3097. SWISS CHARD and BACON-WRAPPED PORK GAYETTES

makes 16 gayettes


2 cups cooked Swiss chard leaves
1 large leaf sorrel (optional)
1 cup chopped white portions of leeks or onions
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
salt and freshly ground pepper
4 tablespoons beef consomme
1 package unflavored gelatin
1/2 lb. chicken or pork liver
2 lb. ground pork, half lean and half fat
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon crushed bay leaf
4 slices bacon

Squeeze chard, and chop with sorrel (if available). Stew the leeks or onions in the oil and butter until wilted, 5-10 minutes. Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds, mix in chard, and cook over high heat, stirring constantly, until moisture is evaporated. Season with salt and pepper, set aside. Heat consomme and dissolve gelatin in it; set aside. Finely chop or grind liver, add to pork along with all the spices, consomme, and chard; mix thoroughly. (Saute a small amount, taste, and correct seasonings if necessary.)

Chill the mixture; then form into either 2-3-inch balls or thick patties. Place on a buttered baking pan. Cut bacon strips into 16 pieces and place one on each gayette. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 35-45 minutes, turning once, if desired.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Victory Garden Cookbook, by Marian Morash, p. 308; Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1982

2859. BEEF and BACON BUNDLES with WORCESTERSHIRE GRAVY

serves eight


8 slices smoky, black pepper bacon
8 slices beef round (about 1 3/4 pounds), pounded very thin
Kosher salt and coarse black pepper
1 onion, very finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
1 bundle flat leaf or curly parsley, chopped
toothpicks
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups beef consommé or stock
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 pounds thin-skinned potatoes, halved or quartered
1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut in half

Bake the bacon on a slotted pan at 375ºF until lightly crisped, about 10 minutes. Remove and cool to handle. Season the thin beefsteaks with salt and pepper. Arrange a slice of bacon on each and top each with a small handful of onion, a pinch of garlic and some parsley. Roll and secure each bundle with a toothpick. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat. Brown the meat bundles evenly; remove to a plate. Add another tablespoon butter to the pan and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk for 1 minute, then whisk in the consommé or stock, milk and Worcestershire sauce. Add the meat back to the pan and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover and simmer for 75-90 minutes, until tender. Boil the potatoes in salted water to tender, 15 minutes. In the last 5 minutes, add the green beans to the pot to cook along with the potatoes. Remove the meat bundles to a platter. Remove the toothpicks and drizzle a little gravy over top. Toss the drained potatoes and beans with the remaining gravy and serve alongside the the beef bundles.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rachael Ray.com, November 9, 2012

2047. NAVY BEANS with BACON

yields ten servings


1 lb. navy beans
¼ lb. bacon, toasted and drained
1 diced onion
1 hambone, chopped in squares
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup molasses or maple syrup
1 teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1- ⅓ oz. package beef consomme

Wash the beans and soak overnight. The following day, add the beef consomme and cook in a pressure cooker. When the pot starts to whistle, turn off and let cool. Save 1 cup of bean broth and drain rest.

Combine the drained beans, bacon and onion in a pot. In the cup of bean broth, mix the molasses (or syrup), brown sugar, mustard powder, salt and pepper.

Pour into a baking pan and bake at 300 degrees F for 2½ hours, stirring once in a while. If necessary, add a little more bean broth.

Serve with white rice and salad.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Leah Matalon, Hudson, Ohio, for TasteBook