3927. MINESTRONE SOUP with BUTTERNUT SQUASH, KALE and WHITE BEANS

Yield: Serves 6-8


4 ounces bacon, ½-inch-diced (4-5 slices)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for toasting the bread and serving
3 cups (½-inch) diced peeled butternut squash (about 1 pound)
2 cups (½-inch) diced carrots (4 carrots)
2 cups (½-inch) diced celery (3 stalks)
1 and 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium)
1 and ½ tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
1 pound kale, stems removed and leaves coarsely chopped
26 ounces canned chopped tomatoes
6 to 8 cups chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1 and 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus additional as needed (depending upon the saltiness of the stock)
1 and 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups cooked whole wheat small pasta, such as elbow (about 1 cup dry)
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Baguette, cut into 1/2 inch thick diagonal slices

In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium low, cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Remove from pan and place in between two paper towels set atop a dinner plate. Blot lightly and set aside. Drain most of the excess fat from the Dutch oven. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, squash, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté over medium heat, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 8-10 minutes. Add the kale in batches as it fits in the pot, stirring so that it cooks down. Once kale has lightly wilted, add the tomatoes, 6 cups chicken stock, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside.

Once soup has simmered and the vegetables are soft, discard the bay leaf. Add the beans, cooked pasta, and reserved bacon and heat through. The soup should be fairly thick, but add additional chicken stock as needed. Serve hot drizzled with olive oil and topped with Parmesan cheese.

To toast baguette: Place rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Brush both sides of each baguette slice with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Cook until golden and toasted, about 6 minutes. Serve warm with soup.


bacon recipe source: Erin Clarke, Well Plated (@WellPlated), October 17, 2013

3712. CASSOULET of BACON and TOULOUSE SAUSAGE with CONFIT PHEASANT

serves eight 


2 celery sticks, finely chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
8 garlic cloves, unpeeled
8 Toulouse sausages
400g whole piece of smoked streaky bacon
2 generous glasses of red wine
600g good-quality chopped canned Italian tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 thyme sprigs
2 x 400g cans white haricot beans or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
50g fine white breadcrumbs
a little chopped parsley to serve

For the pheasant
4 x 500g jars goose fat
8 pheasant legs, bone in
10 black peppercorns 

Locate your heaviest deep pan (with a lid) and put it over a low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the goose fat. Soften the celery, onions and garlic cloves, then add the sausages and brown them all for about 10-15 minutes (you may have to turn the heat up a bit). 

Remove the rind from the bacon and cut the bacon into 8 square chunks. Add the bacon and rind to the pot and pour in the red wine and tomatoes; I like to put the smoked rind in for flavour then pick it out later. Add the bay leaf and thyme, cover and simmer very slowly for 3 hrs. 

While the base is cooking, prepare the confit. This could also be done well in advance, since it keeps so well. Heat oven to 150ºC/300ºF and season the pheasant legs well with sea salt and pepper. Pack these together tightly into an ovenproof casserole and cover with the goose fat. Add the peppercorns and cook for 2½ hrs, until the pheasant is tender. Remove the legs carefully from the hot fat and drain on a rack above a roasting tray. Increase the oven temp to 200ºC/400ºF. If you are making these ahead, cool and store in the fat in the fridge. To serve, heat gently to melt so you can lift out the legs. 

To finish, tip the sausage mix into an ovenproof dish, stir in the beans with some seasoning and sit the pheasant legs on top. Sprinkle the whole thing with breadcrumbs and bake for 30 minutes until golden. Scatter with parsley to serve.


bacon recipe source: Mike Robinson, Good Food magazine, November 2009

3661. BBQ BACON BEANS

serves 6-8


2 teaspoons olive oil
2 celery sticks
1 small onion
1 small red pepper, deseeded
8 rashers rindless streaky bacon, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 teaspoon mild chilli powder
500 grams carton passata
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
410 grams (~14 oz.) can borlotti beans
410 grams (~14 oz.) can cannellini beans 

Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Finely chop the celery sticks, onion and red pepper and gently fry until soft, about 10 minutes. Set the softened veg aside and fry the bacon in the same pan until golden and crisp. Tip in the garlic clove and chili powder and cook for 1 min. 

