3998. APPLE BROWN BETTY with MAPLE-BACON FROZEN CUSTARD

Yield: One 9 x 9-inch Brown Betty, about 10 servings

Maple–Bacon Frozen Custard:

3 slices bacon

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon water

5 egg yolks

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup half and half cream

1 tablespoon bourbon

Apple Brown Betty:

1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Pinch cinnamon

Pinch nutmeg

Pinch cloves

6 tart apples (such as King David), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick

1 cup panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated aged cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon unsalted melted butter

Butter at room temperature for prepping the cake pan

To make the frozen custard, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lay the bacon on a sheet tray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy. Drain the bacon on a rack or paper towels and let cool. Chop very finely and set aside.

Place the brown sugar, maple syrup, and water in a small saucepan and heat to 250ºF. Remove from the heat and add the chopped bacon. Stir quickly to combine, then pour onto silpat or cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Let cool. (This will take about 20 minutes.) When the mixture has cooled and hardened, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar. Combine the heavy cream, half and half, and bourbon in a small sauce pot and heat over medium heat until just beginning to bubble. Slowly pour the hot cream into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the pot and cook over very low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Allow the mixture to cool in the refrigerator overnight. Process the custard in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Mix in the pieces of candied bacon. Store in the freezer until needed.

To prepare the Brown Betty, preheat the oven to 325ºF. Mix together 1/4 cup of the sugar, lemon juice, flour, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a large mixing bowl. Add the apple slices and toss to coat. In a separate bowl, mix together the panko, cheese, melted butter, and remaining sugar.

Grease a 9 x 9-inch pan with butter. Make a one-inch-thick layer of apple slices on the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with the bread crumb mixture. Add another layer of apple slices and top with the remaining bread crumbs. Bake for 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

To serve, scoop out individual portions of the Brown Betty and place on serving plates. Top each serving with a scoop of maple–bacon frozen custard.

bacon recipe source: Tory Miller, L’Etoile, Madison, WI; James Beard Foundation

3964. VANILLA THYME CRÈME BRÛLÉE with CANDIED BACON

Crème Brûlée

1⅓ cups (330 ml) heavy cream

⅔ cup (160 ml) whole or low-fat milk

¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar, plus more for caramelizing

Pinch sea salt or kosher salt

4 large egg yolks

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

1 tsp of fresh thyme

Candied Bacon

6 thick cut slices of bacon

⅓ cup (65g) of dark brown sugar

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

1 cup of heavy whipping cream

2 tbsp of powdered sugar

1 tsp of cinnamon

Crème Brûlée

On the stovetop, gently warm the milk, cream, salt and sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar melts.

Once the cream mixture starts to steam, but not boil, remove from heat and whisk in the scraped vanilla and fresh thyme. Drop in the split pod and let it rest for 30 minutes.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks together lightly. Remove the pod from the cream mixture and gradually add to the egg yolks until completely blended.

Pour the mixture into each dish until you almost reach the top of each and place them on a baking sheet with walls high enough to hold water up to the middle of each dish. Pour the hot water into the baking sheet and place into the oven for approximately 30-35 minutes. They should each barely quiver when you tap the sheet.

Remove the custards and let them rest on a cooling rack. When cool, refrigerate for approximately an hour (covered with plastic wrap if doing so overnight)

Candied Bacon

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F

In a medium sized mixing bowl, toss the bacon and brown sugar until all slices are evenly covered. Arrange each slice on a baking sheet lined with foil about an inch apart and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Check it at the 20 minute mark to see if it's looks crispy. It will continue to crisp once it's out of the oven.

When ready, place on a cooling rack and allow the brown sugar coating to harden.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Combine cream, sugar and cinnamon to a medium sized mixing bowl and whisk (or use a hand mixer) until soft peaks form. I chilled ours for 15 minutes (while the bacon rested).

Caramelizing the Sugar

Before serving, add 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar to the top of each cooled custard and tilt until the entire top is covered lightly. Using a torch, wave over the sugar and tilt slightly until it melts and browns. Be careful will shifting the dish as the liquid sugar is very hot. Once caramelized, add the whipped cream and bacon.

bacon recipe source: Thyme & Temp (@thymeandtemp), April 26, 2015

3958. PUMPKIN HONEY CORNBREAD with GUAJILLO CHILES and BACON

1 Dried Guajillo Pepper

1 Cup Very Hot Water

2 Strips Bacon

1 Egg

1 Cup Milk (Buttermilk or any other dairy milk)

1/3 Cup Honey

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

1/2 Cup Pumpkin

1/2 Tbsp Cinnamon

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Yellow Cornmeal

1/4 Tsp Salt

3 Tsp Baking Powder

Preheat the oven to 400. Place a cast iron skillet or heavy oven proof pan on medium heat. Slice off the stem of the guajillo and run your knife down the pepper lengthwise. Remove the seeds, place in a bowl, and pour the hot water over it. Let soak for 25 minutes or until soft.

