3583. BARBACOA SLIDERS with BACON JAM

makes 24 sliders


2 dozen slider buns
2 tablespoons butter, melted
bacon jam (recipe below)
braised beef cheeks (recipe below)
pickled onion (recipe below)
1 bunch cilantro leaves
½ cup cotija cheese, grated
2 jalapenos, thinly sliced with stems removed
salt, to taste

For the braised beef cheeks:
5 lbs. beef cheeks
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 carrot, sliced into ½” rounds
1 stick celery, sliced into ½” slices
1 medium onion, sliced
½ tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon Ancho chile powder
1 bottle red wine
2 cups demi glace
1 small stick cinnamon
1 clove
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon chipotle en adobo

For the pickled onion:
1 red onion, peeled and sliced thinly
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the bacon jam:
1 red onion, sliced
8 garlic cloves, crushed lightly
2 large tomatoes, diced large
1 lb. bacon, cooked until crisp, with fat drained
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
salt, paprika and black pepper to taste

For the braised beef cheeks: Heat a large saucepan, over high heat. Pour in the vegetable oil and sear the cheeks to a nice brown. Add the vegetables and cook until lightly coloured. Add the cumin and ancho chile powder and toast for about a minutes. Deglaze with red wine, then add all of the remaining ingredients.

For the pickled onion: In a small bowl, season the sliced onion heavily with salt. Let sit for about 15 minutes then rinse the salt off with water. Strain the onion. Pour cider vinegar over the onions, and toss. Let sit for another 15 minutes then strain. Add a little vegetable oil and toss until shiny. Reserve.

For the bacon jam: Add all ingredients to a large pot and cook for about 30 to 45 minutes at a gentle simmer. Pour into the bowl of a food processor and blend until only small chunks remain. Serve on top of our as a side with beef sliders.

To assemble, slice slider buns in half and brush each side with melted butter. Toast until lightly golden. Warm beef cheeks in a saucepan, with a little of the braising jus. Season to taste with salt. Spread a spoonful of the bacon jam onto the bottom bun and place a little of the beef cheeks on top. Top with pickled onion slices, cilantro leaves and sprinkle with cotija cheese. Cover with the top bun, and place a thin slice of jalapeno on top.


bacon recipe source: TRIO (@TRIOAustin), 98 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78701 

3480. BLUE CORN FRIED CHICKEN with ANCHO HONEY and BUTTERMILK-BACON SMASHED POTATOES

yields four servings


Chicken

1 whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds) cut up
3 cups buttermilk
Peanut oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cups all-purpose flour seasoned with salt and pepper
4 large eggs, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and seasoned with salt and pepper
2 cups blue cornmeal, seasoned with salt and pepper

Ancho-honey sauce
1 cup honey
2 tablespoons ancho chile powder

Buttermilk-bacon potatoes 

2 pounds red bliss potatoes, skin on and boiled
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup buttermilk
4 cloves roasted garlic, smashed to a paste
1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Salt and freshly ground pepper

For the chicken: Place chicken in a large baking dish, add buttermilk, turn to coat. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Heat 1-inch of the peanut oil in a cast iron skillet to 350 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Dip each piece of chicken in the flour and pat off excess. Dip in the eggs then cornmeal. Slowly add the chicken pieces to the hot pan skin-side down in batches. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium high and cook for 7 minutes, remove the cover, turn the chicken over and continue to cook for 6 to 7 minutes. Drain on paper towels and transfer to a platter. Drizzle with the Ancho Honey Sauce.

For the ancho-honey sauce: Mix all ingredients together until blended.

For the buttermilk-bacon potatoes: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and smash, don't puree.

bacon recipe source: Bobby Flay, "Chicken & Honey," Hot off the Grill with Bobby Flay, Food Network

3473. TEQUILA-SPIKED BACON TUNA BURGERS with FOUR CHILES

2 tablespoons ground California (dried Anaheim) chilies

1 tablespoon ground dried guajillo chilies
1 tablespoon ground pasilla (dried chilaca) chilies or ground ancho (dried poblano) chilies
2 teaspoons kosher salt, in all
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds sashimi-grade yellow fin tuna steaks or medallions
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, in all, plus six sprigs for garnish
4 cloves garlic, minced, in all
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good quality tequila, in all
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, in all
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, in all
2 tablespoons minced shallot
1 ripe California avocado
12 slices center-cut bacon
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded Queso Chihuahua or Monterrey Jack cheese
2 roma tomatoes (preferably vine-ripened), seeded and chopped
1 4.5 oz. can chopped mild green chilies
Canola oil
6 kaiser rolls

Combine well in a small bowl the ground chilies, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper.

