3980. CURRY CARROT SOUP with CANDIED DOUBLE SMOKED BACON GARNISH

Serves up 8.


Curry Carrot Soup
2 tbsp butter

1 med size sweet onions cut in chunks

½ cup celery preferably the heart with leaves cut in chunks

5 pound peeled carrots cut in chunks

2 bay leaves

1 tbsp dijon

1 cup white wine

1 tbsp coarse sea salt

1 tbsp pepper

2 tbsp curry powder

4 cups vegetable stock

water (just to cover vegetables)

2 cups 35% cream

Candied Double Smoked Bacon

2 oz. minced red onions

1 pound bacon

¼ cup maple syrup

Curry Carrot Soup 

In a medium size pot melt the butter and sauté the onions and celery for 3 to 4 minutes; deglaze with white wine.

Add the carrots, vegetable stock, bay leafs, Dijon, salt, pepper, curry powder and add water to cover vegetables.

Bring to a boil; then simmer all ingredients till soft. Approximately 45 minutes.

Remove 2 bay leafs.

Puree in a blender till smooth consistency and finish with the cream.

Candied Double Smoked Bacon

Cut 1 pound bacon in lardon; ½ inch squares and sauté them in a frying pan on high heat; let sit till they start to brown then turn on all four sides.

Place the cooked lardon on paper towel to absorb the grease, wipe your pan dry then bring the bacon back to the pan.

Once they start to heat up again pour ¼ cup maple syrup and bring to a boil; then let reduce slowly so it coats each peace.

Let cool on parchment paper. Use as a garnish for the soup.

bacon recipe source: The Kilted Chef Alain Bosse, NovaScotia.com

3965. BEER and BACON PORK PIE

1 lb. roast pork loin, cut into small pieces

6 oz. apple smoked bacon cooked, cut into small pieces

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 stalk of celery. finely chopped

1/3 cup beer (I chose a lager)

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp minced fresh sage

1 tbsp minced fresh parsley

pinch grated nutmeg

pinch allspice

pinch black pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

2 red onions, finely sliced

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1 egg, beaten

2 cups grated sharp cheddar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the roast pork, bacon, beer, Worcestershire, carrot, celery into a medium sized pan over medium-low heat. Let come to a slow boil and stir in sage, parsley, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper.

Divide the pork filling mixture among 4 individual greased mini pie pans and bake in the oven for 50 minutes. Halfway through baking, cover the edges of your pies with aluminum foil to ensure the crust edge does not burn.

Meanwhile, for the balsamic onions, heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onions for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.

Add the sugar and vinegar, stir and bring the mixture to the boil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the onions are sticky.

Remove the pies from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Carefully remove the pies from the pans*, brush the sides with the beaten egg yolk and place onto a baking tray. Spoon the balsamic onions on top of the pies and sprinkle over the cheese.

Bake the pies for a further 5-6 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.

*Pie Tip: If the pies don’t release easily from the pan, run a butter knife around the edge. If it still does not release, the crust may not be fully baked, continue to bake for another 5-10 minutes.

bacon recipe source: Alisun "Sunny" Hernandez, For Your Pies Only (@foryourpiesonly) 

3934. WHITE BEAN SALAD with CHEDDAR, BACON and WALNUTS

Makes: 10 servings
Serving Size: about 2/3 cup


2 whole heads garlic
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil plus 1/3 cup, divided
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
3 15-ounce cans navy or great northern beans (see Tip), rinsed
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 medium orange bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Remove excess papery skin from garlic heads without separating the cloves. Slice the tips off, exposing the cloves. Place the heads on a piece of foil, drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil and wrap into a package. Roast until the garlic is very soft and starting to brown, 55 to 65 minutes. Carefully unwrap and let cool for 10 minutes.

Squeeze the garlic cloves into a food processor or blender. Add the remaining 1/3 cup oil, vinegar, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper. Puree until smooth.

Combine beans, bacon, bell pepper, celery, walnuts and parsley in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Add cheese and gently stir to combine. Serve at room temperature or cold.


bacon recipe source: EatingWell, May/June 2015

3932. CORN and BACON SOUP with JALAPENO CREMA

Servings: 6


10 medium ears of corn, shucked
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 ounces lean bacon, finely diced (1/2 cup)
1 celery rib, finely diced
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced yellow bell pepper
3 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Kosher salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/4 cup sour cream
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus cilantro leaves, for garnish
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground white pepper

Set a box grater in a wide, shallow bowl and coarsely grate 6 ears of corn; you should have 2 cups of grated corn. Cut the kernels from the remaining 4 ears; you should have 2 cups of kernels.