Place the bacon in the pan and cook. Remove from the pan and drain off the excess fat, leaving a thin coating. Crumble the bacon and set aside.

Combine egg, milk, vegetable oil, honey, pumpkin and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, salt and powder. Add the flour to the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Thinly slice the pepper and add it to the mixture along with the bacon and stir to incorporate.

Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

bacon recipe source: Corrine Soave, Daily Ciabatta (@dailyciabatta), October 2015

3931. APPLE BACON GALETTE

Yield:
 8 servings





6 slices bacon

1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/2 cup sugar

5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

4 assorted apples (such as McIntosh and Granny Smith)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 large egg, beaten

Maple syrup, for brushing



Make the crust: Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until golden but still soft, about 6 minutes; remove to paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the drippings in a small bowl; refrigerate until cold, about 15 minutes.



Pulse 2 slices of the bacon in a food processor until finely ground. Add 1 1/2 cups flour and 2 tablespoons sugar and pulse to combine. Add the chilled bacon drippings and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal with some pea-size pieces. Drizzle in 4 tablespoons cold water and pulse until the dough just comes together. Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap; use the plastic to help form the dough into a disk. Wrap and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.



Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the dough into a 13-inch round between 2 sheets of lightly floured parchment. Peel off the top sheet of parchment, then invert the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Peel off the sheet of parchment. Refrigerate the dough until ready to use.



Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Make the filling: Peel the apples and slice 1/4 inch thick. Toss with the lemon juice, cinnamon, 3 tablespoons sugar and the remaining 1 tablespoon flour in a large bowl. Arrange the apples in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the edge of the dough over the filling, pleating as needed. Cut the remaining 4 slices bacon into bite-size pieces and sprinkle over the filling.



Brush the crust with the egg and sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar over the whole galette. Bake until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown, about 50 minutes. (Tent loosely with foil if the filling gets too brown.) Remove from the oven and brush the filling with maple syrup while still hot. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly before serving.
 


bacon recipe source: Food Network Kitchen/Food Network Magazine

3907. BLUEBERRY BACON BREAKFAST CAKE

makes a 9×13 dish


6 slices thick-cut bacon
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons bacon fat, cooled
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 ounces fresh blueberries (frozen work too – just thaw and pay completely dry)

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add bacon. Fry until completely crisp and fat is rendered. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel to drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon and mix thoroughly. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk butter and bacon fat with sugar until combined. Whisk in eggs until completely smooth, then whisk in vanilla extract. Slowly add dry ingredients, mixing with a large spoon. Add in milk and stir until combined. Toss blueberries with 1-2 tablespoons of flour. Fold in bacon and blueberries, then pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake for 30-33 minutes, or until golden on the sides and top. Remove cake and poke holes on top with a toothpick. Pour glaze over top, reserving a bit extra for topping if desired.

Cream Cheese Glaze
1/2 cup whipped cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk
Add softened cream cheese to a bowl and whisk until smooth. Add in milk and vanilla, mixing until combined, then begin to stir in powdered sugar. If mixture is too thick, add additional milk 1 teaspoon at a time. If it is too thin, add in powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.


bacon recipe source: Jessica Merchant, How Sweet It Is (@HowSweetBlog), April 17, 2012

3891. SPICED and SWEET LENTILS with BACON


Serves four as a side dish


8 strips of 1/4-inch cut bacon (about a half-pound, a little less)

1-2 red onions, diced

1/2 teaspoon chicken base (optional, if you want a deeper chicken flavor)

1/2 cup white wine

1 1/4 cups dry green lentils

3 cups chicken stock

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons real maple syrup

3-4 green onions, sliced thinly

Sauté the bacon over medium heat until brown and just starting to get crispy around the edges, 12-15 minutes. Add in red onions and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in chicken base.

