3750. MESQUITE-SMOKED JALAPENO CHEESE BACON-WRAPPED HOT DOGS

yields four stuffed hot dogs

4 100% all beef hot dogs

2 slices of cheddar cheese 

A large jalapeno pepper, sliced cross-wise slightly thicker than paper-thin, seeds removed
8 slices of thick bacon
1⁄2 large red onion, cut between the root and top (do not remove the root before grilling), and cut in half
wooden toothpicks (approximately 4 per hot dog)
hot dog buns
mesquite wood chips
Foil drip pan to fit under the grate OR a homemade drip pan made from heavy duty foil 

condiments, your preference 

Heat the gas grill to high until the grill temperature gauge registers temperature to 300 degrees. 

Preparing the stuffed hot dogs: Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut the length of each hot dog almost all the way through. Cut the cheddar slices so that they are the length of the hot dog and stick up over the top only slightly; insert a double layer of the cheese slices. Cut the jalapeno slices in half or thirds to allow the 1⁄4 of the slices to fit between the slices of cheese inside the hot dog. 

Wrapping the hot dog with bacon: Hold one end of a piece of bacon across one stuffed end of a hot dog.Securethebaconby inserting a toothpick through the end of the bacon through the hot dog and through the bacon on the opposite side of the hot dog. Holding the bacon strip taut, wrap the bacon slice around the hot dog, slightly overlapping the prior wrap to cover. Insert toothpicks to secure as needed (approximately 4 per hot dog). For a regular size hot dog, two strips of bacon will be required. 

Once at temperature, turn off all burners except one on the outside of the grill (based on a 4 burner grill). Clean the side of the grill with burners off with a wire brush. On this same side, carefully lift the hot grate with grill tools and deposit the drip pan underneath the clean grate. Rub the grate with oil and a folded paper towel. 

Place a piece of heavy duty foil over the ignited burner and add a few handfuls of mesquite wood chip on top of the foil. Once the chips begin to smoke, add the prepared hot dogs to the clean, oiled grill (with burners of) and close the grill. Check the grill periodically, ensuring a 300 degree temperature and adding more mesquite chips as needed to keep the smoke going. Hot dogs will be cooked in 25-30 minutes and will have a golden hue as well as the bacon will become hard (not crisp in the traditionally way). If desired add hot dog buns to the grill for a few minutes to warm and get grill marks. 

Grilling the Red Onion: After the hot dogs have been smoking for 15 minutes, lightly brush the cut sides of the 2 quarters of the onion and place on the side of the grill with the mesquite chips (over the ignited burner). The root left intact will hold the onion together until after it has grilled. Check frequently, until the onion softens, the color becomes lighter and grill marks appear. Remove after about 10 minutes. Allow the onion to cool until able to be handled, but off the root end and slice to add to the hot dog. 

bacon recipe source: Toni Dash, Boulder Locavore (@BoulderLocavore), Colorado, July 5, 2015

3737. AGED BEEMSTER and SMOKED BACON BURGER with FRENCH FRIES

serves four

Burger Patties

1 tablespoons canola oil

1½ lbs lean ground beef, rolled into 4 (6-oz) balls

4 slices double-smoked bacon

Salt and pepper, to taste

8 slices aged Beemster

4 brioche buns

1 tablespoon (15 mL) butter

8 slices hot banana peppers

4 leaves Boston lettuce

¼ cup mayonnaise

French Fries

2 lbs russet potatoes, washed, skin on

A deep fryer or pot of canola oil set to 325ºF

Salt, to taste

Burger Patties: Add canola oil to a cast iron frying pan on medium high heat and add two 6-oz balls of ground beef to the pan. Add the double smoked bacon to the same pan and using a spatula press down the chuck to flatten them into a patty shape. Add a generous amount of ground salt and pepper and flip the burgers over, cook for 3 minutes per side. Add sliced Beemster to the warm burger and top with the crispy bacon. Toast the brioche buns in the oven with a touch of butter. To finish the burgers add your favourite toppings, my choice would be hot banana peppers, mayonnaise and Boston lettuce. Repeat with remaining patties.

