about 6 to 8 minutes per side.) Baste occasionally to generate a caramelized and mahogany-colored look. Move the steaks to the side of the grill without charcoal and allow to rest.

To serve: Reheat the bacon, onion and garlic mixture until very hot. Add the jalapeño slices and parsley leaves. Slice the steaks on the bias into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange the slices on a platter and spoon the bacon, onion and garlic mixture over the steak. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Serve with roasted fingerling potatoes.


bacon recipe courtesy of:  Robert Del Grande, RDG Bar Annie, 1800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056-3962 | John Griffin, SavorSA, San Antonio, Texas, October 11, 2010

2475. SWEET CHIPOTLE CHILI CON CARNE with BACON

serves six


3 dried red chiles
1 cup pitted prunes
boiling water
4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
2 pounds ground beef
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can crushed roasted tomatoes

Place red chiles and prunes in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for 15 minutes, then reserve 1/3 cup of liquid and drain. Reserve.

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about 7 minutes, then remove from pan and add onion, garlic, and paprika to skillet. Cook for another 8 minutes. Then add ground beef to skillet with onions and cook for another 5 minutes, until browned.

In a blender or food processor, process the soaked chiles and prunes. Add chipotle peppers, tomato paste and the 1/3 cup liquid from soaking the chiles, and pulse to combine. Add the mixture to the beef and onions.

Add remaining ingredients, along with the reserved bacon, and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat for at least 20 minutes, then serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: "ChefLuigi" of North Carolina, for Man Tested Recipes, Reader's Digest Association Limited, 413 Pine Street, Suite 500, Seattle, Washington 98101, May 11, 2011

2348. CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP with BACON, CHIPOTLE and FIRE ROASTED TOMATO

yields four servings


3 cups chicken stock
1 pound chicken tenders
1 bay leaf, fresh if available
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
4 slices thick, smoky center cut bacon, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 chipotles in adobo, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons sauce
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
salt
4 cups lightly crushed corn tortilla chips
2 cups shredded fresh smoked mozzarella or smoked sharp white Cheddar, 3/4 pound
1 lime, cut into wedges
1/2 red onion, chopped
freshly chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish

Bring broth to a simmer and add chicken tenders, poach 6 to 7 minutes with a bay leaf.

While chicken poaches, heat extra-virgin olive oil in a medium soup pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp then remove with slotted spoon. Drain off excess fat, leaving 2 to 3 tablespoons in the pan. Add onions and garlic to the skillet and cook 5 minutes then stir in chipotles and tomatoes.

Remove chicken from stock, dice and then add to soup. Pass stock through a strainer then add to the soup.

Place a pile of crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of each soup bowl. Cover liberally with smoked cheese then ladle the hot soup down over the top. Serve with lime, raw onions and cilantro at table to finish the soup.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rachael Ray, "Smokehouse," 30 Minute Meals, Food Network

2305. CHIPOTLE BEET GREENS and BACON SCRAMBLE

makes two servings


4 strip bacon
5 whole eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons soy cream
1 whole small onion, chopped
2 whole chipotle peppers in adobo, diced
2 bunches beet greens, chopped
goat cheese, optional
salt and pepper, to taste

Heat skillet on medium high heat and add bacon. While the bacon fries, add cream to the beaten eggs. Once bacon is crispy and cooked, remove to a paper towel to drain. Once cool, crumble. Into the bacon grease, add the onion and a dash of salt and pepper. Saute until onion is starting to turn translucent. Add chipotle peppers and beet greens. Stir occasionally to keep onions from burning and to wilt greens (if you have a lid for your skillet, use it – this will speed up the wilting process). Once the greens are wilted, add bacon back to the skillet and pour in the egg mixture as evenly as possible. Allow to set a little bit before stirring. Continue to stir until eggs are your preferred scrambled consistency (about 2-3 minutes). Top with goat cheese. Serve with potatoes or toast or both.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Michelle, Tasty Kitchen, March 10, 2011

2206. CRISPY BLACK BEAN and BACON TACOS

serves 4 to 6 as a hefty snack or a simple meal


6 slices bacon
1 small white onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups seasoned, cooked black beans (either canned or homemade), drained of most of their cooking liquid
2 to 3 pickled jalapenos or canned chipotle chiles en adobo, stemmed, seeded & finely chopped
A sprinkling of salt
Vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2 inch for frying
12 very thin factory-made tortillas
2/3 cup crumbled Mexican queso fresco or pressed, salted farmer’s cheese
6 good-size romaine leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 large tomato, cored & chopped into 1/4-inch dice

In a large (10- to 12-inch heavy skillet, lay out the bacon & fry over medium heat, turning when browned underneath, until thoroughly crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but a thin coating of drippings.

Add the onion to the pan & cook, stirring regularly, until deep golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, then coarsely mash with a bean or potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon. Crumble the bacon & add half of it to the beans along with the chiles; stir over the heat until quite thick, about 5 minutes. Taste & season with salt. Cool.

Clean the skillet, pour in the oil & heat over medium-high. When hot, one by one, quick-fry the tortillas for several seconds to soften, then remove them with tongs & pat thoroughly dry on paper towels. Stack the blotted tortillas together, & remove the oil from the heat.

Spoon 2 Tbs of the black-bean mixture down the center of each tortilla, sprinkle each with about 1/2 Tbs of the cheese, & roll up. Cover with plastic wrap.