Pour in passata, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce and the softened veg and stir well. 

Rinse and drain the borlotti beans and cannellini beans. Tip into the pan, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste and serve with jacket potatoes.


bacon recipe source: Lesley Waters, Good Food Magazine, BBC, November 2005

3656. BAKED BEANS with MAPLE-GLAZED BACON

makes eight servings


3 1/2 cups dried yellow eye or cannellini beans, rinsed and picked over, then soaked for 2 hours and drained
Kosher salt 
9 thick slices of bacon (10 ounces), 1 slice cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips 
1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice 
1 cup apple cider vinegar 
1/4 cup dark brown sugar 
1/4 cup dark unsulfured molasses 
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
1/4 cup pure maple syrup 
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 

In a large pot, cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 2 hours; add water as needed to keep the beans covered by 2 inches. Season the beans with salt and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Drain the beans, reserving 4 cups of the cooking liquid. Transfer the beans to a large, deep baking dish. 

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook the bacon strips over moderate heat until the fat has rendered, 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10 minutes. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, crushed red pepper, black pepper and 1 1/2 tablespoons of kosher salt and simmer for 1 minute, until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the bacon-onion mixture over the beans and stir in the reserved bean cooking liquid. Cover the beans with foil and bake for 45 minutes. 

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the maple syrup with the red wine vinegar and mustard. Arrange the remaining 8 bacon slices on a rimmed baking sheet, and generously brush them with the maple syrup mixture. Bake the bacon in the same oven as the beans for about 15 minutes, basting 3 times and turning the bacon twice, until richly glazed. Transfer the bacon to a plate. 

Carefully pour 1/3 cup of water onto the baking sheet and return it to the oven for about 3 minutes to dissolve the caramelized syrup. Uncover the beans and carefully stir in the syrup. Bake the beans, uncovered, for about 20 minutes longer, until the liquid has reduced by about one-fourth. 

Increase the oven temperature to 400°. Top the beans with the glazed bacon and bake until browned, about 15 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.


bacon recipe source: Laurence Jossel, Food & Wine, November 2008

3408. WHITE BEANS with BACON, POACHED EGGS and HARISSA BUTTER

makes two servings


2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
2 eggs
1 thick-cut bacon strip, cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 cup roughly chopped broccoli rabe
Kosher salt
One 14-ounce can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
8 cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon harissa
Maldon or other flaked sea salt, for finishing


Line a plate with paper towels and set aside. Fill a saucepan two-thirds full with water and add the vinegar. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Crack the eggs one at a time into a small bowl, then slide them into the simmering water. Poach until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to the paper-towel-lined plate and set aside.

In a medium skillet set over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to the paper-towel-lined plate, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Add the broccoli rabe and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until the color brightens and the rabe softens a little, about 2 minutes. Transfer the rabe to a small bowl and set aside.

Add the reserved bacon, beans and tomatoes to the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 2 minutes. (Don’t over-stir the mixture or you’ll crush the beans.)

Meanwhile, in a separate skillet set over medium-high heat, melt the butter and cook, swirling the skillet occasionally, until the butter solids are brown and have a toasty aroma, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the harissa until combined.

Divide the bean mixture between two bowls and top with the rabe and the eggs. Drizzle the harissa butter over the eggs. Sprinkle each serving with a bit of flaked sea salt and serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: kvagner (member), epicurious.com, October 28, 2013; adapted from Put an Egg on It: 70 Delicious Dishes That Deserve a Sunny Topping, by Lara Ferroni (Sasquatch Books, 2013)

3367. TUSCAN-STYLE BEANS with BACON and KOMBU

makes about 10 cups of cooked beans 

kombu (dried Japanese kelp seaweed), one 4-by-6-inch piece

dried borlotti or cannellini beans, 1½ pounds

smoky bacon, 4 ounces (preferably in 1 piece rather than strips)

extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, plus extra for serving

medium white onion, ½ (finely chopped)

celery, 1 stalk (finely chopped)

fennel fronds and stalks, from 1 bulb (finely chopped)

fresh sage leaves, 8 (finely chopped)

dried bay leaves, 2

fresh rosemary, 1 medium sprig (needles removed and finely chopped)

garlic clove, 1 (smashed with the side of a chef's knife)