Cut the tuna into rough cubes equal to its thickness. Pulse tuna in a food processor until it has the look of ground beef. Depending upon the size of the food processor, this may require two batches. Transfer tuna to a large bowl and combine with 1/2 of the ground chile mix, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 cup of the cilantro, 2 cloves of the minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of the tequila, 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, 1 tablespoon of the toasted sesame oil, and the minced shallot. Form 6 patties, approximately 1 inch thick. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Halve and pit the avocado. Carefully scoop the halves out of the rind with a large spoon. Slice each half lengthwise into (at least) 9 thin slices. Place slices in a shallow bowl and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Gently toss the slices to coat, cover, and set aside.

Preheat the remaining 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet on a side burner or directly on the grill racks over medium heat. Spread the remaining 1/2 of the ground chile mix on a plate and press the bacon slices into it, coating both sides. Fry the bacon in the skillet until crisp, turning at least once. Do not char. Transfer bacon to a paper towel to drain. Remove skillet from heat. Carefully tilt skillet and soak up any pooled bacon grease with a handful of paper towels, leaving a thin coating of bacon grease (about 1 tablespoon) and all browned bits (fond) from the bacon and chilies. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of tequila to the pan and ignite the tequila with a long lighter or match. Gently shake the pan until the alcohol burns out. Return the pan to the heat and add the heavy cream and the remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic. Bring to a boil and whisk until thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Pan sauce should be a rich orange color. Remove skillet from the heat. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of cilantro, the shredded cheese, the tomatoes, and the canned green chilies. Cover and set aside.

Preheat grill over medium-high heat. Brush racks with canola oil. Brush tuna burgers on both sides with canola oil. Grill tuna burgers 2 1/2 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove to a plate and loosely cover with foil.

Brush bun faces with canola oil. Toast on grill. Do not allow to char.

With a rubber spatula, spread the pan sauce on the inside faces of the bun bottoms and tops. Divide avocado slices among bun bottoms, 3 slices per burger. Place the burgers on the avocado slices. Place 2 bacon slices in an X on each burger. Halve the burgers and secure with toothpicks. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. 


bacon recipe source: Sutter Home Family Vineyards, 277 St. Helena Hwy (Hwy 29), South St. Helena, CA 94574

3120. CRISPY BACON and HASH BROWN QUESADILLAS with FRIED QUAIL EGGS

yields eight servings


Crispy Bacon 
8 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut into lardons and cooked until golden brown

Hash Browns 
2 large Idaho potatoes, scrubbed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup canola oil, divided
2 large Spanish onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 poblano chile, finely diced
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Tomato Relish 
2 ripe beefsteak tomatoes or 4 ripe plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 jalapeno, finely diced
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Quesadilla
8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
2 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons ancho chile powder

Fried Quail Eggs 
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 quail eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

Special equipment: Ramekins 

For the hash browns: Place potatoes in a medium pot of cold, salted water, bring to a boil and cook until fully cooked about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, let cool slightly, and grate on a grater using the large holes. Heat 2 tablespoons oil or remaining bacon fat, in a large saute pan over medium heat and add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick saute pan over high heat, add the potatoes and cook until golden brown. Stir in the onions, poblano chile, ancho chile powder, paprika, and salt and pepper and cook until just warmed through.

For the tomato relish: Combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper in a bowl and let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving.

For the quesadillas: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place 4 tortillas on a work surface and top with cheese, hash browns, and bacon. Cover with 4 more tortillas to make 4 2-layer quesadillas. Brush the tops with oil and sprinkle with the ancho powder. Transfer the quesadillas to a large baking sheet and bake in the oven until golden brown and cheese has melted, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cut each quesadilla into quarters.

For the quail eggs: Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium nonstick saute pan until it begins to shimmer. Crack each egg into a ramekin and carefully slide into the pan (cook 4 at a time). Season with salt and pepper and cook until the white has set and the yolk is slightly firm, carefully flip over and continue cooking for another minute.