In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the bacon, celery, onion and yellow pepper, cover and cook over low heat, stirring a few times, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the grated corn, the milk and 1 cup of the heavy cream and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer, stirring often, until the soup is thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and the cayenne pepper and keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering. Add the corn kernels to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat, stirring a few times, until they are lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Season with salt. Stir the cooked corn kernels into the soup and keep warm.

In a blender, whip the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream to soft peaks, about 20 seconds. Add the sour cream, jalapeño, chopped cilantro and lemon juice and blend until thick. Season with salt and white pepper.

Ladle the soup into bowls, top with spoonfuls of jalapeño crema and cilantro leaves and serve at once.


bacon recipe source: Wolfgang Puck, Food & Wine, August 2007

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

3871. CHARRO BEANS with BACON

serves 6


1 teaspoon lard or vegetable oil
4 slices bacon, minced
1 white onion, finely chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup thinly sliced, peeled carrots
1 jalapeno chile, minced
8 ounces ham, diced
6 cups drained cooked pinto beans and 4 cups bean cooking liquid
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground dried Mexican oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (12-ounce) bottle or can Mexican beer (optional)

In a skillet, heat the lard over medium-high heat. Add the bacon, onion, celery, and carrots and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until the onion is soft. Add the chile and ham and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

Place the beans and cooking liquid in a soup pot. Using an immersion blender or a potato masher, break up some of the beans to create a thick, chunky-textured soup. Add the cooked ham mixture, including some or all of the fat in the pan, and stir well. Then stir in the salt, oregano, and cumin. Place over high heat, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Add either water or beer as needed to achieve a good soup consistency. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Texas Eats: The New Lone Star Heritage Cookbook by Robb Walsh (Ten Speed Press, 2012)

3858. HEARTY SPLIT PEA and SMOKY BACON SOUP with RUSTIC GARLIC-BUTTER CROUTONS

Yield: Serves about 4-6


Canola oil

6 slices thick-cut, apple-smoked bacon, finely chopped

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 onion, finely chopped

2 ribs celery, finely diced

2 carrots, peeled and finely diced

2 teaspoons dried marjoram

Salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

4 large cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press

1 pound green split peas, picked through and rinsed

6 cups hot chicken stock

1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Squeeze of lemon

Rustic Garlic-Butter Croutons (recipe below)

Place a medium-large or large soup pot over medium-high heat, and add in just a small drizzle of oil; once the oil is hot, add in the chopped bacon, and cook until golden and crispy; remove bacon with a slotted spoon, set aside, and wipe out most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon worth in the pot.

Place the pot back on medium heat, and add in the butter; once melted, add in the onion, celery, and carrot, and saute those for a couple of minutes just until they begin to become tender.

Add in the marjoram, a pinch or two of salt, the black pepper, and the garlic, and stir to combine; cook for a moment or two until the garlic becomes aromatic.

Add in the split peas, along with the stock, and stir to combine; bring the soup up to a rolling simmer/boil, and then cover, and reduce the heat to low, simmering the soup very gently for about 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the peas have split and are tender.

Finish the soup by adding in the chopped parsley and the thyme, along with a squeeze of lemon juice, and check to see if any additional salt or pepper is needed.

Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with some of the Rustic Garlic-Butter croutons, and a generous sprinkle of the crispy bacon.

Rustic Garlic-Butter Croutons:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 small cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press

Black pepper

Salt

½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

8 ounces ciabatta bread, sliced into ½" thick slices, and then cubed into small cubes

Preheat the oven to 425°, and line a baking sheet with foil.

Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave for a few moments; to it add the pressed garlic cloves, a pinch of black pepper, a couple of pinches of salt, and the Italian seasoning, and mix with a fork to combine.

Place the cubed ciabatta into a medium-size bowl, and pour the butter mixture evenly over the cubes; toss to coat, and pour the cubes out in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet, and bake for about 12-15 minutes, tossing the cubes occasionally for even crisping/browning.