dried red pepper flakes, 1 pinch

freshly ground black pepper, 1 pinch

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind, 1

flaky salt, for serving

grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

In a large bowl, add the: kombu. Cover the kombu with room-temperature water and let the kombu sit until soft and pliant, about 30 minutes. Use scissors to cut crosswise strips into one of the long sides of the kombu, so it looks like a comb. To the bowl, add the: dried borlotti beans. Cover with more room-temperature water to submerge the beans by a few inches. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, strain the beans into a colander. Transfer the kombu to a soup pot along with the: smoky bacon. Cover with 10 cups of water and bring the kombu and bacon to a simmer over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to low and cook (the liquid shouldn't even be simmering) until the water is very cloudy, about 20 minutes.
Set a colander in a large bowl and strain the kombu-bacon broth. Discard the kombu and use tongs to transfer the bacon to a cutting board. Cut the bacon into ¾-inch cubes.

Rinse and dry the soup pot and add to it the chopped bacon, along with: 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil. Set the pot over medium heat and cook the bacon until it begins to render and brown, about 5 minutes. Add: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Warm the oil for 1 minute, then use the wooden spoon to stir in the: chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped fennel fronds and stalks, chopped fresh sage, dried bay leaves, chopped fresh rosemary, smashed garlic clove, dried red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes (don't let the vegetables brown).

To the pot, add the: soaked, strained borlotti beans. Cook until the beans are warmed through, about 3 minutes, then pour in 8 cups of the reserved kombu-bacon broth (save the remaining broth, since you might need to add more to the simmering beans) and add the: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a bare boil (just until a few bubbles rise to the surface). Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover, leaving the lid slightly askew. Gently simmer, stirring occasionally and checking often to make sure the beans are not simmering too hard (this could cause the beans to split), cooking the beans until tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes, adding additional kombu-bacon broth if needed (the beans should always be covered by about ½ inch of liquid; if you run out of kombu-bacon broth, use water).

Turn off the heat and uncover the pot. Use a ladle or slotted spoon to transfer the beans and some cooking liquid to bowls, making sure to get a few pieces of bacon in each bowl. Serve drizzled with olive oil, a pinch of flaky salt and some of the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.


bacon recipe source: Jesse Koide, Mission Chinese Food, 234 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110; Tasting Table, March 4, 2013

3142. CANNELLINI and RICE with BACON and ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE

yields 8 to 10 servings

 

 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound slab bacon, cut into 1/4-inch chunks
6 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch disks
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
Kosher salt
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound dry white cannellini beans, soaked overnight in water
6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
2 cups long grain white rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for serving

 

In a large pot, heat the oil and bacon over medium heat. When the bacon starts to render its fat, add the sausage and cook until the bacon crisps up and the sausage turns golden, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon and sausage to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

To the pan, add the onions, celery, and bell pepper. Season with a pinch of salt. Saute until tender, then add the garlic, oregano, white pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir and cook until garlic is tender and pot is fragrant.

Drain and add the soaked beans. Stir to coat the beans, then add the chicken stock, raise the heat and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer, cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until beans are al dente. Add the bacon, and sausage back into the pot along with the rice. Cook 30 minutes more or until rice is tender and the liquid has absorbed. Stir in chopped fresh parsley just before serving. Season to taste.

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Sunny Anderson, "Borrowing from the South," Cooking for Real, Food Network, 2010

3041. LAMB SHOULDER with POLENTA and BEANS with BACON

makes 6 servings


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2914. ITALIAN WHITE BEAN, BACON and TORTELLINI SOUP

serves 4 to 6


1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 slices of bacon, chopped
2 shallots, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 9-ounce package cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a large, heavy soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bacon, shallots, carrot and garlic. Cook until the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beans and broth. Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to the heat to a simmer. Add the tortellini and cook 5 minutes for fresh, 8 minutes for frozen, or until just tender. Season with pepper and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Teri, Make a Whisk, January 25, 2010; adapted from Giada De Laurentiis's Everyday Pasta