Assembly: Top each quesadilla quarter with a fried quail egg and a few heaping tablespoons tomato relish and garnish with chopped chives. Arrange on a platter.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Bobby Flay, "Bite Size Brunch," Brunch at Bobby's, Cooking Channel TV

2977. BARBECUE PORK RIBS with SMOKY BACON BARBECUE SAUCE

makes 4 to 6 servings


For the ribs
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ancho or New Mexican chile powder
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 slabs St. Louis–style pork spareribs (about 7 pounds total) or 2 slabs pork spareribs (about 8 pounds total)

For the barbecue sauce: 

6 ounces bacon, diced  

2 medium onions, finely chopped 

5 cloves garlic, minced  

2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves 

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

1 tablespoon ancho or New Mexican chile powder 

1 teaspoon ground cumin 

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper  

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 

1 cup brewed coffee 

2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar 

2 tablespoons yellow mustard  

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 

2 tablespoons cider vinegar, plus more to taste 

1 cup ketchup 

Few dashes hot sauce, such as Tabasco, plus more to taste 

3 fresh or 2 dried bay leaves 

Kosher salt 

Equipment: Large, rimmed baking sheet; flat metal cooling rack 

Prepare the rub and bake the ribs: In a small bowl, combine the garlic, salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chile powder, black pepper, sage, thyme, dry mustard, cumin, coriander, ginger, and cayenne pepper if using. Generously coat the ribs with the rub then wrap each slab in a double layer of plastic wrap and let them sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours. DO AHEAD: To develop maximum flavor, place the ribs, coated in the rub, in the refrigerator and chill at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. 

 

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. If you have a flat metal cooling rack, arrange it in the baking sheet and place the ribs, bone side down, on the rack. If you don't have a rack, place the ribs, bone side down, directly on the foil-lined baking sheet. Bake the ribs until the meat is tender and starting to pull away from the bones, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. At this point, the ribs are ready to be served, but we recommend taking the time to finish them on the grill (or in the broiler), while glazing with homemade barbecue sauce. DO AHEAD: Ribs can be baked ahead of time and kept, wrapped in foil, at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours, before finishing them on the grill. 

 

While the ribs are baking, make the barbecue sauce: In a heavy, medium saucepan over moderately low heat, cook the bacon until the fat renders and the bacon starts to brown, about 10 minutes—do not let the bacon get crispy. Add the onions and continue cooking, covered and stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, sage, and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Add the smoked paprika, chile powder, cumin, black pepper, and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the coffee, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar and stir well to combine. Raise the heat to moderate and bring the sauce to a boil, scraping the saucepan with a wooden spoon to remove any browned bits from the bottom. Add the ketchup, hot sauce, and bay leaves, then lower the heat to moderately low and simmer the sauce until it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but isn't as thick as ketchup, about 30 minutes. Taste the sauce and add more vinegar or hot sauce to taste and season with salt and pepper. Remove and discard the bay leaves. DO AHEAD: BBQ sauce can be made ahead and stored, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, up to 2 weeks. Warm the sauce gently on the stove before using. 

 

Grill the ribs: While the barbecue sauce is simmering, prepare your grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-high heat: If using a charcoal grill, open the vents on the bottom of the grill and light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood). When the coals are covered with white-gray ash (about 20 to 30 minutes later), spread them out on the grill's bottom rack, leaving a space to one side that is equal to the size of the food to be grilled so that it can be moved there in the case of flare-ups. Test the heat of the charcoal by holding your hand 5 inches above the coals for about 3 seconds for medium-high heat. If the charcoal is too hot, continue to let it burn until it reaches medium-high. 

If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, covered, for 10 minutes, then adjust the heat to medium-high.

Depending on the size of your grill, place 1 or 2 slabs, bone side down, over the heat and brush the fat-covered side generously with barbecue sauce. Grill the ribs, covered, for 2 minutes. Flip the slab over, brush the bone side with sauce, and grill, covered, until the sauce on the fat-covered side is caramelized and lightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the slab over and continue grilling, covered, until the sauce on the bone side is caramelized and lightly charred, 1 minute. Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and let them rest for 10 minutes. If necessary, repeat the grilling and glazing process with the second slab of ribs. Cut between the ribs and serve immediately with plenty of barbecue sauce on the side.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Bruce Aidells, Epicurious, June 2013

2818. POT ROAST studded with ALMONDS and BACON

serves six


3 pounds (1.35 kg) brisket in one piece, trimmed of some of the fat

1½ tablespoons slivered almonds

8 ounces (225 g) bacon or ham, cut into small pieces

3 large ancho chiles, seeds and veins removed

1½ tablespoons mild vinegar

¾ cup (185 ml) water

3 whole cloves, crushed

½-inch (1.5 cm) piece of cinnamon stick, crushed

4 peppercorns, crushed

6 sprigs fresh thyme or 1½ teaspoon dried

6 sprigs fresh marjoram or 1½ teaspoon dried

¼ teaspoon dried mexican oregano, or ½ teaspoon dried oaxacan oregano

3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

3 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil

Salt to taste

1½ pounds (675 g) red bliss or new potatoes

 

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).