French Fries: Cut potatoes into even and uniform pieces, about 3-inch x ¼-inch. Soak fries in the cold water for about 30 minutes. This removes some of the excess starch and surface sugars which can burn in the frying process. Drain french fries from the water, and pat dry to remove excess water. Heat a heavy stockpot fitted with a deep-fry thermometer with oil to 325ºF. Carefully, add 2 handfuls of fries to hot oil. There should be at least 1-inch of oil above the French fries. Blanch until fries are light brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove fries, gently shaking off excess oil and let drain on rack. Repeat until all of the potatoes are blanched. Raise heat of oil to 350ºF. Cook French fries again, 2 handfuls at a time, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from oil, shake off excess oil, lightly season in a bowl with salt. Repeat until all potatoes are cooked.

bacon recipe source: Craig Harding, Chef in Your Ear, Food Network Canada

3538. JALAPENO EGG BURGER with BACON AIOLI

serves four

Jalapeno egg burger:

4 (1/4 pound) hamburger patties

seasoning salt

4 eggs

2 tablespoons butter

1 jalapeno, sliced

4 hamburger buns

Bacon aioli:

3 slices bacon 

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

1 tablespoon lemon juice 

1 tablespoon olive oil 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

salt and pepper

Make aioli first. Cook bacon over medium heat until cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cool. Once cool dice into small pieces. 

In a bowl whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Stir in bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 

Season both sides of hamburger patties with seasoning salt. Cook until cooked through. 

While hamburgers are cooking, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook eggs 1-2 minutes on each side, white should be set but yolk soft. 

Toast hamburger buns. 

To assemble a burger: Place hamburger on bottom bun, top with fried egg and sliced jalapenos. Spread bacon aioli on top bun. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve.

bacon recipe source: Deseree Kazda, Life's Ambrosia (@LifesAmbrosia), February 2015

3500. WESTERN BACON BURGERS with BBQ MAYO and CRISPY ONION STRINGS

serves four 


1 pound ground beef
½ white onion
2 cups buttermilk
½ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅓ cup BBQ sauce
⅓ cup mayo
1 avocado, sliced
8 slices of bacon, cooked til crisp
4 hamburger buns
optional: lettuce and cheese

Thinly slice onion. (The slices should be thin enough that you should be able to see the knife through the end of the onion where you're slicing). Place onion slices in a shallow dish and pour buttermilk over the onions. Move them around so they are all in the buttermilk, but they don't have to be completely covered. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. (Use this time to cook your bacon or slice your avocados!)

In bowl combine flour, salt, garlic power, paprika, and cayenne pepper and wish until well mixed. Dip the onions in the flour mixture, tossing to coat. Put them all in a bowl.

Fill a pan with ½ inch of oil. Preheat oil to 300 degrees. Use tong to place coated onions in the hot oil. After about 30-40 seconds, turn them over once and cook another 30-40 seconds. Place fried onions on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Preheat grill. Shape ground beef into 4 equal sized patties. Grill burgers 4-5 minutes on each side until desired doneness is reached.

Whisk together mayo and bbq sauce. Spread some bbq mayo on the inner sides of hamburger buns. Top with grilled hamburgers, avocados, bacon, and fried onions. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Tiffany, Creme de la Crumb (@CremedelaCrumb1), July 11, 2014

3268. SIRLOIN SLIDERS with CRISPY BACON and CREAMY HORSERADISH MAYO

yields 12 mini hamburgers, 4 to 6 servings


3/4 pound ground chuck

3/4 pound ground sirloin
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup minced onion
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
12 dinner roll-sized small brioche buns, split in 1/2 crosswise
2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing buns
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained, and broken into 2-inch pieces

 

In a mixing bowl, combine the chuck, sirloin, garlic, onion, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper and mix gently but thoroughly to combine. Using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop, divide the mixture into 12 scant 2-ounce balls of meat. Using your hands, shape to form small patties about 3 inches wide and 3/8-inch thick. Place on a plate and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit, refrigerated, at least 1 hour and up to overnight for flavors to mingle.