Remove from oven and allow the cubes to cool completely on the baking sheet; use immediately, or keep in a ziplock. (You can re-crisp them, if necessary, in a low-heat toaster oven for about 8-10 minutes.)


bacon recipe source: Ingrid Beer, The Cozy Apron (@TheCozyApron), March 1, 2015

3841. BACON and EGG DIP

4 to 6 servings



6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, whites and yolks separated

2 tablespoons real mayonnaise, plus more if needed

2 tablespoons dill pickle relish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon minced shallots

1 tablespoon cider vinegar, plus more if needed

2 teaspoons finely shaved chives

1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup liquid bacon fat (warm slightly if solid)

Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Assorted crudité such as baby carrots, fennel, celery and cherry tomatoes, for serving



Chop the egg whites and yolks separately and put them in separate bowls.



Add the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, shallots, vinegar, chives and dill to the yolks and whisk until smooth. Whisk the bacon fat into the yolk mixture. Loosen with more vinegar or mayonnaise if necessary. Fold in the chopped egg whites and season with salt and pepper.



Serve with assorted crudité for dipping.


bacon recipe source: Geoffrey Zakarian, "Summer Celebration," The Kitchen, Food Network

3822. SOFT PRETZEL and BACON STUFFING with MUSTARD and BEER

Servings: 8


10 heaping cups pretzel bread, cubed

1 (16 oz) package bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup beer

2 large eggs
2 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 200˚F. Spread out pretzel cubes on baking sheets and bake about 1 hour, until bread dries out, flipping bread cubes halfway through. Remove bread; set aside to cool and increase oven temperature to 375˚F.



In large sauté pan, fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and place on paper towel-lined plate to cool. Drain off 1/4 cup bacon grease from pan; set aside. Add onion and celery to pan with remaining bacon grease and cook over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Set aside.



In medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, beer, eggs, honey and mustard. 


In greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish, gently combine bread cubes, bacon, parsley, and onion/celery mixture. Pour broth mixture over top and toss gently to coat. Pour reserved bacon grease over top; bake 40 minutes. 


bacon recipe source: Molly Yeh (@mollyyeh); Jones Dairy Farm, 800 Jones Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

3766. WHELK FRITTERS with BACON

serves 8–10

10-12 whelks

1 celery stick, roughly chopped

1 carrot, roughly chopped

1 bay leaf

3-4 rashers fatty bacon, diced

1 onion, chopped

2 medium eggs, separated

2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

½ teaspoon thyme leaves

a good pinch curry powder

40 grams fresh breadcrumbs

salt

freshly ground black pepper

sunflower oil or olive oil, for frying

Scrub the whelks under the cold tap. As you handle them, you may find that some of them release a certain amount of slime (don’t worry about this, just rinse it away). Put the cleaned whelks in a large pan, cover with cold water and add the celery, carrot and bay leaf. Bring to boiling point and cook at a gentle simmer for 8–10 minutes. Drain, discard the vegetables and leave the whelks to cool.

Extract the cooked whelks from their shells, using a fork to twirl them out. Remove the coarse cap or ‘trap door’ (like a black fingernail) from the front end and the dark digestive sac from the tail end. Roughly chop the whelks.

Gently cook the bacon in a frying pan until it releases its fat and is lightly cooked. Add the onion to the pan and fry until soft, then set aside to cool.

Put the egg yolks into a bowl and lightly break them up with a fork. Stir in the chopped whelks, bacon and onion, garlic, parsley, thyme, curry powder, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper to taste.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gently fold them into the whelk mixture. Form the mixture into even-sized patties, around 5 cm in diameter.

Pour a 1 cm depth of oil into a large frying pan and set over a medium-high heat. When hot, add the patties (be careful, as they can spit ferociously) and fry for 3–4 minutes per side, until crisp and golden. Serve the fritters hot from the pan, with a little lemony mayonnaise dabbed on top if you like.

bacon recipe source: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Nick Fisher, The River Cottage Fish Book: The Definitive Guide to Sourcing and Cooking Sustainable Fish and Shellfish (Ten Speed Press, 2012); Cooked (@Cooked_UK)

3758. RUSTIC POT ROAST with BACON, GARLIC and ROSEMARY

2 slices bacon, diced

3- to 4-pound boneless chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
Salt and black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup beef broth, low-sodium or homemade
2 onions, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 russet or baking potatoes, peeled and chopped
5 cloves garlic, smashed
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with its juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 sprigs rosemary, plus more for garnish

Spray the inside if the slow cooker with cooking spray.

Heat a large Dutch oven or cast-iron pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the bacon drippings.

Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper on all sides (go easy on the salt if using canned stock, which is already salty). Add the olive oil to the pan with the dripping and then, over medium-high heat, deglaze the pan with the beef broth, scraping up all the bits on the bottom of the pan. Pour the juices from the pan into the slow cooker.