Pierce the meat all over with a knifepoint and insert the almonds and bacon. Set it aside while the sauce is prepared.

Toast the chiles lightly, turning them often so they won’t burn. Put the chiles into a bowl, cover with hot water, and leave them to soak for about 10 minutes.

Put the vinegar and water into the blender jar, add the spices, herbs, and garlic, and blend as smoothly as possible. Add the chiles and blend to a fairly smooth consistency.

Heat the lard in a Dutch oven and when it is very hot sear the meat well all over. Remove the meat and set it aside. Drain off the fat, leaving only 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add the sauce to the pan and let it cook fast for about 5 minutes, stirring it all the time. Add salt to taste.

Return the meat to the pan and baste it with the sauce. Cover the casserole with a tightly fitting lid and cook the meat in the oven for about 2 hours.

Put the potatoes, unskinned, into a saucepan, cover them with boiling water, and let boil fast for 5 minutes. Drain them and set them aside to cool. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, skin.

Remove the casserole from the oven, turn the meat over, and baste it well with the sauce. Scrape the sauce from the sides and bottom of the pan and add a little water if it has thickened too much.

Put the potatoes into the sauce around the meat, replace the lid, and let the meat cook until it is very tender, but not falling apart-test after 1 hour and 10 minutes. Slice the meat fairly thick and place it on a serving dish with the potatoes around it. Pour the sauce over it. 


bacon recipe courtesy of: Diana Kennedy, The Essential Cuisines of Mexico; Men's Fitness

2581. FLAGEOLETS with AUTUMN GREENS and FRESH BACON

serves six


1/4 pound fresh bacon
2 cups kosher salt mixed with 2 cups sugar
2 cups dried flageolet beans, soaked overnight and drained
1 carrot, halved
1 onion, quartered
1 whole head garlic, halved widthwise
1/4 cup dried apricots, roughly chopped
2 bay leaves
1 dried ancho chile
About 2 tablespoons fino sherry vinegar
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
A few leaves Tuscan kale
A few leaves black kale
A few leaves mustard greens
Good olive oil for drizzling

Pack the fresh bacon in the salt and sugar mixture, cover, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Rinse and pat dry, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes.

Combine the bacon, beans, carrot, onion, garlic, apricots, bay leaves, and chile in a pressure cooker and add cold water to come an inch above the beans. Fit the pressure cooker with the lid and raise the temperature to high until it starts to whistle. Reduce to the lowest setting and cook until the beans are creamy and cooked through, roughly 25 minutes. Remove the lid and adjust the seasoning with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Alternately, bring the ingredients to a boil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, covered, until the beans are thoroughly cooked through and creamy, roughly 1 3/4 hours. 

Remove the large aromatic vegetables, garlic, chile, and bay leaves from the pot and discard. They've done their flavoring job. Coarsely chop the greens or tear with your hands, then fold them into the beans. Simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the greens are tender.

Serve with warm crusty bread and a healthy dose of olive oil.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Seamus Mullen's Hero Food: How Cooking with Delicious Things Can Make Us Feel Better by Seamus Mullen

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

2215. APPLE-BACON BARBECUE SAUCE and MOP

yields enough sauce and mop for 2 racks St. Louis-style spareribs or 3 racks baby back ribs


1/4 lb. (4 to 5 slices) bacon
3/4 cup apple juice
5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika, preferably Hungarian
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-low heat until browned and crisp, 10 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain the bacon on paper towels and eat it whenever you like. Pour about one-half the bacon fat into a small saucepan and reserve the remaining fat in the skillet for the barbecue sauce. To the saucepan, add 1/2 cup of the apple juice and 2 Tbs. of the cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and then remove from the heat (this is the mop).

Add the remaining 1/4 cup apple juice, 3 Tbs. cider vinegar, and the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chile powder, paprika, cumin, celery seed, and pepper to the bacon fat in the skillet. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking until smooth. As soon as the barbecue sauce simmers, remove the skillet from the heat.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jamie Purviance, Fine Cooking, May 7, 2008

2157. MINI SLIDERS with BACON, PROVOLONE CHEESE SAUCE and CHIPOTLE SALSA

yields more than 8 servings


CHIPOTLE SALSA:
2 tablespoons coriander, ground
5 ancho chilies (deseeded)
2 dried chili peppers (boiled in water until soft)
salt to taste
vinegar to taste