Return the oil to between medium & medium-high heat, you should have at least 1/4 inch of it in your skillet. Slice the romaine crosswise into 3/8-inch ribbons & toss with the vinegar & a little salt.

When the oil is very hot (it shouldn’t be smoking; 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer is just right), fry the taquitos 4 at a time, being sure to lay them into the hot oil flap-side down. When crispy underneath, about 2 minutes, flip them over & fry on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from the oil with tongs or a slotted spatula, drain on paper towels & tip them to ensure no oil is inside. Keep warm in a low oven until all are fried.

Spread the lettuce on top a serving platter (or divide it between individual plates) & top with the taquitos. Spoon the chopped tomato down he center of the tacos, sprinkle with the remaining cheese & bacon & carry the whole assembly to the table


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen: Capturing the Vibrant Flavors of a World-Class Cuisine by Rick Bayless. Scribner, 1996 | Taste and Tell, June 4, 2010

2120. SWEET POTATO HASH with BACON and SPICY HOLLANDAISE

makes four servings


8 slices thick-sliced bacon
3 medium sweet potatoes, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
salt and ground black pepper
2 to 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
8 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 .9-oz. envelope hollandaise sauce mix
1 tablespoon chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
fresh chives

In 12-inch skillet cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble half of bacon. Drain all but 3 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Meanwhile cook sweet potatoes in boiling salted water for 3 minutes or until just tender; drain.

In skillet, cook onion in hot drippings until tender. Add sweet potatoes and cook until potatoes begin to crisp and brown. Season to taste with salt and pepper; transfer to bowl. Stir in crumbled bacon and maple syrup; keep warm.

Rinse skillet and fill half full of water. Add vinegar to water; bring to boiling. Reduce heat to simmer (bubbles should barely break the surface of the water). Break one egg into measuring cup. Holding the lip of the cup as close to the water as possible, slide egg slowly into water. Repeat with remaining eggs, allowing each egg an equal amount of space. Simmer eggs, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Remove eggs with slotted spoon and place them in large pan of warm water to keep them warm.

In small saucepan, combine milk, butter, and hollandaise sauce mix. Whisk and heat over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Stir in peppers.

To serve, transfer sweet potato hash to serving plate, top with two poached eggs, and cover eggs with hollandaise. Top with bacon strips and chives.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Better Homes and Gardens/BHG.com, Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3023

1939. BLACK BEAN BISQUE with BACON and ROCK SHRIMP ESCABECHE

makes 8 servings


1/2 pound smoked bacon, chopped
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 pound dried black beans, rinsed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tomatoes, quartered
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1/2 cup heavy cream
Rock Shrimp Escabèche (recipe below)

Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven until crisp. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in pan; drain bacon on paper towels, and reserve for another use. Add onion, celery, and carrot, and cook 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add 2 1/2 quarts water, black beans, and next 4 ingredients, and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium, and cook at a brisk simmer, skimming any foam, 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Add salt and vinegar during last 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, and stir in cream. Puree using an immersion blender. Top each serving with a spoonful of Rock Shrimp Escabèche:

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound rock shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 poblano chile peppers, cut into strips
2 red bell peppers, cut into strips
4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sherry vinegar

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat; add shrimp, and sauté 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Place in a bowl, and cover with a paper towel.

Add remaining oil, onion, and next 3 ingredients to skillet, and sauté 2 to 3 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in bay leaves and next 5 ingredients. Slowly bring to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Pour mixture over shrimp. Cover and chill 2 hours or overnight. Discard bay leaves before serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rolando Cruz-Taura, Coastal Living, March 2009

1536. BACON and TOMATO GUACAMOLE

serves 10; yields 3 cups


5 strip(s) medium-thick bacon (full-flavored smoky bacon is great here)
3 medium-large, ripe avocados (about 1 1/4 pounds)
1/2 medium-large white onion, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
2 canned chipotle chilies in adobo, up to 3 chilies, to taste, removed from the canning sauce, stemmed, slit open, seeds scraped out, and finely chopped
1 medium-large, round, ripe tomato, cored and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (see Tip)
1/4 cup(s) loosely packed, coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, thick bottom stems cut off
salt
1 tablespoon(s) fresh lime juice, up to 2 tablespoons

In a large, 10-inch skillet, cook bacon in a single layer over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp and browned, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces.

Cut around each avocado, from stem to blossom end and back again, then twist 2 halves apart. Scoop out pit and discard. Scoop flesh from skin into a large bowl. Using an old-fashioned potato masher or a large fork or spoon, mash avocados into a coarse puree.

Scoop onion into a small strainer and rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water and transfer to bowl, along with chipotle chilies, tomato, cilantro (save a little for garnish if you wish), and about 2/3 bacon. (If guacamole isn't being served right away, don't add bacon until just before serving, because it loses crispness as it sits in guacamole.) Gently stir to combine all ingredients. Taste and season with salt (usually about 1/2 teaspoon) and enough lime juice to add a little sparkle.

Cover with plastic wrap directly on surface of guacamole and refrigerate until ready to serve. Scoop guacamole into a serving dish, sprinkle with remaining bacon (and cilantro if you have it), and you're ready to serve.

Tip: If the tomato is really ripe and juicy, cut it in half width-wise (across its "equator"), then gently squeeze out the jellylike seeds from each half. That will keep the guacamole from being runny.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rick Bayless | delish.com, Hearst Magazines Digital Media, info@delish.com