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

3790. SMOKED TROUT and BACON PITAS

makes 4 pitas

10 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 10 slices)

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons grainy mustard

Salt and freshly ground pepper

6 ounces skinless smoked trout fillets, flaked

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (1/2 pound), halved

1/4 pound frisée, torn (4 cups)

2 scallions, thinly sliced

Four 7-inch pita breads

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderately high heat until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the sour cream and mustard and season with salt and pepper. Add the bacon, smoked trout, cherry tomatoes, frisée and scallions and toss to coat. Spoon the salad into the pita breads and serve.

bacon recipe source: Annie Miller, Food & Wine, August 2004

3771. TAGLIATELLE with BACON, BURST CHERRY TOMATOES and ARUGULA

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces slab bacon, cut into 1/4-inch dice
3 cloves garlic, smashed
Pinch crushed red pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, assorted colors
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
Kosher salt
1 recipe all-purpose pasta dough (recipe below), cut into tagliatelle, 1/4-inch wide pasta pieces
1 1/2 cups baby arugula
Big fat finishing oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano

All-Purpose Pasta Dough:
1 pound all-purpose flour
4 whole eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 to 2 tablespoons water (or more if needed)
Kosher salt

All-Purpose Pasta Dough: Put the all-purpose flour on a clean, dry work surface. Make a hole (this is also called a well) in the center of the flour pile that is about 8 inches wide (bigger is definitely better here). Crack all of the eggs and the yolk into the hole and add the olive oil, water and salt.

Using a fork, beat the eggs together with the olive oil, water and salt. Using the fork, begin to incorporate the flour into the egg mixture; be careful not to break the sides of the well or the egg mixture will run all over your board and you will have a big mess! Also, don't worry about the lumps. When enough flour has been incorporated into the egg mixture that it will not run all over the place when the sides of the well are broken, begin to use your hands to really get everything well combined. If the mixture is tight and dry, wet your hands and begin kneading with wet hands. When the mixture has really come together to a homogeneous mixture, THEN you can start kneading.

When kneading it is VERY important to put your body weight into it, get on top of the dough to really stretch it and not tear the dough. Using the heels of your palms, roll the dough to create a very smooooooth, supple dough. When done, the dough should look VERY smooth and feel almost velvety. Kneading will usually take from 8 to 10 minutes for an experienced kneader and 10 to 15 for an inexperienced kneader. Put your body weight into it, you need to knead! This is where the perfect, toothsome texture of your pasta is formed. Get in there and have fun!

When the pasta has been kneaded to the perfect consistency, wrap it in plastic and let rest for at least 1 hour. If using immediately do not refrigerate.

Roll and cut the pasta into desired shape.

Coat a large wide pan with olive oil. Toss in the bacon, garlic and red pepper; bring to medium-high heat. When the garlic turns golden and is very aromatic, 2 to 3 minutes, remove it from the pan and ditch it -- it has fulfilled its garlic destiny. Add the cherry tomatoes to the pan and roll them around until coated. Add 1 cup of the stock, season with salt, reduce the heat to medium and let the tomatoes cook until they start to burst, 8 to 10 minutes.

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Drop the pasta in the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it's tender but toothsome.

Drain the pasta and add it to the veggies along with about 1/2 cup reserved cooking water; toss vigorously to combine. Remove the pan from the heat, toss in the arugula, drizzle with the big fat finishing oil and sprinkle with Parmigiano. Serve immediately.

bacon recipe source: Anne Burrell, "Revisit Your Past Before the Last," Worst Cooks in America, Food Network

3701. BACON, AVOCADO and CHERRY TOMATO OMELETTES

makes four omelettes


8 eggs 
Kosher salt, to taste 
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 
5 oz. fontina cheese, grated 
6 oz. bacon, diced, cooked until crisp and drained 
12 cherry tomatoes, halved 
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced 
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Preheat an oven to 200°F. Place 4 oven-safe plates in the oven.

Preheat an omelette pan over medium heat.