MINI SLIDERS:
2 yellow onions, finely diced
5 1/2 pounds ground flank steak, keep chilled
3 pounds bacon, rendered three-fourths of the way, chilled
5 pounds ground chuck beef
3 pounds ground turkey
1 1/2 packages Ranch powder dressing
3 tablespoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

BUNS:
2 packages buns

CHEESE SAUCE:
Bechamel sauce
1 onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1 cup butter
1 cup all purpose flour
2 quarts cold milk
1 quart provolone cheese

CHIPOTLE SALSA:
2 onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cilantro
drizzle of oil
1 can chipotle
2 cans tomatoes
1 quart water
2 tablespoons cumin, ground

CHIPOTLE SALSA: Sauté onions with garlic, cilantro and oil. Add chipotle, tomatoes, and water. Toast cumin with coriander then add to sauce. Toast ancho chilies and add chili peppers. Cook for one hour. Puree in blender and adjust seasoning with salt and vinegar.

MINI SLIDERS: Sauté onions in butter until soft and translucent. Add salt to taste and chill over ice. Mix ingredients together. Form 1 ½-ounce balls to form 3/4-inch-thick patties and grill with cross hatch to desired temperature (medium is ideal).

BUNS: Toast buns.

CHEESE SAUCE: Add béchamel, onion and bay leaf; sauté in butter until translucent. Taste for flour (should not have flour taste). Cook 20 minutes until no color then whisk in cold milk. Cook for 20 to 30 more minutes. Finish with salt, a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of cayenne. Whisk in provolone cheese.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jennifer Biesty, Top Chef, Season 4, Episode 3, Bravo

1804. BEEF and WHEAT BERRY CHILI with BACON

serves eight


4 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 pounds boneless beef bottom round, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons ground ancho chile pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
salt
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with chiles
1 can (14 to 14 1/2 ounces) low-sodium beef broth, (1 3/4 cups)
2 1/2 cups water
1 cup wheat berries, rinsed
1 bottle (12 ounces) dark beer
2 slices bacon
1 bay leaf
sour cream (optional)
green onions (optional), sliced

In nonstick 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add half of beef and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally. With slotted spoon, transfer beef to large bowl. Repeat with 1 teaspoon oil and remaining beef.

In same Dutch oven, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat until hot. Add onions and cook 5 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in chile pepper, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook 1 minute. Return beef to Dutch oven; add tomatoes and broth. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.

Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, combine water, wheat berries, beer, bacon, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover and heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 1 1/2 hours. Drain wheat berries, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Discard bacon and bay leaf.

Stir wheat berries and reserved cooking water into Dutch oven with beef mixture. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until beef and wheat berries are tender. Serve chili with sour cream and green onions if you like.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Good Housekeeping.com

1367. BEEF CHILI with ANCHO, BACON, CUMIN and MOLE

makes 8 servings


Chili:
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
4 bacon slices, chopped
1 4-pound boneless chuck roast, trimmed, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
3 1/2 cups (or more) beef broth, divided
1/4 cup pure ancho chile powder
1/4 cup Texas-style chili powder blend (such as Gebhardt)
1 tablespoon mole paste
2 teaspoons (or more) salt
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
1 to 2 tablespoons masa (corn tortilla mix)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Garnishes:
warm, freshly cooked or drained canned black beans or pinto beans
chopped white, red, or green onions
grated cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or queso fresco
sliced fresh or pickled jalapeno chiles
tortilla chips or oyster crackers

For chili: Toast cumin seeds in heavy small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes. Cool; grind finely in spice mill or in mortar with pestle.

Sauté bacon in large pot over mediumhigh heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to large bowl. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. Working in 4 batches, sauté beef in drippings in pot until browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer beef and most drippings to bowl with bacon. Add onion and garlic to pot. Sauté until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup broth to pot. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Return beef, bacon, and any accumulated juices to pot. Mix in ancho chile powder, Texas-style chili powder, mole paste, 2 teaspoons salt, vinegar, oregano, and cumin seeds. Add 3 cups broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to very low and simmer gently uncovered until beef is very tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth by 1/2 cupfuls if chili is dry, about 2 1/2 hours. Mix in masa by teaspoonfuls to thicken chili or add more broth by 1/4 cupfuls to thin. Season chili with salt, pepper, and cayenne, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over low heat.


courtesy of: Cheryl Alters Jamison and Bill Jamison, Bon Appétit February 2009

1331. BACON-WRAPPED TURKEY BREAST with HAZELNUT MOLE

yields 12 servings


1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 large garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons adobo sauce from canned chipotles
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 2-pound skinless boneless turkey breast halves


2 pounds applewood-smoked bacon slices
Hazelnut Mole (recipe below)
Chopped fresh parsley

Combine first 9 ingredients in processor; blend until marinade is almost smooth. Rub marinade all over turkey breast halves. Place turkey in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish; pour remaining marinade over. Cover and chill overnight.