Deglaze with wine and add lentils. Then add the stock, and stir in the seasonings. Cook lentils over medium heat, stirring periodically, until lentils are al dente and almost all the liquid has been soaked up, about 25-30 minutes. Off of the heat, stir in the maple syrup and season to taste.

Pour onto a sheet pan to cool. After a minute or two, sprinkle the sliced green onions on top and stir them into the lentils.


bacon recipe source: the moveable feasts, October 13, 2011; adapted from Asado Restaurant, 2810 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406

3883. BACON BOURBON FRUITCAKE

1 c raisins
1 c chopped, pitted dates
1 c chopped dried apples
1 c bourbon
1 c brown sugar
6 T butter
4 T bacon grease (see syrup recipe below)
1 c apple juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 ¾ c all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
¼ to ½ cup toasted pecans, broken

Bourbon Maple Bacon syrup
1 lb bacon, thick cut, double smoked, cut to ½ inch pieces
6 oz bourbon
1 ½ c maple syrup

Fry bacon (in 2 batches, if needed) over medium heat until golden brown. Drain off a good portion of the grease and set aside for later use in the fruitcake. OFF THE HEAT, CAREFULLY add the bourbon to bacon in the pan, stirring and scraping the bits off the bottom. Add in your maple syrup and stir. Increase heat to med/high until bubbling well. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for a bit. Transfer to a container and cover, refrigerate overnight.

The next day, skim the fat from the surface and using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the syrup mixture for use in fruitcake. Refrigerate syrup until you’re ready to baste the cakes.

Fruitcake:

Combine dried fruits, add bourbon and macerate overnight or microwave 5 minutes to rehydrate fruit.

Place fruit and liquid in a non-reactive pot with the sugar, butter, bacon grease, apple juice and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a boil stirring often, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for at least 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325.

Combine dry ingredients and stir carefully into the fruit mixture. When combined, stir in eggs one at a time, then fold in nuts and reserved bacon. Try not to overmix. Spoon into a 10 inch non-stick loaf pan and bake for 1 hour, or mini loaf pans and check doneness after 20 minutes with a toothpick.

remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. Baste with Bourbon Maple Bacon syrup and let cool completely before turning out of the pan.

When it is completely cool, place in a tight sealing, food safe container and put in the refrigerator. Once or twice a day for 3 days, baste the cake on all sides with syrup mixture.


bacon recipe source: Megan Schettler Schug, "Bacon Saves the Fruitcake!", KIOA 93.3, Iowa, November 27, 2013

3874. CHOCOLATE-OATMEAL CUPCAKES with MAPLE-BACON BUTTER CREAM

For the Cupcakes:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature, more for pans

1 cup cake flour or all-purpose flour

'2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped, or chocolate chips

3 tablespoons uncooked instant oatmeal

For the Frosting:

8 thick strips bacon, in 1/4-inch dice

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons heavy cream

2 tablespoons crème fraîche

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

Flaky salt or fleur de sel, for garnish.

To make cupcakes, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 12-cup muffin tin and line with cupcake liners; set aside. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; set aside.

In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine butter, both sugars and salt. Cream on medium speed until light and fluffy, 5 minutes. With machine running, add eggs one at a time, and mix until well incorporated, 2 minutes. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, turn mixer speed to low, and add 1/4 of the dry ingredients. When no traces of flour remain, add 1/3 of the buttermilk and mix until incorporated.

Continue alternating flour mixture and buttermilk, ending with flour. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, and gently mix in chopped chocolate and oatmeal. Divide among muffin cups; each should be 3/4 full. Bake until a tester comes out clean, 30 minutes. Turn out of tin and cool completely on a wire rack.

To make frosting, in a heavy skillet, cook bacon over low heat until fat is rendered and meat is crisp. Set a sieve over bowl of mixer, and pour skillet contents into sieve. Reserve bacon bits. You should have no more than 3 tablespoons bacon fat in mixer bowl; set aside additional bacon fat for another use.

Return skillet to heat and add butter. Butter will melt, then foam, then separate into golden liquid and white solids. Let butter cook, scraping bottom of pan occasionally to prevent burning, until milk solids toast and turn brown. Transfer browned butter to mixer bowl and refrigerate until cold.

In separate bowl, combine milk, cream, crème fraîche, vanilla and maple syrup. In mixer bowl, cream bacon fat and brown butter with salt until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix at medium speed until fluffy, about 8 minutes. With mixer running, pour in milk mixture and continue mixing until smooth. Refrigerate until cold.