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 of the eggs and lightly season with salt. Lightly brush the inside of the pan with one-fourth of the melted butter and pour the eggs into the well closest to the handle. Tilt the pan forward to distribute the eggs evenly between the wells. Cook, tilting and swirling the pan occasionally while lightly scraping the pan sides with the omelette spatula, until the eggs are just set, 1 to 2 minutes.

Sprinkle one-fourth of the cheese, bacon, cherry tomatoes and avocado over the eggs in the well closest to the handle. Starting at this well, use the spatula to gently fold the eggs toward the center divider and continue rolling toward the opposite side of the pan to form the omelette. Transfer the omelette to one of the warmed plates in the oven. Repeat the process 3 more times with the remaining ingredients, wiping out the pan with a paper towel as needed.

Garnish the omelettes with cilantro leaves and serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Williams-Sonoma Kitchen (@WilliamsSonoma)

3679. AGED CHEDDAR FONDUE with GRILLED TOMATOES, BACON and ONIONS

yields 6-8 servings


1 pint cherry tomatoes

8 ounces slab bacon, cubed
1 large Vidalia onion, cubed
1/2 loaf ciabatta bread (about 8 ounces), cubed
Olive oil, for tossing with skewer ingredients
Salt
Lots of freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces aged Cheddar
6 teaspoons cornstarch
10 ounces Gruyere
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons sherry wine
Pinch of nutmeg

Special equipment: metal skewers (or wood skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes)

 

Heat a grill on medium-high heat.

Toss the cherry tomatoes, slab bacon, onions and bread cubes separately with a bit of oil, salt and pepper, and thread them on their own skewers so that they can cook at their own rate. You will have multiple skewers of each.

Grill the skewers over medium-high heat until lightly charred; keep warm while you make the fondue.

Shred the Cheddar and toss with 2 teaspoons of the cornstarch. Separately, shred the Gruyere and toss with the remaining 4 teaspoons cornstarch.

In a medium heatproof saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. (You can easily cook this over a campfire or on a camp grill as well.) When the butter melts, add the garlic and let it sizzle for 30 seconds. Add the white wine and bring to a simmer. Add the Gruyere and whisk until smooth. Add the Cheddar and whisk until smooth and no lumps of cheese remain. Heat until the cheese bubbles slightly at the edges. Remove from the heat and stir in the sherry, lots of black pepper and the nutmeg.

Serve with the skewers of tomatoes, onions, bacon and bread for dipping.

bacon recipe source: Amy Thielen, "My Outdoors," Heartland Table, Food Network

3628. SKILLET CORN and EDAMAME with SPINACH and BACON

1 cup sweet corn
1 cup edamame
2 heaping handfuls of baby spinach
2 scallions, chopped
1/2 red sweet pepper, sliced and diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup red and orange cherry tomatoes
2 slices bacon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin

In a serving dish, place spinach to cover most of the dish. In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer to a dish lined with paper towels to absorb the oil. Break up into bits. Drain the skillet of most of the oil, reserving about a tablespoon. Add scallions to the hot skillet and sautee for about a minute. Add corn, edamame, sweet pepper, salt & pepper and cumin to the skillet. Sautee for about 4 minutes. Add cilantro and fold in gently. Add tomatoes and fold in and allow to warm through for about a minute. Using a large spoon, transfer the contents of the skillet to the bed of spinach. The heat from the salad will cause the spinach to soften nicely. Top the salad with the bacon bits. Serve warm and enjoy.


bacon recipe source: Lyn, Lovely Pantry (@LovelyPantry), January 13, 2013

3626. ORECCHIETTE with BACON, BLACK-EYED PEAS and SPINACH

makes eight servings 


1/2 pound bacon, frozen for 15 minutes and very thinly sliced crosswise 
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 
1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced 
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 
1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved 
2 cups drained canned or thawed frozen black-eyed peas 
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 
Salt 
Black pepper 
1 1/2 pounds dried orecchiette pasta 
5 ounces baby spinach 
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving 

In a medium skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, about 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet and heat the olive oil in it. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Scrape the garlic oil into a serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, black-eyed peas, vinegar and a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper to the bowl and toss well. 