In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and horseradish and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Place in a nonreactive bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days in advance.

When you are ready to cook the burgers, preheat a grill to high and lightly butter the cut sides of the buns with the melted butter. Wrap the buns in aluminum foil and place on the coolest part of the grill to warm while you grill the burgers.

Grill the burgers about 2 minutes per side for medium. Transfer to the warmed buns and garnish with pieces of the crispy bacon. Spoon a dollop of the horseradish mayonnaise on top of the bacon, then place the top portion of the bun over all. Serve the sliders hot.

bacon recipe source: Emeril Lagasse, "Tailgate," The Essence of Emeril, Food Network

3222. BBQ BACON CHICKEN BURGER

yields four burgers

 

 

1 lb. ground chicken breast

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup barbecue sauce

6 slices cooked bacon

4 hamburger buns

1 onion, sliced

barbecue sauce for topping

Swiss cheese for topping

 

In a large bowl, combine chicken, BBQ sauce, paprika, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper. Mix and form 4 patties. Preheat your grill cook the burgers until fully cooked through. While burgers are cooking, fry up some bacon slices in a medium skillet. Once the bacon is cooked remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon grease and cook your onions. Add a pinch of salt and saute until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Before you remove your burgers toast your buns on the grill. While buns are toasting top burgers with Swiss cheese. Allow it to melt then remove from grill and top it with caramelized onions, BBQ sauce, bacon and fresh romaine.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Natasha, That's So Yummy, June 18, 2013

3219. PORK BURGERS with BACON MARMALADE

yields four servings


4 slices bacon, chopped

1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon hot sauce, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/4 pounds ground pork
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
1 romaine lettuce heart, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes (1 sliced, 1 chopped)

 

Make the bacon marmalade: Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until almost crisp, 5 minutes. Pour out half of the drippings, add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the onion browns, 10 more minutes (add a splash of water if the onion sticks). Stir in the hot sauce, sugar, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

Form the pork into four 4-inch-wide patties; season with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the patties and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, topping each with a slice of cheese about 3 minutes before they're done.

Spread the bacon marmalade on the bun bottoms and top each with some lettuce, a patty, a tomato slice and a bun top.

Drizzle the remaining lettuce and the chopped tomato with olive oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper; toss. Serve with the burgers.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Food Network Kitchens, Food Network Magazine

3002. BEEF, BARBECUE PULLED PORK and BACON BURGERS (a.k.a. Filthy Burgers)

yields between 6 and 8 burgers, depending on size 

1/2 pound of bacon, cooked until crisp through, drained and crumbled

2 cups fully cooked barbecue pulled pork roughly chopped with a knife

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck

kosher salt

For serving:

toasted burger buns

tender lettuce (like mixed spring greens or butter lettuce)

slices of pepperjack or Monterey jack cheese

barbecue sauce

Mix together the ground chuck, pulled pork, and bacon until everything is evenly distributed. 

For the most uniform burgers, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add 5 ounces of the meat mixture to a ring mold and gently press it into the edges of the mold forming a uniformly thick burger patty. Gently pull the ring mold straight up and tap down any edges that come up with it. Replace the ring mold on the parchment next to the burger and form another until all the meat mixture has been pressed into patties.

