3686. CHILI WAFFLE SANDWICHES with CHEESY SCRAMBLED EGGS, BACON and AVOCADO

makes four sandwiches 


For the Chili Waffles:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon sambal oelek (or other chili garlic paste)
1 tablespoon Sriracha chili sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled 

For the Cheesy Eggs:
1 tablespoon butter
8 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar 

For the Sandwiches:
8 strips bacon, cooked
2 avocados, sliced
1 lime, cut into sections 

For the Chili Waffles: Preheat a waffle iron. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl whisk together milk, eggs, sambal oelek, sriracha, and butter.

Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and whisk until just smooth. Pour half the batter onto the waffle iron and cook until waffle is golden brown and crisp. Repeat with remaining batter. This amount of batter will be enough to make two large, round, deep grooved waffles. Depending on your waffle iron you need to divide the batter differently. 

For the Cheesy Eggs: In a medium non-stick skillet over medium high heat, melt butter, then stir in eggs and cheese. Cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until the eggs are soft but still slightly runny. Remove from heat. 

For the Sandwiches: Place 2 pieces of waffle on each plate, then divide the bacon between each piece of waffle, place the scrambled eggs on top of the bacon, then top the eggs with sliced avocado and squeeze the lime over top. Scatter sliced scallions over each plate and serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Sydney Oland (@sydneyoland), Serious Eats, May 4, 2013

3326. SPICY CHICKEN THIGHS and BACON STIR FRY

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2" pieces

1 large egg white

1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch

1/2 lb bacon, cut into 1 1/2" pieces

1" fresh ginger, cut into tiny matchsticks

2 bell peppers, any color, stemmed and cut into 1" pieces

1 bunch of green onions, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2" pieces

1 tablespoon chili paste
2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce



In a large bowl, whisk together the arrowroot and the egg white. Toss the chicken pieces in this mixture and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar and chili paste and set aside.



Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook, stirring frequently, until they are crisp and browned, approximately 7 minutes. Without draining the oil, add the chicken and the ginger to the pan. Cook over high heat until browned, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add the bell peppers and green onions and stir to combine. Cook over high heat, stirring until crisp tender.



Add the soy sauce mixture and stir to combine. Cook about two more minutes, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the meat and vegetables.


bacon recipe source: Mary Younkin, Barefeet In The Kitchen, January 6, 2012

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