Add the onions, celery, potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, and rosemary to the slow cooker. Finally add the bacon. Stir everything well, nestling the vegetables and rosemary into the broth. Cover and cook on low for at least 7 hours and up to 8 hours, until the meat is very tender.

Transfer the meat to a platter and turn the slow cooker to high. Leave the slow cooker uncovered and continue cooking the sauce for 45 minutes, or until it has thickened some. Return the meat to the slow cooker and continue to cook on high for another 15 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened a bit more.

Remove the rosemary sprigs and discard.

Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Plate the beef on a large platter and spoon the potatoes and sauce around and over the beef. Garnish with additional rosemary sprigs. Save any sauce for bread dipping.

bacon recipe source: Susan Puckett, Atlanta Magazine, November 6, 2013; The Southern Slow Cooker: Big-Flavor, Low-Fuss Recipes for Comfort Food Classics, by Kendra Bailey Morris (Ten Speed Press, 2013)

3743. TUSCAN CHICKEN with OLIVES and BACON

3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and/or breasts (8-10 pieces)

1/4 lb naturally cured lean bacon or pancetta, cubed

olive oil for frying

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1½ teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 cup dry white wine, divided

1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced

2 anchovy fillets in oil, finely chopped

1½ teaspoons balsamic vinegar

fresh ground pepper, to taste

sprigs of rosemary, garnish

Wash and dry the chicken. Season with salt and pepper and let stand. You may want to remove the skin from outside of the thighs and breasts. The skin will provide more moisture (in the form of fat) to the chicken.

Place a large Dutch oven or a large pan (that has a lid) over medium-high heat. If frying the chicken with skin-on, use 1 tablespoon of oil. If frying without skin, use about 3 tablespoons of oil. Place the chicken skin-side down and fry for about 5 minutes, until the skin is crispy and brown. Careful of the splatter, turn the chicken and lightly brown the underside for another 5 minutes. Remove to a plate and let stand. Discard any excess oil and fat that remains in the pan leaving only 1 tablespoon. 

While chicken is browning, do all your prep: chop up the bacon, onion, carrot, and celery and set aside. Similarly, prepare finely chop the garlic and rosemary. Slice the olives (into thirds is about the right thickness) and finely chop the anchovies.

Over medium-high, reheat the pan used to fry the chicken and the residual oil. Add the bacon and fry for 1 minute until oil in bacon starts to ‘melt.’ Add the mirepoix (chopped carrots, celery, and onion) to the pan and fry for about 5 minutes or until the bacon has cooked and the veggies are showing slight caramelization.

Add the rosemary and garlic and saute for 1 more minute then add anchovies and olives. Add 1/4 cup of wine to the pan and deglaze. Then add remaining 1/2 cup of wine plus the balsamic and stir everything together. Add browned chicken on top of the mixture and cover with lid. Cook for about 20 minutes over medium-low heat (just enough to keep everything simmering well), turning after 10 minutes. 

After 20 minutes, check chicken for doneness. Juices should run completely clear and internal temperature of chicken should be 165-170ºF. Remove from heat; turn chicken again; cover and let stand for 5 minute while you prepare your plates and sides.

Serve one piece of chicken per person, being sure to spoon a healthy spoonful of olives and veggies and the rich sauce over each piece. Garnish with sprig of rosemary and enjoy.

bacon recipe source: Dale Schierbeck (@EatWriteShoot), Eats Writes Shoots, August 14, 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

3705. MAITAKE, LEEK and BACON DRESSING

serves ten


1 loaf challah
8 ounces bacon
2 leeks, white and light green parts halved lengthwise and sliced into half moons
2 stalks celery, diced
2 tablespoons white wine
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
pinch dried thyme
pinch dried rosemary
Salt
Olive oil
8 ounces maitake mushrooms (also known as hen of the woods)
2 to 3 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
3 tablespoons butter

Several hours ahead of time, or even the night before, slice the challah. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and let dry at room temperature, turning occasionally. You want it to get stale.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Take out two big frying pans. Set one over medium high heat and add the bacon. Cook until crisp, turning once, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Lower the heat to medium, then add the leeks and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 15 minutes. Add the white wine and cook until reduced, then throw in the parsley, rosemary, thyme, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, set the second pan over high heat. When hot, film with oil and add half of the maitakes, breaking them up as you go. Don’t stir until the bottoms get crisp, 3 to 4 minutes, then continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have shrunk considerably, are quite browned, and smell amazing. Salt well. Transfer to a large bowl, then add a little moil oil to the pan and cook the second half of the maitakes the same way. Salt again, then add to the bowl.