Place the tray with the burgers in the refrigerator while you preheat the grill to MEDIUM HIGH heat. After cleaning the hot grill, gently place the burgers over direct heat and sprinkle with kosher salt. Keep a spray bottle of water handy for flare-ups. Do not move the burgers once you've placed them on the grill until the brown (cooked) area goes at least halfway up the burger and you can easily slide your spatula under them, about 4 minutes. If there are flames flaring up because of fat from the burger, give them a little spritz with water. That should help long enough to cook the burger to the point where it will turn more easily. Flip the burgers carefully and continue grilling over MEDIUM HIGH heat until there are grill marks on the underside of the burger. Transfer the burgers over to one side of the grill and shut off the burners immediately under the burgers, turning the remaining burners onto MEDIUM LOW heat. This means your burgers will finish over indirect heat. When the interior temperature of the beef is 5°F below the point you like it (RARE: 125-130°F. MEDIUM: 140-150. WELL: 160-212°F.), lay the slices of pepperjack cheese on the burgers and use a spatula to immediately transfer them to a sided tray. Let them rest, lightly tented with foil, until the cheese is melted. Serve on top of tender greens on a toasted bun with as much barbecue sauce as you fancy!

bacon recipe courtesy of: Rebecca Lindamood, Foodie with Family, May 31, 2013

2954. STEAMED BACON BUNS with HOISIN

makes four servings 


1/2 pound thick-cut smoky bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces 
sixteen 1/8-inch-thick coins peeled fresh ginger 
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 
1/4 cup mirin 
1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar 
2 tablespoons sugar 
1 tablespoon soy sauce 
One 16.3-ounce tube buttermilk biscuit dough (8 biscuits)
hoisin sauce, Sriracha, sliced scallions, sliced radishes and bread-and-butter pickles, for serving 

In a large skillet, cook the bacon and ginger over moderately high heat, turning the bacon once, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Spoon off all of the fat in the skillet. Add the chicken broth, mirin, vinegar, sugar and soy sauce to the skillet and simmer over very low heat, turning the bacon occasionally, until it is tender and the liquid is reduced to a syrupy glaze, about 10 minutes. Cover and keep warm.

Meanwhile, fill a roasting pan with 2 inches of water and set 4 ramekins in the corners of the pan. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with vegetable oil spray. Arrange the biscuits in the baking pan and set it on top of the ramekins in the roasting pan, over the water. Cover the roasting pan very tightly with foil and bring to a boil over high heat. Steam the biscuits until fluffy and cooked through, about 8 minutes. 

Carefully split each biscuit with your fingers and arrange them on a platter; spread the bottoms with hoisin sauce and Sriracha and top with the glazed bacon. Drizzle each bun with some of the glaze and garnish with sliced scallions, radishes and pickles. Close the buns and serve right away.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Grace Parisi, Food & Wine, February 2013

2948. HOT DOGS with PINEAPPLE BACON RELISH

1/4 pound thick cut bacon
1/2 large red onion, chopped, about 1 cup
2 cups finely chopped fresh pineapple (about 10 oz)
1/4 cup chopped sweet pickles
1 tablespoon sweet pickle juice
8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns

Place the strips of bacon in a skillet on medium heat. Slowly cook the bacon, turning the strips over occasionally until much of the fat is rendered and the bacon is lightly browned. Remove the bacon strips to a paper towel lined plate.

Pour off all but a teaspoon of the bacon fat (do this into a jar, do not pour down the drain or you will clog your pipes). Increase the heat to medium high and add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. While the onions are cooking, finely chop the cooled bacon strips.

In a large bowl stir to combine the bacon, onion, pineapple, and sweet pickles. Mix in a tablespoon of sweet pickle juice. You can make ahead at this point, chill until ready to serve with the hot dogs.

Heat the hot dogs your favorite way. The hot dogs are already cooked when you buy them, so all you really need to do is heat them through. Over a grill, grill for about 5 minutes on a medium flame, until lightly browned, and toast the buns for a minute if you wish. Or, put the dogs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes. Or, pierce the hot dogs all over with a fork and put on a plate in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds per hot dog.