In a large saucepan of salted boiling water, cook the orecchiette until al dente. Drain well. Add the pasta and the spinach to the tomato mixture and toss until the spinach is just wilted. Season the pasta generously with salt and black pepper and toss again. Sprinkle the bacon on top and serve, passing cheese at the table.


bacon recipe source: Food & Wine, January 2015

3608. ONION FLATBREAD with BACON and MESCLUN

makes eight servings


4 small red onions
1 tablespoon olive oil
170 grams cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup strong dark ale
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 25 cm packaged soft flatbreads
1 1/2 cups torn mesclun mix
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
6 slices crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled

 Peel and halve onions. Brush with oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Grill onions on the rack of a covered charcoal or gas grill directly over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until charred and slightly softened, turning once halfway through grilling. Cool.

In a bowl whisk together cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper until smooth. Chop two grilled onions; stir into cream cheese mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Quarter remaining two onions; set aside.

Grill flatbreads on rack of a covered grill directly over medium-high heat for 2 to 4 minutes or until crisp, turning once halfway through. Transfer to cutting board. Spread half of cream cheese mixture onto each flatbread. Top with arugula, tomatoes, bacon and quatered onions. Slice and serve.


bacon recipe source: The Breeze (@thebreezenz), Level 3/239 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland/PO Box 8880, Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand

3598. BUCATINI with BACON, CHERRY TOMATOES and SPRING ONION SAUCE

serves four


salt
1 pound bucatini
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling, plus 1 tablespoon
8 slices smoky bacon, chopped
3-4 spring Vidalia onions with a few inches of green tops intact, very thinly sliced or 2 leeks, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced, then washed and dried
4 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1 red chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped or 1 jalapeño or red Fresno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 pints ripe cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
black pepper
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley (a couple of handfuls), chopped
a handful of basil leaves, torn or shredded

a generous handful of grated Pecorino cheese, plus some to pass at table

Heat a large pot of water to a boil for bucatini, season water with salt then cook pasta to al dente.

In a deep skillet or Dutch oven with tight-fitting lid, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp; remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain off some fat if the pan has more than a couple of tablespoons of drippings. Add the sliced spring Vidalia onions or leeks, garlic and hot pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes, then add the tomatoes and stir to combine; cover the pan. Shake the pan occasionally and cook until the tomatoes begin to burst, 6-8 minutes. Uncover the pot and mash up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon, add the wine and stir for 1-2 minutes. Season the sauce with some salt and black pepper, to taste, then reduce the heat to low.

When the pasta is ready, add a ladle of the starchy cooking water to the sauce along with the parsley, bacon and bucatini and toss for 1-2 minutes with an extra tablespoon of olive oil. Turn off the heat and toss in the basil and cheese; serve immediately.

bacon recipe source: Rachael Ray.com, August 8, 2012

3562. WAX BEANS with BACON VINAIGRETTE

yields four servings


2 pounds wax beans
4 ounces bacon ends and pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh basil, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Snap the ends off the wax beans (the part that connects to the stem) and then snap the beans in half again.

Blanch the beans in a large pot of boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer to a bowl of ice water. When cool, drain.

Chop bacon into small cubes. In large skillet, cook bacon over medium high heat, stirring frequently. When it starts to brown, reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until all the pieces are done, about 20 minutes.

Transfer the cooked bacon pieces to a paper towel covered plate. Drain off excess grease in pan reserving anything that sticks to the pan. Over medium heat, cook the shallots and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes. Add sherry vinegar, stir, and cook for another two minutes. Add cooked bacon, tomatoes and blanched wax beans to the skillet and cook until warm.