With small offset spatula, fluff frosting until soft and spreadable but not runny. Spread about 3 tablespoons frosting on each cooled cupcake. Sprinkle a pinch of bacon bits and a pinch of flaky salt on top. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 6 hours.


bacon recipe source: Erin Cooks, February 22, 2009; adapted from The New York Times, February 18, 2009

3859. SMOKY BACON, BLACK BEANS and GREENS QUESADILLAS with PICO DE GALLO

Serves 4


6 slices smoky, meaty bacon, chopped, divided

1 large yellow or white onion, chopped, divided

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bunch chard or flat kale (such as lacinato), stemmed and chopped (about 5 to 6 cups)

Salt and pepper

Olive oil or canola oil, for drizzling and brushing

2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped, divided

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander (about half a palmful)

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin (about half a palmful)

A pinch of ground cinnamon

1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed

1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

3 plum tomatoes, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped

4 large, 10- to 12-inch whole-wheat tortillas

1 8-ounce brick pepper Jack or Monterey Jack, shredded (about 2 cups)

Sour cream


In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high, stirring often, until crispy, about 8 minutes. Add about three-quarters of the yellow onion and half the garlic; stir until the onion softens, 2-3 minutes. Add the greens and stir until wilted, 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Wipe the skillet clean and reserve.



In a small saucepan, heat a drizzle of oil over medium. Add the remaining yellow onion and garlic, and half the jalapeño; stir until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the coriander, cumin and cinnamon. Add the beans and season. Cover and keep warm over low heat.



For the pico de gallo, in a medium bowl, mix the remaining jalapeño, the red onion, tomatoes and cilantro; season with salt.



Brush the reserved skillet with a little oil; heat over medium-high. Add 1 tortilla to the skillet and cook until blistered, about 1 minute. Turn; cover half the tortilla with about 1/3 cup cheese, then top with a quarter of both the greens mixture and the bean mixture. Sprinkle with a few more tablespoons of cheese. Fold over and cook, pressing down and turning, until the cheese melts and the quesadilla is brown and crispy, 2-3 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and fillings. 


Cut the quesadillas into quarters and top with the pico and sour cream.



bacon recipe source: Rachael Ray, Every Day with Rachael Ray, September 2015

3828. BACON CINNAMON BUNS

For the dough
2 1/4 cup + 1 cup all purpose flour
1 envelope instant yeast
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup margarine
1 egg

For the filling
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup chopped bacon [reserve 1/2 cup to sprinkle on top]

For the glaze
1 cup icing sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon milk

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook mix 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.

Heat milk, water, margarine until warm and add to the flour mixture followed by the egg.

Once the mixture begins to come together add the remaining 1 cup of flour until a soft dough is formed.

Knead dough for 5-10 minutes then let rest for an hour, covered.

Once the dough has doubled in size roll into a thin square and begin to add the filling.

Start with the margarine, brown sugar, cinnamon and lastly the bacon bits.

Roll dough and cut into 2 inch slices.

Place in a 9x12 square baking dish and let rest a second time for 30 minutes, covered.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

While the cinnamon buns are baking, make the glaze by whisking the icing sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and milk in a mixing bowl. to get to desired consistency either add more icing sugar or more milk.

Brush the cinnamon buns with the glaze hot from the oven and sprinkle with remaining bacon bits.


bacon recipe source: Hey Modest Marce (@modestmarce), May 23, 2015

3800. BACON-BOURBON APPLE PIE

makes 10 servings

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

3/4 cup flour, divided

6 Tbsp. cold butter, divided

5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 ready-to-use refrigerated pie crust (1/2 of 14.1-oz. pkg.)

6 cups sliced peeled Golden Delicious apples (about 6 apples)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. bourbon

1 tsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Mix brown sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 cup flour in medium bowl. Cut in 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in bacon.

Place crust in 9-inch pie plate as directed on package for one-crust filled pie. Place apples in large bowl. Add granulated sugar, remaining flour, bourbon and vanilla; mix lightly Spoon into crust. Cut remaining butter into small pieces; place evenly over apples. Cover with crumb topping. Place on baking sheet.