When it’s done, put the leek and celery mixture in the big bowl too. Cut the stale challah into cubes, and add that too. Break the bacon up into small pieces, and put them in the bowl. Toss to evenly distribute bread, bacon, mushrooms, and leeks, and try to get a bite that has some of each thing, so you can taste for salt, adding more if needed. Scrape into a 9-by-13 casserole pan, and pour 2 cups of stock over the top, then scatter small pieces of butter across the surface. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then uncover the dressing. If it seems dry, add some more of the remaining stock. Return to the oven and bake another 30 minutes, until the top is crispy and brown.


bacon recipe source: Cara, Big Girls Small Kitchen (@BGSK), November 20, 2014

3698. SWEET POTATO COCONUT MILK SOUP with BACON

5 strips of bacon
½ large sweet onion, diced
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 celery stalk, diced
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
46 ounces chicken stock
½ teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon curry
½ teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste
dash of cinnamon
1-1/2 tablespoon honey
½ can of coconut milk (13.5 ounce can)

In a stock pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towel. Add onion and celery to bacon fat and saute until translucent. Add chopped garlic and stir. Immediately add chicken stock and diced potatoes. Allow to simmer until potatoes are soft. Use a stick blender to puree. Return to heat and add coconut milk, spices and honey. Use reserved bacon for garnish.


bacon recipe source: Lori Fortini, Peonies and Pears, July 13, 2015

3697. BACON CRAB CAKES with PIMIENTO-CORN RELISH

yields four servings 


4 strips smoked bacon

For the relish:
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups corn kernels (from about 3 ears of corn)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 4-ounce jar diced pimientos, drained

For the crab cakes:
1 pound lump crab meat
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 small onion, finely grated
1 clove garlic, finely grated
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 to 1/2 cup crushed pretzels, as needed
3/4 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay
Few dashes hot sauce
Salt

 

Place a large saute pan over medium heat and cook the bacon until golden brown and crisp, 7 to 8 minutes total. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat in a dish and 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pan. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.

 

Return the pan to medium heat and add the celery, onion, corn and some salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar and pimientos to the pan and cook until the vinegar has reduced and the corn is tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Adjust the seasoning as needed and set the relish aside to cool.

Place a large skillet over medium heat with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat. In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the crab cakes, along with the reserved crisp bacon, adjusting the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper. Working in batches as needed, scoop out about 1/4 cup of mix for each crab cake and cook in the bacon fat, turning once, until golden brown and heated through, about 3 minutes per side.

As batches finish cooking, reserve them on a plate; add more bacon fat to the pan as needed throughout cooking.

Serve the warm crab cakes over warm or room temperature relish.


bacon recipe source: Patrick Decker, Cooking Channel TV

3694. WALDORF SLAW with BACON

yields four servings


4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon celery seeds
2 apples (such as Gala or Fuji)
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 carrots, shredded
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes; drain on paper towels.

Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar and celery seeds in a large bowl until combined. Slice the apples into matchsticks, then add to the bowl with the dressing along with the celery, carrots, walnuts, raisins, parsley and bacon. Season with salt and pepper and toss.

bacon recipe source: Food Network Kitchen/Food Network Magazine

3689. SHEPHERD'S PIE with BACON, BEEF and HORSERADISH BLUE CHEESE POTATOES

serves 4-6


2 pounds beef from shank or chuck or lamb from shank or shoulder (from the butcher), hand trimmed and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
6 slices smoky thick-cut bacon, diced
Salt and coarse black pepper
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 small ribs celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large bay leaf
Bundle of sage and parsley, a few sprigs each
2 rounded tablespoons flour
About 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Cup dry red wine
2 1/2 cups beef or veal stock

For the topping:
2 to 2 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes, 5 large, peeled and cubed
1 cup warm milk
Cup sour cream
2 rounded tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 cup smoked blue cheese or blue cheese crumbles
1 cup grated Parm or sharp cheddar
A few grates of fresh nutmeg
1 cup finely chopped chives
2 large egg yolks
Sprinkle of paprika

Pat the meat dry after chopping and before cooking.

Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add oil and bacon and cook to crisp. Remove to a plate and drain all but 3-4 tablespoons drippings from the pot.  Add beef or lamb, season with salt and pepper, and cook in 2 batches to brown and crust.  Remove meat to the plate with bacon.