Toss in basil, salt and pepper prior to serving.


bacon recipe source: Krissy Allori, Self Proclaimed Foodie (@SP_Foodie), November 19, 2014

3548. BACON and MUSHROOM CROISSANTS

serves two


2 croissants (ready made or part baked, doesn't matter) 
150 grams (~5 1/2 oz.) closed cup mushrooms 
4 cherry tomatoes 
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 
4 rashers of bacon 
Ground pepper (mill) or good pinch of pepper powder.

Turn on oven, to around 300ºF. Halve the croissants, but don't place in oven yet. Clean mushrooms with damp cloth. Slice mushrooms. Heat olive oil in wide pan to the point where a mushroom slice when dropped in will immediately start to sizzle. 

Add all mushrooms, and stir around with wooden spatula. Add about 12 to 18 twists of pepper from the pepper mill. Turn on grill. Keep stirring the mushrooms. They will soon start to give up their moisture, and the pan / oil temperature will drop to the boiling point of water. Keep on stirring till all the moisture is driven off, and all that is left is the oil and mushrooms. Keep cooking until the sliced mushrooms just start to brown. Turn down the pan heat to low. 

Place bacon and tomatoes under the grill. Grill bacon to taste and the tomato skins are just blackening on top. Half way through this, place the croissants in the oven. 

After about 3 minutes, remove the pre-sliced croissants from oven. With a fork, mash two cherry tomatoes onto one half of each of the two croissants. Layer two rashers of bacon over the tomatoes. Spoon the mushrooms over the bacon. Place the top half of the croissants over the mushrooms.


bacon recipe source: boscad (Good Food community member), BBC Good Food (@bbcgoodfood)

3547. GNOCCHI with BACON and ESCAROLE

yields four servings

 

 

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1 small head escarole, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 17 .5-ounce package potato gnocchi
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

 

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 7 minutes. Add the onion and continue cooking until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the escarole, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook until the escarole is completely wilted, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the gnocchi and add to the pot with the escarole mixture. Add the reserved cooking water and stir to coat, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, parmesan and parsley; season with salt and pepper.

bacon recipe source: Food Network Kitchen, Food Network Magazine

3543. GLUTEN-FREE SAVORY PORRIDGE with BACON, CHEDDAR, FRESH TOMATOES and CHIVES

serves four


8 slices bacon
1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup gluten-free steel-cut oats

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons for garnish
salt and fresh place pepper to taste

1 heaping cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

cayenne pepper sauce (optional)

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon in batches, turning frequently, until browned and crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel.

While bacon is cooking, bring milk, water, and stock just to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Stir in oats and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring regularly, for 25 to 30 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and oats are tender and cooked through. Stir in cheddar, chives, salt, and pepper and taste for seasoning. Just before serving, crumble bacon and stir into oatmeal. Top with cherry tomatoes and extra chives and serve cayenne pepper sauce on the side.


bacon recipe source: Brittany Risher (@Brittany_Risher), Shape, November 5, 2014

3420. WARM BIBB and BACON SALAD with MALTY-BEER VINAIGRETTE

serves four


6 bacon slices, chopped into ¼-inch slices
½ large red onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon aniseed
½ cup stout beer (or dark beer)
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup cherry tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large head of Bibb lettuce, washed and leaves torn

Sauté bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels and drain.

Reduce the skillet heat to moderate and leave approximately ⅓ of the bacon drippings in the pan. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.

When the onion is ready, add the sugar and aniseed, and cook until the onion is caramelized. Deglaze the pan by adding the beer and balsamic vinegar, and simmer until sauce slightly thickens, about 3 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they are softened slightly but still firm, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

To serve, arrange the Bibb lettuce on a plate, and top with the tomato and vinaigrette mix. Sprinkle with bacon and serve.

bacon recipe source: Sur La Table: The Art & Soul of Cooking, PO Box 840, Brownsburg, IN 46112

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)

3390. GRILLED BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN with SUN GOLD CHERRY TOMATO SAUCE and AVOCADO

makes four servings


2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to ½ inch thick
4 slices of thick applewood bacon
1 pint of sun gold cherry tomatoes, each sliced in half
1 garlic clove, minced
1 avocado, thinly sliced
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh basil, torn
salt
pepper

Preheat the grill to medium low heat.