Place a hot dog in a bun and top with a couple spoonfuls of relish.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes, September 7, 2012

2874. PACIFIC COAST SALMON ROLLS with BACON and FENNEL TARTAR SAUCE

yields two servings


3 rashers bacon
1/2 bulb fennel, cored and trimmed
250 grams sockeye salmon fillet, no bones or skin
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt and pepper
buns
lettuce
red onion

Preheat the oven to 375° F.

Cut the bacon into ¼ strips and dice the fennel. Toss the bacon and fennel together in a small pan, and cook, stirring 3-4 times for 30 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the fennel tender, but not brown.

Drain the bacon and fennel mixture on paper toweling. When completely cool, stir the mixture into the mayonnaise along with the cilantro and lemon juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cut the salmon into 1 to 2” cubes, toss with the olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper.

In the bottom of a double boiler with a steamer insert, bring about 1” of water to the boil. Place the salmon in the steamer, ensuring no pieces overlap. Cover, reduce the heat to med. and steam for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the salmon is firm to the touch and just before beads of white fat appear on its surface (see note). Remove to a plate and cool completely.

Serve on soft rolls with lettuce, red onion and plenty of tartar sauce.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Theresa Carle-Sanders, Island Vittles: Quick Bites from Pender Island, BC, August 28, 2012

2862. FULLY LOADED BACON-WRAPPED HOT DOGS

yields four servings


4 hot dogs with about 40 calories and 1g fat or less each

4 slices center-cut bacon
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced red bell pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced into strips (not rings)
2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise
4 light hot dog buns
4 teaspoons yellow mustard

 

Carefully break 4 toothpicks in half. Wrap each hot dog in a strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick half at each end. Set aside.

 

Bring a large skillet or grill pan sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove.

Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Remove from the skillet/pan and set aside.

Remove the skillet/pan from heat, re-spray, and bring to medium heat. Add bacon-wrapped hot dogs and cook until bacon is crisp and fully cooked and hot dogs are heated through, about 6 minutes, rotating the hot dogs several times to evenly cook the bacon. Set aside.

Evenly spread mayo inside the buns. Remove toothpicks from the hot dogs and place a bacon-wrapped dog in each bun. Top each dog with a teaspoon of mustard.

Evenly distribute veggie mixture among the dogs.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: "Edible Idols: Bacon and Peanut Butter," Hungry Girl, 2011; Food Network

2599. GORGONZOLA and SMOKY BACON BURGERS

serves four


4 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound 90% lean ground beef
3 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large tomato, thickly sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
4 whole-wheat burger buns

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Drain, transfer to a small plate, and set aside to let cool. Form beef into eight thin, round patties. Divide bacon and gorgonzola between four of the patties, then top each with one of the remaining patties. Press the edges of each burger closed to seal well. Season burgers all over with salt and pepper. Grill over high heat, or cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until desired doneness, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Top burgers with tomatoes and onions and serve on buns.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Whole Foods Market

2420. QUESO FRESCO BACON BURGERS with AVOCADO SALSA

6 jalapenos
3/4 pound of bacon
3 pounds ground chuck
1 cup crumbled queso fresco
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 buttermilk
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 avocados, pitted & thinly sliced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
hamburger buns

In a skillet, cook the jalapenos in a little bit of oil until softened and charred. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let cool slightly. Remove and discard the skin, stem, and seeds; finely chop the chiles.

Fry the bacon until crispy and reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.

In a large bowl, combine the reserved bacon fat, half of the chopped chiles, and crumbled bacon. Then mix in the ground beef. Form into 6 patties and season with salt and pepper.

In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled queso fresco, mayo, buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and the remaining chiles. Season with salt and pepper; refrigerate.

In another bowl, toss together the sliced avocados, onion, cilantro, and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.

Grill the burgers, turning once, for about 10 minutes for medium rare, longer if you like them more well done. Just before the burgers are done, toast the buns on the grill (or skillet) for about a minute.