Bake 30 min. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF; bake 30 min. or until apples are tender. Cool.

bacon recipe source: Kraft Foods, Kraft Foods Global, Inc., Three Lakes Drive, Northfield, Illinois 60093, June 30, 2011

3794. MANGALOREAN BEEF and BACON GRAVY

serves 3

1 pound beef chuck cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

2 tablespoon ginger paste

2 tablespoon garlic paste

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon white vinegar

Kosher salt

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)

3 cloves

1 inch cinnamon stick

1 cup water

2 large onions cubed (about 3 cups)

3 small green chillies (such as Thai bird) slit lengthwise

1 tablespoon red chilli powder

¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

½ pound bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup tomato puree

1/2 cup water

Combine meat, ginger paste, garlic paste, pepper, vinegar, and 2 teaspoons salt.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in pressure cooker on medium high heat until shimmering. Add cloves and cinnamon and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the marinated beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes Add 1 cup water and close pressure cooker. Cook over high pressure for 45 minutes, then release pressure and allow steam to escape. Transfer beef and juices to a large bowl.

Wipe out pressure cooker, add remaining oil, and return to medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add green chillis and stir until fragrant-about 2 minutes. Add red chilli and turmeric powder and stir vigorously, so as not to burn the spices and cook for 1 minute. If they tend to stick or discolor add a few drops of water. Add the bacon and stir until the bacon begins to render, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato puree and cook, stirring, until the oil is fragrant and separates from the mixture, about 5 minutes. Add water, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Return the beef and its juices to the pot and allow the whole dish to cook for another 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt if necessary, and serve with bread or rice.

bacon recipe source: Denise D'Silva Sankhe, Serious Eats (@seriouseats), November 20, 2012

3787. MAPLE BACON BLUEBERRY PORRIDGE

40g oats

250ml milk 

1 rasher of bacon

30 ml maple syrup

2 tsp cinnamon

1 egg

blueberry compote (in recipe below)

Heat a frying pan, once very hot add your bacon and cook until crispy, remove from pan and dice your bacon until  it resembles large crumbs. Return to pan for another 20 seconds to ensure it is completely crispy (this adds a nice crunch to your porridge!). Once you are happy with your bacon place on a piece of kitchen roll and leave to one side.

Make your blueberry compote, this can be made in advance and left in the fridge for a day or two, until you need it. To make the compote, simply place your blueberries in a pan with a tiny splash of water and simmer on a low heat until you reach a jam like consistency. This can be served either hot or cold on your porridge.

Place the oats in your pan along with the milk, simmer on a low heat, stirring continuously, add extra milk until you reach your desired consistency. Once you are happy with the consistency of your porridge it is time to add the egg. Break this straight into your porridge pan and mix in over a low heat, the addition of the egg gives a real creamy custard like effect to the dish, and adds a little richness! Then add your seasoning, your cinnamon and maple syrup, add a little more of either if you fancy it a little sweeter.

To plate this dish, simply pour your porridge into a bowl, top with your blueberry compote and scatter your extra crispy bacon on top, drizzle a tiny bit of maple syrup and a light dusting of cinnamon and you are good to go!

bacon recipe source: Rude Health, September 15, 2015; created by Anna of Lunch Box London for the Rude Health London Porridge Championships

3786. SWEET FRENCH TOAST with BACON

Serves 2

4 slices premium center-cut or thick-cut bacon

2/3 cup milk

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

4 slices hearty whole-grain bread

Butter for frying

Berries (strawberries or blueberries are good) or apple slices (optional)

2 Tbsp real maple syrup

Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C. Put the bacon in the oven; bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until crispy. Remove from oven and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

While bacon is cooking, combine milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a pie plate or shallow bowl; whisk until well blended.

Dip 2 bread slices into egg mixture and let stand 30 seconds to absorb the liquid. Flip bread over and let stand in mixture another 30 seconds.

Heat the butter in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat until melted (but be careful not to burn it). Add 2 dipped bread slices and cook for 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Flip over and continue cooking for 1 minute or until done. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with remaining 2 bread slices.

On each plate, place 2 strips of bacon and 2 slices of French toast. Garnish with berries or apple slices, if you'd like, and serve with syrup.

bacon recipe source: philippagraham51 (member), BBC Good Food

3741. BACON BITTERS

2 cups bourbon (Everclear, or Wild Turkey 101)

1/2 lb. bacon

4 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoons cinchona bark

1 teaspoon cassia chips

1/2 teaspoon gentian root

1 tablespoon black walnut leaf

In a skillet over medium heat, sear off the bacon.  Remove and drain thoroughly on a paper towel.  Diced. In a 1-quart glass jar, combine all of the ingredients. Cover and shake well. Let stand in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Strain the infused alcohol into a clean 1-quart glass jar through a cheesecloth-lined funnel. Squeeze any infused alcohol from the cheesecloth into the jar; reserve the solids. Strain the infused alcohol again through new cheesecloth into another clean jar to remove any remaining sediment. Cover the jar and set aside for 1 week.