2382. GRILLED ESCAROLE, WHITE BEAN PUREE and BACON OPEN-FACED SANDWICH

FOR THE WHITE BEAN PUREE
1 cup dried beans, such as cannelini, flageolet, Great Northern or French navy
1 2-oz. piece of bacon, preferably applewood-smoked
1 3-inch sprig fresh rosemary
3 fresh sage leaves
1 bay leaf
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise, reserving one half for another use
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

FOR THE ESCAROLE
1 medium head escarole, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
1-2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)

FOR THE BACON and SANDWICH
2 1/4-inch thick strips bacon, preferably applewood-smoked, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch thick pieces
4 slices white or whole-wheat sourdough bread
1 garlic clove, peeled
approximately 1/4-pound wedge Parmigiano-Reggiano, for shaving over the tops of the sandwiches
extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling on the sandwiches

FOR THE WHITE BEAN PUREE: In a medium saucepan, combine the beans, bacon, rosemary, sage leaves, bay leaf, garlic, 1 teaspoon of the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in about 2 1/2 cups water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 2 hours, until the beans are soft and tender. Check frequently, adding water as necessary to keep the beans immersed in water.

Strain the beans, reserving the liquid. Return the liquid to the saucepan, and reduce it over high heat until you have about 1 cup of slightly thickened and opaque liquid.

Remove the herbs from the beans and discard. Remove the garlic, squeeze out the soft pulp from the cloves into the beans, and discard the garlic head and peels. Remove the bacon, cut it into small pieces, and set aside.

In a food mill set over a bowl, or a food processor fitted with a metal blade, process the beans until they form a coarse puree. Add the bacon back to the beans, and pour in the reduced liquid, remaining balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, stirring to combine. Season with salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar, to taste.

FOR THE ESCAROLE: Toss the escarole with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and a few grindings of pepper. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Over a hot grill, char the escarole 7-8 minutes on each side, until tender. Alternatively, to char on the stovetop: Heat a heavy-duty skillet over high heat. Add the escarole, and char on one side for 7-8 minutes. Turn over and char the other side. Remove from the skillet. In either case, discard any pieces that are too blackened. Allow to cool. Cut off the root and discard it, then chop the escarole coarsely into 1-inch pieces.

In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, remaining oil and salt, and pepper to taste. Add the escarole, and allow it to marinate for at least 15-30 minutes before serving.

FOR THE BACON: In a small skillet, over medium heat, cook the bacon until cooked all the way through but not crisp. Drain on a paper towel.

Grill the bread. Rub one side of each slice of bread with the garlic clove, and cut each slice in half on the diagonal. Place the slices on serving plates, garlic side up.

TO ASSEMBLE THE SANDWICHES: Pile an uneven layer of escarole over each half-slice, and scatter the bacon over it. Spoon the bean puree onto the center, leaving a 1-inch border of escarole, and top with 3 or 4 shavings of cheese. Drizzle with olive oil.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book: The Best Sandwiches Ever--from Thursday Nights at Campanile by Nancy Silverton, with Teri Gelber. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2003, pages 48-49. Campanile, Los Angeles, California

2317. WHITE BEANS with BACON and ENDIVE

makes 8 (side-dish) servings


8 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-pound head curly endive, rinsed, leaves torn coarsely
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 15-ounce cans cannellini (white kidney beans), drained well
1/3 cup canned beef broth

Cook bacon in heavy large pot over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels and drain. Set bacon aside. Add onion to drippings in pot and sauté until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add half of endive with water still clinging to leaves. Cover pot and cook until endive is wilted, stirring once, about 4 minutes. Add remaining half of endive and chopped garlic. Cover and cook until endive leaves are wilted but still bright green, stirring once, about 4 minutes. Add cannellini, beef broth, and bacon. Cook bean mixture until heated through, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Bon Appétit, April 2001

2156. WHITE BEAN SOUP with BACON, FETA, THYME and LEMON

serves 4 as a main course, 6 as an appetizer


3 strips of bacon
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 can cannellini (white) beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaf
2 cups chicken stock, homemade or store-bought low-sodium
1/4 cup kalathaki or feta cheese
1/4 cup hilopites, pilaf noodles, or spaghetti broken into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
zest of one lemon

In a small Dutch oven, cook the bacon over low heat, turning occasionally, until it is browned but not burned. Remove from the pot and drain on a plate covered with a paper towel. Set aside. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the bacon fat and discard. To the bacon fat remaining in the pot, add the olive oil.

Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes, until it is very soft and just starting to brown. Add the beans and thyme. Stir once or twice, then add the chicken stock. Raise heat to high, and bring the soup to a boil. Then, reduce heat to simmer, partially cover the pot, and cook for 10 minutes.

Using an immersion blender, puree the soup in the pot (or remove and process in batches in a stand blender). Return the soup to the heat, and add the feta and noodles. Cook for 5 minutes or until your pasta is done (different pastas will take different amount of time to cook; the hilopites took just 3 minutes.) Crumble the bacon and add it to the soup.

This is not a very thick soup. If you'd like it thicker, raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until the soup is the thickness you like. If you'd like it thinner, add more chicken stock, or water.

Taste the soup, then season with salt and pepper. You won't need much salt, as both the cheese and bacon are salty, but you'll want plenty of black pepper. Stir in the lemon zest, continue cooking for 1 minute, then serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Lydia Walshin, Soup Chick: All Things Soup, Rhode Island, October 14, 2010

2147. BACON and KALE MINESTRA

yields four servings


1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 pound smoky bacon (about 6 slices), chopped
1/2 pound red potatoes, cut into small cubes
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound kale or tuscan kale (lacinato), stemmed and shredded or chopped
6 cups chicken stock
One 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper
Grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, for serving

In a soup pot, heat the extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, onion and garlic, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add the kale, cover and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the chicken stock, beans and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve in shallow bowls with the cheese on top.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rachael Ray, "30-Minute Meals," Everyday with Rachael Ray, December/January 2010

2021. SPICY BRAISED BACON with SPAGNA BEANS and TREVISO RADICCHIO

serves six


2 cups Spagna beans or cannellini beans
1 head garlic, split, plus 8 cloves garlic, sliced
1 carrot
1 stalk celery
1 russet potato, peeled
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 heads Treviso radicchio, sliced
12 slices spicy braised bacon, plus some of the braising liquid (recipe below)

Cooking the beans is a 2-day process. Soak the beans in enough water to cover them overnight in the refrigerator. The next day, strain and rinse the beans. Place them in a pot large enough to cover with 6 cups of water and add the split head of garlic, the carrot, celery, and potato. The peeled potato will soften the skin on the beans so that they don't burst when they are cooking. Cook over low heat for about 2 hours, until tender. Remove from the heat, then remove the vegetables and discard them. Season the beans with salt and black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

Transfer to the beans to a clean pot and slowly warm them over medium-low heat. Heat the 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat and add the sliced garlic. Once the garlic becomes aromatic, add the radicchio. Cook until wilted, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.

Divide the beans among 6 warm bowls, then place several slices of the braised bacon in each bowl and spoon some warm braising liquid over the top. Drape the radicchio over the bacon, drizzle olive oil on top, and serve.

NOTES: Spagna beans are Italian beans with long, green, slightly curved broad pods containing 5 to 6 large white beans. They are sometimes called butter beans. The Spagna beans here require two days of preparation, so be sure to plan ahead. You can use cannellini beans if Spagna beans are hard to find.

Treviso is one type of radicchio. It is red in color, with an elongated shape similar to endive, and it has a slightly bitter flavor. You may substitute it with any radicchio available in your market.


Spicy Braised Bacon

makes two pounds

1 meaty boneless pork belly (about 2 lb.), skinned
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon crushed red chili flakes
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
Kosher salt
vegetable oil, for sauteing
1 medium white onion, coarsely chopped
1 fennel head, quartered
1 large carrot, coarsely chopped
1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
a few sprigs of rosemary
a few springs of thyme
2 bay leaves
2 cups San Marzano (plum) tomatoes
2 cups white wine
2 gallons pork or beef stock

Portion the pork belly into 6 equal-size pieces. In a spice grinder, combine the black pepper, chili flakes, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds and finely grind them. Season the pork belly with salt, then rub with the spice rub. Let it marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion, fennel, carrot, celery, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves and saute for about 20 minutes. Once the vegetables are caramelized, add the tomatoes, cook for 25 minutes, then deglaze with the white wine. Once the liquid is reduced by three-quarters, add the pork or beef stock and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes.