Place a burger on each bun bottom, top with some avocado salsa and queso fresco dressing, and finish with the top half of the bun.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Crystal Light Faulkner, Mrs Happy Homemaker, June 30, 2011

2397. BACON and CHEESE CURD BURGER

makes 4 servings


4 thick bacon slices
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 pounds 85 percent lean ground chuck or 90 percent lean ground sirloin
3/4 cup cheese curds or string cheese, chopped
salt and ground black pepper
4 good quality hamburger buns
4 1/4 inch thick slices ripe tomato (optional)
4 thin slices white onion (optional)
4 Iceberg lettuce leaves (optional)

Place bacon slices on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Sprinkle each slice with brown sugar. Bake in a 450 degree F oven for 10 minutes or until crisp. When cool enough to handle, chop bacon; set aside.

Divide beef into eight equal portions. Pat beef portions into patties approximately 4 inches in diameter and about 3/4-inch thick.

Equally divide and place the bacon and 3 tablespoons of the cheese curds in the middle of four of the patties, leaving 1/2 inch around the edge of the patty. Top each with the remaining 4 patties. Pinch edges of top and bottom patties together to form one large burger patty. Chill, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Season burgers with salt and black pepper. For a charcoal grill, place the patties on the well-oiled rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 10 minutes. Turn with a wide spatula and grill 10 to 12 minutes more, until meat is cooked and an instant-read thermometer inserted into patties registers 160 degrees F. Toast buns, cut side down, on grill during last 1 to 2 minutes of grilling. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place patties on grill rack and cover and grill as above.)

To serve, place a cooked burger on bottom half of each bun. If you like, top each with tomato, onion, and lettuce. Makes 4 servings.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef John McClure, Starker's Restaurant, 201 W 47th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, for Midwest Living Magazine

2312. GUACAMOLE BACON CHEESEBURGER

serves four


8 slices bacon
1 pound (85/15) ground beef
seasoning salt
4 slices pepper jack cheese
1 red onion, sliced
green leaf lettuce
prepared guacamole
4 hamburger buns

Preheat your outdoor grill. Cook bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. About 5-7 minutes. Transfer to paper towel lined plate. Set aside. Portion the ground beef into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a ball and then gently press into patties. Sprinkle each patty with seasoning salt. Cook burgers over medium heat. About 4-5 minutes per side for medium-well. At the last minute, place cheese slices on top. Cook until cheese melts slightly. (Note: You can also toast the hamburger buns at this point if you like.) To assemble the hamburger, place hamburger on bottom of bun, place red onion rings and lettuce on top. Spread guacamole on top bun and place on top. Serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Des, Life's Ambrosia, June 2009

2300. BACON and ONION BRATWURSTS

makes four servings


2 slices bacon
2 medium onions, sliced and separated into rings
1 medium green pepper, cut into strips
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
4 links fully cooked bratwurst or knockwurst
4 frankfurter buns, split and toasted
Dijon mustard

In a large skillet cook bacon till crisp. Drain bacon, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside.

Cook onions and green pepper in reserved drippings, covered, over medium heat about 5 minutes or till tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the 1 tablespoon mustard. Score bratwurst 1/4-inch deep at 1-inch intervals; add to onion mixture. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or till heated through.

Spread buns with additional mustard. Place bratwurst in buns. Top with onions and green pepper. Sprinkle with bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Better Homes and Gardens' New Cook Book, page 238. Des Moines, Iowa: Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen, 1989

1771. WILDFLOWER HONEY MUSTARD, BALSAMIC, APPLEWOOD BACON and PROVOLONE BURGERS

4 slices applewood smoked bacon
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 medium shallot, chopped
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup wildflower honey (or any local honey)
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. kosher or sea salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
4 (6 oz.) beef sirloin patties
1 medium sweet yellow or red onion, cut into 8 slices
Kosher or sea salt
fresh ground pepper
8 slices provolone cheese
4 ciabatta or whole wheat buns

Cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towel and reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat.