bacon recipe source: Brian, Whit's Amuse Bouche (@WhitAmuseBouche), July 12, 2012

3714. CHILI BACON JAM

makes two cups


600 grams (1 1/2 lb) good quality smoked rasher bacon
4 eschallots (brown shallots), thinly sliced
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 bay leaves
3/4 cup (6 fl oz) whisky (substitute with brandy, or just water if preferred)
2/3 cup (7 fl oz) strong brewed coffee
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Cut your bacon rashers into one inch pieces, then fry them in a large pot with a splash of oil until the meat is crisped and the fat has rendered out. Remove with a slotted spoon, then drain on paper towels. Set aside.

Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pot. Add in your shallots and garlic over medium heat, and cook until the shallots are translucent. Add in the spices, brown sugar, chosen alcohol (if using) and a pinch of salt, cook for 3-4 minutes before adding in your other liquid ingredients: vinegar, coffee and maple syrup. Bring to the boil, then allow the liquid to reduce slightly for about five minutes.

Add in your reserved bacon, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes before stirring and allowing the mixture to evaporate. Cook for a further 30 minutes, or until the mixture is darkened, syrupy and fragrant.

Once at the desired consistency, allow the mixture to cool. Skim any oil off the surface with a spoon, and discard it alongside the bay leaves.

Transfer your cooled mixture to the bowl of a food processor. Process until it reaches the consistency of a chunky jam; you should still be able to see crunchy, crisp little bits of bacon amongst the syrupy, boozy spiced shallots. Taste, and add extra salt or pepper as required.


bacon recipe source: Laura's Mess, August 12, 2012

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

3672. DUTCH APPLE BABY with BLACKBERRY HOISIN BACON

serves six


1 lb thick slice bacon

2 large apples

4 tablespoons granulated sugar divided

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/3 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup flour

1/2 package salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 large eggs

1 cup blackberry jam

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

2 tablespoons coarse ground mustard

powdered sugar garnish

maple or blackberry syrup

 

For the bacon: Preheat oven 500ºF. Place 10 slice bacon on a parchment lined baking sheet lengthwise, pull bacon to stretch about half its original length (this helps with shrinkage during the cooking process) don't allow bacon to go over sheet pan edges In a small bowl add, mustard, blackberry jam, hoisin sauce, and 2 tablespoon brown sugar, stir to combine. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of jam mixture over each piece of bacon, using a basting brush spread the jam mixture to coat the entire side of bacon, flip bacon over and repeat this process. To cook, cover the bacon with an additional sheet/baking pan laying the bottom of the pan directly on top of the bacon. Place pans in oven and par-cook bacon for 5-6 minutes or until hot and bubbling but not browned. Remove from oven and set aside until ready to use. Reduce oven heat to 400ºF. Brown remaining bacon slices and crumble for garnish.

 

For the batter: Peel and core apples, cut them into slices then slice into halves and thirds (about 3 cups apples) In a small mixing bowl combine 3 tablespoon sugar with cinnamon and ginger, set aside until ready to use. Cut butter into chunks and place in a deep cast iron skillet. Put the skillet into the oven for 3-4 minutes or until the butter is melted and skillet is hot. Remove skillet from oven, sprinkle bottom of pan with about 1/3 brown sugar mixture. Carefully spread apples over the bottom of the skillet and sprinkle remaining sugar over apples. Put skillet back into the oven, cook for 5-8 minutes to caramelize apples (you should be able to complete the next step while apples are caramelizing)

 

Whisk flour with remaining tablespoon sugar, salt and nutmeg. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. When flour batter is smooth, beat in vanilla and eggs one by one. Beat by hand for approximately 2 minutes. Let batter rest for 5 minutes. Remove apples from the oven
 

Add one strip of bacon to the bottom of the skillet at a time trying not to overlap the pieces, arrange in a star or spoke pattern so that when sliced each piece will have a slice of bacon cooked into the batter. It may be necessary to cut bacon to fit skillet. Try not to go over the edge of the skillet to keep bacon from becoming too darkened while cooking. Pour batter over bacon and caramelized apples, bake in the 400º oven for 20 minutes or center is set and sides are golden brown. The pancake will puff dramatically while baking but fall within a few minutes after baking. Slice pancake into 6 pieces, sprinkle with powder sugar, bacon bites and serve with blackberry or maple syrup.