While the vegetables are cooking, prepare a grill to cook over direct high heat. Grill the pork belly until it begins to render some of its fat and becomes dark golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes, and turn and repeat.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Stir the vegetables well and then strain the braising liquid into a bowl; discard the vegetables. Transfer the pork belly to a nonreactive ovenproof pan and cover it with the reserved braising liquid. Bake until tender, about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

NOTE: Tightly sealed cured bacon keeps in the refrigerator for up to a month.


Spicy Braised Bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef/Owner Chris Cosentino, Boccalone, Boccalone Salumeria, Ferry Building Marketplace, Shop #21, San Francisco, California 94111 | I Love Bacon! by Jayne Rockmill, p. 4. Andrew McMeel Publishing, LLC, 2010

main recipe courtesy of: Chris Cosentino, Incanto, 1550 Church Street, San Francisco, California 94131, 415-641-4500 | I Love Bacon! by Jayne Rockmill, p. 4. Andrew McMeel Publishing, LLC, 2010

1881. ROOT BEER BAKED BEANS with BACON

makes eight servings


4 slices applewood-smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
3 1/2 cups chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 15-ounce cans cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed, drained
1 1/2 cups root beer (preferably artisanal)
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons mild-flavored (light) molasses
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook bacon in large ovenproof pot over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Add onions to drippings in pot; cook until beginning to brown, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add beans, root beer, vinegar, molasses, tomato paste, mustard, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper; mix. Stir in bacon; bring to boil. Transfer to oven; bake uncovered until liquid thickens, about 30 minutes.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rick Rodgers, Bon Appétit, July 2010

1781. SLOW-ROASTED PORK CHOP with BACON, CANNELLINI BEANS, SWISS CHARD and VALDEON CHEESE

The brine
1 gallon of water
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
1 orange peel, cut with a vegetable peeler

4 medium-size naturally raised pork chops (brined for 5 hours, see below for the brine)
2 cups of dried cannellini beans soaked for 5 hours (can substitute two cans of beans)
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
1 celery, finely diced
1 apple, finely diced
1/4 cup of double-smoked bacon, finely diced
2 cups of Swiss chard, cleaned and dry
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar (can substitute red wine vinegar)
1/4 cup of Valdeon cheese (can substitute another blue cheese. like Gorgonzola)
6 cups of chicken stock
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

For the brine: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and dissolve the salt and sugar, mix with the rest of the water and remaining ingredients. Pour over the pork chops to cover and refrigerate for 5 hours to 12 hours. Remove pork chops and set aside to dry.

For the beans: In a large pot, bring 1 tablespoon olive oil to medium heat. Add bacon and brown thoroughly, about 3 minutes. Add onion, carrot, celery, apple and gently saute without coloring, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and let reduce for 1 minute. Add beans and chicken stock to cover.

Reduce heat and simmer until stock is absorbed. Continue adding stock as it's absorbed by the beans; cook until beans are tender, about 45 minutes. Once beans are cooked, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, fold in Valdeon cheese and Swiss chard and cook for another two minutes.

For the pork chops: Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Heat two large pans with 3 tablespoons olive oil in each, over medium-high heat. Generously season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Carefully brown the chops, two in each pan, on both sides, then remove to a baking tray and roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes depending upon the size of the chop, checking the internal temperature of the chops after 15 minutes with probe thermometer. When the temperature reads 160 degrees, remove from the oven and set aside to rest for 5 to 10 minutes in a warm place. Meanwhile divide beans on four plates and place a chop on top of each plate of beans.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef Seamus Mullen, Boqueria, New York, New York | The Today Show, February 4, 2009

1722. KALE, CANNELLINI BEANS and BACON BOWL

serves two


2 bunches of kale, washed, stems removed, roughly chopped
1 15-oz. can cannellini beans
3 oz. bacon, cut in small pieces
¼ cup beef or chicken stock
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper


In a large saucepan, sauté the bacon until golden brown. Remove from pan and reserve. In the same pan, add onion. After the onion softens, add the garlic. Sauté until the onion begins to brown. Add kale to the pan. Add the stock. Cover and let the kale steam for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft. Remove the lid and allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Add the beans and mix gently until hot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place in a serving bowl and sprinkle the bacon on top of the kale and bean mixture.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Eve Chenu and Tobin McGill, Edible Austin, Austin, Texas 78704, info@edibleaustin.com