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, cook balsamic vinegar, shallot and garlic. Reduce until 2 tablespoons are left. Pour into mixing bowl and cool. Add mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, bacon fat, salt and pepper. Chill.

Season beef patties and sliced onion with salt and pepper. Place on grill and cook burgers to 160°F and onions until soft and caramelized. Top each burger with 2 onion slices, bacon and 2 slices cheese and allow to melt. Grill buns lightly and drizzle each side with honey mustard. Place burgers on buns and drizzle with one extra tablespoon honey mustard. Serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Sargento Cheese, Sargento Foods Inc., One Persnickety Place, Plymouth, Wisconsin 53073

1690. BLUE CHEESE STUFFED BACON SLIDERS

serves twelve


16 slices (1 pound) apple-smoked bacon
2 ripe but firm pears
about 1 tablespoon sugar
3 pounds coarsely ground sirloin, chilled
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces (about 1/2 cup) crumbled blue cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus about 1 teaspoon
sea salt
24 soft, mini burger buns
2 1/2 cups baby arugula leaves
1 small red onion (about the same diameter as the buns), very thinly sliced
1 pint basket cherry tomatoes (optional)

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, and then drain on paper towels. Cut 8 of the slices crosswise into 3 pieces each; crumble the remaining bacon and set both aside separately.

Peel the pears, halve them lengthwise, and core them. Cut them crosswise into thin slices and put in a bowl. Toss with the sugar and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the meat, thyme, crumbled bacon, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Using your hands, knead together lightly. Form the mixture into 48 evenly sized balls (about 1 ounce each). Use the pointed end of an egg to make a small depression in half the patties. Fill them with a little mound of cheese, dividing it evenly among them. Top with the remaining patties, and then pinch them together around the cheese. Make sure the stuffing is completely enclosed. Pat and mold the burgers to fit the buns. The burgers can be shaped and refrigerated, covered, for several hours or overnight.

When ready to cook, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot or build a medium-hot fire in a barbecue. Generously season the meat on both sides with salt and pepper.

Cook the burgers in the skillet, in batches, turning once or twice, about 3 minutes for medium-rare. Do not press down on the patties. Be gentle when you turn the burgers so they do not break open. With a large spoon, baste the sliders several times with the fat in the pan. To grill the burgers, oil the grate, arrange the patties on it, and cover. Cook as above.

While the burgers cook, toast the buns in a toaster oven or under the broiler, about 5 inches from the heat, until lightly toasted. Or toast them on the outer perimeter of the grill rack.

When the burgers are done, remove them to a warm platter, keep warm, and let rest for several minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining teaspoon of the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the pear slices, or place them on the outside of the grill rack, and cook just until warm and lightly browned. Turn and repeat, then remove to a plate. They should still be crunchy.

To build the burgers, arrange a few leaves of arugula on the bun bottoms. Top each with a pear slice or two, a piece of bacon, and a burger. Add an onion slice and a bun top, and skewer securely together. Add a cherry tomato as a topknot, if you wish, on the skewer. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Burger Bar: Build Your Own Ultimate Burger, by by Hubert Keller and Penelope Wisner. Wiley, 2009

1661. TERIYAKI BACON BLACK COD BLUE CHEESE BURGER

1/4 pound black cod
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 handful shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 strips bacon
1 bun
lettuce
tomato
blue cheese

Marinate the black cod in the teriyaki sauce up to over night. Heat the oil in a pan. Saute the black cod in the oil until just crispy. Melt the butter in a pan. Saute the mushrooms in the butter until golden brown. Add the teriyaki sauce and sesame oil and saute until evaporated. Fry the bacon until crispy. Assemble sandwich.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kevin, Closet Cooking (July 1, 2008), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, lynch.kevin@gmail.com