Remove turkey from marinade, allowing some marinade to cling to turkey. Sprinkle turkey with salt and pepper. Place 1 pound bacon slices side by side on work surface, overlapping slightly. Place 1 turkey breast half, rounded side down, atop bacon. Wrap bacon around turkey breast, stretching slices slightly to cover turkey. Secure with toothpicks to hold bacon in place, then tie with kitchen string to secure bacon. Remove toothpicks. Repeat with second turkey breast half and remaining bacon. Place turkey breasts on large rimmed baking sheet. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill.)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place turkey in oven and roast 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of turkey registers 155°F, about 35 minutes. Remove from oven; let turkey rest 15 minutes (internal temperature will reach 162°F).

Cut turkey breasts crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Ladle generous amount of Hazelnut Mole on large platter. Arrange turkey slices atop mole; sprinkle with parsley and serve.


Hazelnut Mole

makes about 8 cups


6 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 large garlic cloves, peeled
8 ounces hazelnuts with skin (about 2 cups)
1 1/2 large ripe plantains, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
1 1/2 pounds Red Delicious apples, peeled, quartered, cored
1 medium-size white onion, thickly sliced
13 dried guajillo chiles (about 2.5 ounces), stemmed, cut open, seeds and veins removed
3 dried ancho chiles (about 1.5 ounces), stemmed, cut open, seeds and veins removed
3/4 cup prunes (about 4 ounces)
7 whole cloves
6 whole allspice
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon aniseed
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
2 5- to 6-inch-diameter corn tortillas
9 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Heat oil in large deep nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic to skillet; sauté 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer garlic to large bowl. Add hazelnuts to skillet; sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl with garlic. Add plantains and sauté until light golden, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to same bowl. Add apples; sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to same bowl. Sauté onion until golden, about 3 minutes; transfer to same bowl (no oil will remain in skillet). Working in batches, sauté a few chiles at a time in same dry skillet, 10 seconds per side; transfer to same bowl. Sauté prunes 2 minutes; transfer to same bowl. Add all spices to skillet and stir 30 seconds. Transfer to same bowl.

Using tongs, turn tortillas over gas flame or in dry skillet over medium-high heat until black spots appear on both sides, about 1 minute. Crumble tortillas into same bowl. Add 9 cups broth to bowl; press down on all ingredients to submerge. Let soak 20 minutes.

Working in batches, puree contents of bowl in blender, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if needed, until almost smooth. Transfer to heavy large pot and bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer mole 1 hour 45 minutes, stirring often and adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls as needed to prevent scorching. (Mole will be very thick and will measure about 8 cups.) Stir in vinegar. Season mole generously with salt. (Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover and chill.)


courtesy of: Roberto Santibañez, Bon Appétit, December 2005

1317. SHORT RIB CHILI with BACON-WRAPPED TENDERLOIN TIPS

serves 6 to 8


FOR CHILI
6 pounds bone-in short rib
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
1 large carrot
1 large onion
3 celery stalks
1 head garlic, split
3 ancho chilis, seeded
1 tablespoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cans beef stock
8 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2 cups red wine
1 tablespoon brown sugar

FOR BACON-WRAPPED TENDERLOIN
18 each, 2 oz tenderloin tips
18 each, slices of thinly cut smoked bacon
1 tablespoon blended oil
Salt and pepper to taste

FOR GARNISH
1/2 cup queso fresco or cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 bunch scallion (green and white separated)
1/2 cup cilantro

TO MAKE CHILI: Season short rib with salt, pepper and chili powder. In a braising pan heat oil, sear all sides of the short ribs, and remove. Add onion, carrots and celery to pan and roast till caramelized. Add garlic and chilies and cook an additional 5 minutes. Sprinkle all roasted vegetables with brown sugar and deglaze with red wine and beef stock. Add Worcestershire and place seared meat in the pan and cover.

Cook in 300-degree oven for 2 1/2 hours. Remove from oven--meat should be falling off the bone. With a ladle, remove any fat from the pan and ribs. Place ribs on a plate, and begin shredding into pieces once they're cool enough to handle. Strain remaining sauce from roasting pan and reduce by half in a skillet over medium-high flame. Once reduced, fold meat into sauce and season to taste.