Drizzle a little oil over each chicken breast. Season with salt and pepper. Gently and loosely wrap each breast with 1 slice of bacon. Place the chicken on the grill and let cook for approximately 10 minutes per side or until the chicken is opaque and the bacon is crispy.

While the chicken is cooking, add 1 tablespoon of oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Toss in tomatoes and slowly cook them until they have broken down and released their juices. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, stir in basil.

Plate chicken. Pour sauce over top and garnish with avocado.


bacon recipe source: Nicole, A Family That Eats Together, June 28, 2013

3329. WARM YELLOW WAX BEANS in BACON VINAIGRETTE

yields 6-8 servings 


2 pounds yellow wax beans, trimmed 
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
4 ounces thickly sliced bacon, cut into lardons (1 cup) 
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar 
10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved 
1 small shallot, very finely chopped 
2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped 
1/3 cup chopped basil 
Kosher salt 
freshly ground pepper 

Cook the beans in a large pot of salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the beans and cool them under cold running water. Drain well and pat dry; transfer the beans to a large bowl. 

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the bacon and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the vinegar, tomatoes, shallot, garlic and basil. Scrape the bacon vinaigrette over the beans, season with salt and pepper and toss to evenly coat. Serve warm.


bacon recipe source: Jody Williams, Food & Wine, April 2014

3184. BLACKENED SWORDFISH with MAQUE CHOUX and BACON

3–4 swordfish steaks
2 tablespoons blackening seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups frozen corn
1 red pepper, diced
1 red onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
3 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup white wine
3/4 cup chicken stock
salt and pepper
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
4 scallions, sliced
5 slices cooked bacon, crumbed

Place skillet on griddle. Preheat grill over high heat. Pat swordfish dry with paper towels and season both sides with blackening seasoning. Prep all of your veggies and supplies for the grill. Pour olive oil in skillet and using a glove, swirl. Add the peppers, onions, and celery and cook 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the butter and melt. Add the flour and cook until golden, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Add the chicken stock and mix to combine. This will form a thick sauce over everything. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the beans and tomatoes. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes longer. Add a dash or two more of chicken stock if needed to thin things out. Stir in the scallions and bacon. Meanwhile, carefully oil the side of the grill not in use and cook swordfish 3 minutes per side. Serve over maque choux.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kita Roberts, Girl Carnivore, June 5, 2013; adapted from Guy Fieri Food: Cookin' It, Livin' It, Lovin' It

3114. ROASTED HALLOUMI, BACON and TOMATO SALAD

serves four


250 grams haloumi, sliced
4 rashers bacon, rind removed
200 grams sourdough bread, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
250 grams truss cherry tomatoes
80 grams baby spinach leaves

Dressing 
½ cup (125ml) red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed

Preheat oven to 220ºC (425ºF). To make the dressing, place the vinegar, oil and garlic in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. Place the haloumi, bacon, bread and olive oil on a baking tray and toss to combine. Roast for 5–6 minutes. Turn the haloumi and add the tomatoes. Roast for a further 6–8 minutes or until the tomatoes are cooked and the croutons are golden. Place in a bowl with the baby spinach and dressing and toss to combine.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Donna Hay, Level 5, 83-97 Kippax Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia

3043. BACON, TOMATO and FARRO SALAD

makes six servings


1 cup farro, or quick-cooking barley
2 slices center-cut bacon
1 medium shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Place farro (or barley) in a medium saucepan; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes for farro (about 10 minutes for barley). Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; leave the fat in the pan. Add shallot to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in vinegar, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Crumble or chop the bacon. Add to the bowl along with tomatoes, basil and the warm vinaigrette; gently stir to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.


bacon recipe courtesy of: EatingWell, May/June 2013