To meat drippings add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay herb bundle, salt and pepper.  Cook partially covered 10-12 minutes to soften, stirring occasionally.  Add flour and stir one minute to cook out raw flour taste, add Worcestershire and wine, and stir. Add stock and beef or lamb and bacon back to pan reduce heat to simmer and cook covered until tender, stirring occasionally, up to 40 minutes.

Place potatoes in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Salt water and cook to tender, drain and pass through ricer.  Stir in warm milk to thin to your liking add sour cream, horseradish, cheeses, pepper, nutmeg and chives. Adjust seasoning, stir in egg yolks and pipe or spread over meat filling in casserole or single-serve dishes.

Heat broiler and place a rack in the center of the oven. Brown potatoes and sprinkle with paprika to serve. 


bacon recipe source: Rachael Ray, Rachael Ray Show, November 18, 2013

hepherd’s Pie with Bacon, Beef and Horseradish Blue Cheese Potatoes

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Serves 4-6

Aired November 18, 2013

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds beef from shank or chuck or lamb from shank or shoulder (from the butcher), hand trimmed and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil 
• 6 slices smoky thick-cut bacon, diced 
• Salt and coarse black pepper 
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 2 carrots, chopped 
• 2 small ribs celery, chopped 
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 large bay leaf
• Bundle of sage and parsley, a few sprigs each
• 2 rounded tablespoons flour 
• About 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• Cup dry red wine 
• 2 1/2 cups beef or veal stock 
• For the topping:
• 2 to 2 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes, 5 large, peeled and cubed 
• 1 cup warm milk 
• Cup sour cream 
• 2 rounded tablespoons prepared horseradish 
• 1 cup smoked blue cheese or blue cheese crumbles
• 1 cup grated Parm or sharp cheddar 
• A few grates of fresh nutmeg
• 1 cup finely chopped chives 
• 2 large egg yolks
• Sprinkle of paprika 
•  

PREPARATION

Pat the meat dry after chopping and before cooking.

Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add oil and bacon and cook to crisp. Remove to a plate and drain all but 3-4 tablespoons drippings from the pot.  Add beef or lamb, season with salt and pepper, and cook in 2 batches to brown and crust.  Remove meat to the plate with bacon.

To meat drippings add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay herb bundle, salt and pepper.  Cook partially covered 10-12 minutes to soften, stirring occasionally.  Add flour and stir one minute to cook out raw flour taste, add Worcestershire and wine, and stir. Add stock and beef or lamb and bacon back to pan reduce heat to simmer and cook covered until tender, stirring occasionally, up to 40 minutes.

Place potatoes in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Salt water and cook to tender, drain and pass through ricer.  Stir in warm milk to thin to your liking add sour cream, horseradish, cheeses, pepper, nutmeg and chives. Adjust seasoning, stir in egg yolks and pipe or spread over meat filling in casserole or single-serve dishes.

Heat broiler and place a rack in the center of the oven. Brown potatoes and sprinkle with paprika to serve.   

- See more at: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/recipe/16674_Shepherd_s_Pie_With_Bacon_Beef_and_Horseradish_Blue_Cheese_Potatoes/#sthash.7f6Xrp1p.dpuf

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

3665. CRUNCHY CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES with BACON

makes two sandwiches


1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 small carrots, 1 cut into rough chunks, the other diced
1 small onion, halved
2 medium celery stalks, 1 cut into rough chunks, the other diced
2 scallions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Salt
3 slices bacon
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
Freshly ground pepper
4 slices bakery whole grain bread

Poach the chicken: add the chicken thighs, the rough chop carrot, onion, and rough chop celery to a medium pot with a lid. Cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim any foam from the top, and reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer until the chicken is cooked, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate, let cool, then shred. Chicken can be cooked and shredded up to 3 days in advance and stored in refrigerator.

In a medium mixing bowl, toss the scallions with apple cider vinegar and salt. Set aside.

Add bacon in single layer to large skillet. Cook over medium to medium-low heat, turning occasionally, until crisp and well rendered (about 10 minutes total). Drain on paper towels, then break each slice in half.

Add the shredded chicken, mayonnaise, diced carrots, and diced celery to the mixing bow with the scallions and vinegar. Mix to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Toast bread. Divide chicken salad evenly on top of two slices of bread. Top with bacon and close sandwiches. Serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Phoebe Lapine and Cara Eisenpress, Big Girls Small Kitchen | Serious Eats, March 22, 2011