TO MAKE BACON-WRAPPED TENDERLOIN: Wrap each tenderloin tip with a piece of bacon. Season with salt and pepper, and, in a sauté pan, cook the meat to desired wellness and until bacon is crisp.

TO ASSEMBLE: Place chili in a bowl and top with 3 tenderloin slices. Garnish each bowl with cheese, cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and scallions.


courtesy of: Todd English, Epicurious.com, January 4, 2008

1145. CHERRY BACON and DUCK TAMALES with SWEET CHERRY-ANCHO VEGETABLE RELISH

yields 12 servings


SWEET CHERRY ANCHO RELISH:
4½ dry ancho peppers
1½ lbs. frozen sweet cherries
3 cups carrots, diced
3 cups corn
3 bunches scallions
4½ tablespoons vegetable oil

DUCK MEAT AND SPICES:
4 quarts chicken stock
6 legs duck (2 lb. average)
2 lbs. cherry hardwood bacon
¼ cup corn oil
¼ cup rendered bacon fat (from the 2 lbs. bacon above)
3 tablespoons garlic powder
1½ tablespoons ground cumin
4 tablespoons dark chili powder
½ tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon table salt

MASA AND SPICES:
2 lb. bag corn masa
3 tablespoons sea salt
½ tablespoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons dark chili powder
3 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons garlic powder
2 cups corn oil
24 corn shucks (husks)
1 bunch fresh chives

For the relish: Slice open peppers, remove seeds and toast on griddle until you see light wisps of smoke. Place peppers in water and soak until they become fleshy (about 30 minutes). Remove and scrape the flesh from the skin with a spoon; reserve flesh and discard skin. Slack sweet cherries to room temperature and drain in a colander, reserving liquid. In sauté pan over medium high heat, cook carrots, corn and scallions in vegetable oil until fork tender. Add peppers and evenly combine. Add sweet cherries and half their liquid. Bring to boil and simmer until it thickens. Reserve to serve with tamales.

For the duck: Bring chicken stock to a boil and cook duck legs for 40-60 minutes. Allow legs to cook slightly; reserve stock for the masa. Cut bacon strips into 2-in. pieces and then render (not too crispy); reserve rendered bacon fat. Reserve 1 cup cooked bacon for garnish. Remove skin from duck legs and discard; pull off duck meat and shred it.

Mix ¼ cup corn oil, ¼ cup rendered bacon fat, and duck spices (garlic powder through table salt) in sauté pan and warm over low heat (do not cook). Pour warmed mixture over duck and remaining bacon in a medium bowl; toss until completely coated. Refrigerate duck mixture until ready to fill tamales.

For the masa: Bring reserved stock to warm temperature over low heat (do not boil). Place masa in a separate, large bowl and mix in masa spices (sea salt through garlic powder) until fully incorporated. Add 2 cups of corn oil and begin to slowly work in 2 qts. of stock, about 1 cup at a time, working mixture by hand to make the dough. (If mixture is too dry, continue to add broth 1 cup at a time until it is spreadable like thick peanut butter; if it is too thin, add more masa.)

Soak corn shucks in warm water for 1 hour or until soft. Carefully separate and pat shucks with paper towel. Fill each with ½ cup of masa mixture. Cover the bottom ⅔ of each shuck, leaving uncovered the top ⅓ and ½-in. along one side. Lay shucks out on sheet pan or cutting board as you go. Evenly cover the masa with about 2-3 Tbsps. of seasoned bacon and duck mixture. Starting on the side where the masa goes to the edge, roll the tamales all the way to the opposite side and fold the empty part over the top like an envelope, leaving tamales flap side folded under (you may flatten tamales, if desired, at this point).

Cook tamales fold-side down, packed horizontally in a steamer, maintaining about 3 cups of water for 45 to 90 minutes, or until the masa is just firm and not raw (do not allow water to boil away). When done, remove tamales and cool on sheet pan or serve immediately. Chill or freeze finished tamales in plastic wrap for later use (may be reheated in a steamer or microwave).

Blanch 1 bunch fresh chives, then use as ribbons for tying around each tamale. TO SERVE: Sprinkle each plate with reserved crushed bacon. Add 2 tamales and garnish with cherry ancho relish.


courtesy of: Jones Dairy Farm/National Sweet Cherry Growers Industry Foundation

1069. SLAB BACON in HOT-PEPPER-and-BROWN-LOAF-SUGAR ADOBO

serves 6 to 8


1 piece (4 pounds) meaty slab bacon or pork belly, rinsed and pat dry
18 dried Andean panca peppers or a combination of equal parts dried mirasol and panca peppers (or a combination of Mexican dried ancho and guajillo chiles), stemmed and seeded
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 large cloves garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon aniseed
1/2 teaspoon Spanish hot paprika
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed bitter orange juice, such as from Seville oranges, or 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons guava preserve or 1 tablespoon Catalan wild oak honey
1/4 cup Oloroso sherry
1/2 cup grated brown loaf sugar, preferably Mexican piloncillo or Columbian panela or dark muscovado sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt

Score the slab bacon on the meat side; set aside.

Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add dried peppers to skillet and toast lightly for 3 to 4 seconds on each side. Transfer toasted chiles to a medium bowl. Cover with hot water and let stand until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer peppers to the jar of a blender or bowl of a food processor, along with olive oil, garlic, cumin, oregano, aniseed, paprika, orange juices, guava preserves or honey, sherry, brown loaf sugar, and salt; blend until smooth.

Place bacon in a 2-inch deep baking pan. Pour the chile mixture over bacon and rub thoroughly until fully coated. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate at least 6 hours and up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in the center. Remove plastic wrap from baking dish and add 1/4 cup water to dish. Cover baking dish tightly with parchment paper-lined aluminum foil. Transfer baking dish to oven and bake for 1 hour. Continue baking and basting bacon, until golden brown and fork tender, about 20 minutes more.

Transfer bacon to a large cutting board and cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces. Serve immediately with Guatemalan red cabbage relish or Mendoza's fresh corn polenta; garnish with cacao nibs, if desired.


courtesy of: Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama Restaurant, 233 Clinton Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030

893. BACON and BEAN CHILI

serves 3


4 slices bacon
4 tablespoons sofrito
2 frozen ice cubes
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon chile powder ancho
14 1/2 ounces tomatoes chunky diced
15 ounces black beans canned
15 1/2 ounces kidney beans canned, light red
3/4 cup corn canned, drained
cheese cheddar — grated

Start by heating a large pot over medium-low heat. The 4 slices of bacon are held over the pot, without separating them, and sliced into about ½ inch slices with kitchen scissors. When all the bacon is in the pot, cook gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When the bacon has rendered its fat and it is getting crispy, remove the pieces to a paper-towel-lined plate. Cover with another piece of paper towel and set aside. All but 2 teaspoons of bacon fat are poured out of the pot into an empty metal can. Add the sofrito. Start to break up the cubes with a wooden spoon. Cook for a couple of minutes until it is defrosted and fragrant.

Next, add the cumin and ancho chile powder and stir. Open the cans of tomatoes and beans and add the tomatoes to the pot. Strain and rinse the beans and add these to the pot along with the corn. Raise the heat to medium and bring the chili to a boil. When the mixture is boiling, lower the heat, partially cover it, and cook for about 15 minutes to meld the flavors.

Serve our chili with grated cheese, the bacon, and chips.


courtesy of: Triple "E" Cooks, a Family Cookbook, Chris and Robin Strom, Baltimore, Maryland

856. ANCHO CHILE SAUCE with BACON

3/4 cup ancho chile powder
3 cloves of garlic crushed and peeled
4 slices of bacon cooked until crispy, and broken into small pieces
1 small vidalia onion chopped
1 teaspoon dried cumin
1 teaspoon sugar
salt to taste

Boil 2 cups of water and cool for 3 minutes. Stir in chile powder with a fork and form a thin paste - let sit for 30 minutes. Combine chile paste, garlic, onion bacon bots and sugar and blend until smooth. Thin with more water if sauce is too thick.
Pour sauce into large sauce pan heat over a medium flame and add cumin, and season with salt to taste. Warm for 10 minutes over low heat stirring frequently - do not boil. Serve hot or cool


courtesy of: Chilefire.com: A Spice Blog

685. PORK and HOMINY CHILI with BACON

serves 8


4 slices smoked bacon
2 pounds lean pork shoulder, cut into cubes
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups chicken broth
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) hominy, drained
6 dried ancho chiles
2 cups canned or cooked corn kernels

In a large Dutch oven or heavy kettle over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside to drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat; add pork cubes. Cook and stir until pork is browned.

Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is tender. Crumble bacon and add to pork mixture along with chili powder, oregano, cumin, chicken broth and hominy. Bring to a boil.

Wash ancho peppers; remove stems and seeds. Cut up and add to pork mixture. Simmer for 2 to 3 hours, adding more chicken broth or water if needed. Add corn and heat through. Serve with flour tortillas.


courtesy of: Diana Rattray, Southern Food & Crockpot Recipes About.com