 

 

bacon recipe source: Rebecka Evans (member), Just a Pinch

3662. HONEY-GLAZED CORNISH HENS with SMOKY GUAJILLO and BACON SALSA

Honey glazed hens

1 cup honey


1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (comino)


dash liquid smoke flavoring (optional)


1 stick cinnamon


6 Cornish hens, rinsed and dried


1 tablespoon cornbread crumbs or finely ground corn tortillas (optional)

smoky guajillo and bacon salsa (recipe below)

Note: The glaze must be prepared a day ahead. The hens should be cooked and served the same day.

To make glaze, warm honey over low to medium-low heat and stir in cumin, liquid smoke, and cinnamon stick. Remove from heat and let sit at room temperature, covered, for 24 hours. Reserve 1 to 2 tablespoons for guajillo salsa.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove neck and giblets, if any, from hens. Place hens on a rack and roast for about 35 minutes, basting with comino-honey glaze about every 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cornbread crumbs (this creates a nice crust) and continue baking until juices run clear when bird is pierced, about 10 more minutes. Remove from oven, reserving juices for guajillo salsa.

Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Salsa

4 garlic cloves, unpeeled


12 guajillo chiles


1 teaspoon dried oregano


3 cups chicken broth, homemade or canned (may include cooking juices from Cornish hens)


4 ounces smoked slab bacon (or 6 thick slices), diced


dash liquid smoke (optional)


salt to taste


1 to 2 tablespoons comino honey

Note: The salsa may be prepared a day or more ahead.

Roast garlic cloves on a comal or in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until soft, about 10 minutes. Let cool and peel.

Toast chiles for a minute or two on a comal over medium-high heat. Transfer to a bowl and cover with hot water to rehydrate for 20 minutes. Pour off water, destem chiles, and transfer to a blender with roasted garlic, oregano, and 1 cup broth. Blend until smooth and put through a medium strainer.

In a heavy-bottomed pan, cook bacon over medium-high heat until all fat has been rendered. Remove bacon pieces, then pour strained chile mixture into bacon fat and cook over medium heat, stirring, for about 5 minutes. Add 1 more cup broth and the liquid smoke and continue cooking until salsa is reduced by half, about 40 minutes; if mixture becomes too thick, thin with up to 1 more cup broth. Finish by stirring in salt and comino honey. Serve as an accompaniment to Cornish hens.

bacon recipe source: "Season's Eatings," Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly), December 2000

3657. NUTELLA and BACON STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

yields four servings


8 slices thick cut bacon
1 medium-sized loaf challah, sliced into 8 pieces about ¾-inch thick
4 heaping tablespoons Nutella
3 large eggs
½ cup half and half
½ cup whole milk
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, packed
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter

Maple syrup for serving

Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with cooking spray and arrange the bacon in an even layer. Transfer the bacon to the oven and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Carefully remove bacon from the oven and transfer the strips to a paper towel lined plate to drain. When cool, crumble into small pieces and briefly set aside.

Slice the challah into 8 pieces about ¾-inches thick.

Now it’s time to “stuff” your French toast, which essentially means making Nutella and bacon sandwiches. For each sandwich: Spread one side of two pieces of bread with a heaping teaspoon of Nutella. Sprinkle 2 pieces of crumbled bacon on one of the slices of bread. Sandwich the two pieces of bread together, making sure that they are well sealed.

In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the eggs, half and half, whole milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set it on the counter next to the stove. Place a large pan over medium-low heat.

Add two of the Bacon-Nutella sandwiches to the custard mixture and let soak for 1 minute. Use a spatula to flip the sandwiches over and soak for 1 more minute on the other side.

While the bread is soaking, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan. When it’s melted and foaming slightly, remove each sandwich from the custard, holding it over the baking dish for a few seconds to let any excess custard drip off. Place the sandwiches gently in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. (Keep a close eye on your French toast while it cooks, friends! Burning it is a bummer.)

When the first batch of stuffed French toast is almost finished cooking, place the remaining two sandwiches in the custard to soak. Repeat the cooking process with the second batch.

Serve your Bacon and Nutella Stuffed French Toast warm. Top with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup and brace yourself...

bacon recipe source: Serena Wolf (@serenagwolf), Domesticate Me, March 20, 2014