1614. WHITE BEAN and BACON DIP with ROSEMARY PITA CHIPS

yields eight servings; serving size: 3 pita chips and 3 tablespoons dip


Chips:
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 (6-inch) pitas, each cut into 8 wedges
cooking spray

Dip:
2 applewood-smoked bacon slices, chopped (such as Nueske's)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare chips, combine first 4 ingredients. Arrange pita wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet. Lightly coat pita wedges with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with rosemary mixture. Lightly recoat pita wedges with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until golden.

To prepare dip, cook bacon in a small saucepan over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon; set aside. Add garlic to drippings in pan; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add broth and beans; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.

Combine bean mixture, onions, and remaining ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth. Spoon mixture into a bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon reserved bacon. Sprinkle dip with remaining bacon just before serving. Serve with pita chips.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Cooking Light, May 2003

1461. ALASKAN HALIBUT TAGINE with ELEPHANT GARLIC CONFIT, WHITE BEANS, STEAMED MUSSELS, RAPINI and SMOKED BACON

serves four


For the elephant garlic confit
3 heads elephant garlic, cloves peeled and separated
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Place the cloves in a small pot and cover with the olive oil (you may need more oil depending on the size of your pot). Cook slowly on the lowest setting of your stove until the garlic is soft. Set aside to cool.


For the broth
1 cup dried white beans (such as navy or cannelini)
1 each carrot, peeled and cut into 1” chunks
1 each onion, peeled and quartered
1 each garlic clove, peeled
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 each bay leaf
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/4 lb slab bacon (preferably skin-on)
6 cups chicken stock

Soak the beans overnight in two quarts of cold water. Discard the water and place the beans in a 4qt sauce pot and cover with the chicken stock. Wrap all of the remaining ingredients in cheesecloth, tie securely with kitchen twine, and throw the bundle in the pot with the beans. Simmer over very low heat until the beans are tender (one to two hours).

Discard the cheesecloth and its contents. Drain the beans and allow to cool. Set aside. Place the bean liquid into a clean saucepan and reduce slowly until you have about two cups. Reserve.


Assembly

4 each Alaskan halibut filet, skin-off 5 oz portions
¼ lb slab bacon, cut into lardons (1/4” x ¼” x 1”)
1 bunch rapini, bottom 2” of stems discarded, washed thoroughly
4 each baby carrots, peeled and cut into ¼” rounds
1 lb mussels, well-scrubbed and beards removed
1 each lemon
1 pinch chile flakes (if desired)

Preheat the oven to 400º. Render bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove from fat and drain on a paper towel. Place two cups of the cooked beans in the center of the tagine. Arrange rapini around the beans. Place carrots, mussels, and cooked elephant garlic over the rapini. Season the halibut with salt and pepper, and brush with a little of the reserved bacon fat. Place the halibut in the center of the tagine over the beans. Finally, add the reduced bean cooking liquid. Cover and bake in a 400?oven until the halibut is beginning to flake and the mussels have all opened, about 35 minutes. Just before serving, scatter the bacon over the dish, grate lemon zest over all, sprinkle the chili flakes around and drizzle about three tablespoons of the garlic cooking oil into the broth. Bring to the table covered, and remove the cover tableside so your guests can enjoy the aroma. Serve in large, wide bowls with crusty bread.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Michael Mina, Mina Group, Inc., 335 Powell Street, 13th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102

1419. PENNE with WHITE BEANS, SCAMPI and CRISPY BACON

yields 4-6 servings


1 box penne
1 cup (4 ounces) bacon, diced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 leaves sage
8 ounces fresh scampi
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 can (19 ounces) cannellini white beans, drained
2 medium tomatoes on the vine, peeled, seeded and diced

Heat bacon in a small skillet until brown and crispy. Drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add sage leaves and shrimp. Season with salt and pepper. Add beans and tomatoes to skillet. Cook over medium heat until shrimp are cooked through. Discard sage and set skillet aside. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Add pasta to sauce mixture. Mix well and top with crispy bacon.


courtesy of: Barilla America, Barilla Pasta