3856. GREEN BEANS with GOAT CHEESE, CRANBERRIES and BACON

Servings 8


1/4 pound bacon, roughly chopped
1 1/2 pound green beans, washed and trimmed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1 (4-ounce) log goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to let drain. 

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and transfer to a large platter. Scatter bacon, cranberries, goat cheese and parsley over the top and serve.


bacon recipe source: Whole Foods Market, Whole Foods Market, Inc., 550 Bowie Street, Austin, Texas 78703-4644

3748. BACON-CRANBERRY SAUCE

makes 12 servings

1 pound bacon, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 large yellow onion, diced

1/2 cup orange juice

12-ounce bag fresh or frozen cranberries

1 large or 2 small apples, peeled, cored and diced

1/2 cup sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large saucepan over medium-high, cook the bacon until lightly crisped, 10 to 12 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate and set aside, leaving the saucepan and bacon fat over the heat. Carefully add the onion and cook until lightly fried, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onions to the plate with the bacon.

Dispose of the fat in the pan, but don't scrape the pan. You want any browned bits on the bottom.

Return the pan to the heat. When the pan is hot, carefully add the orange juice and bring to a simmer while using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to scrap up the bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the cranberries, apple and sugar, then bring to a simmer. Cook until the cranberries pop and the juice thickens, about 6 minutes. Return the bacon and onions to the pan, then taste and season with salt and pepper. Cool before serving.

bacon recipe source: J.M. Hirsch, The Associated Press, Oregon Live/The Oregonian (@Oregonian), November 5, 2015

3139. STUFFING with QUINCE and BACON

yields 12 servings, with leftovers

1 1/2 pounds (about 16 cups) challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes 

12 ounces sliced thick-cut smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces 

3 cups diced onions, 1/2-inch dice 

2 cups diced celery, 1/2-inch dice 

1 tablespoon chopped garlic 

4 (2 pounds total) quince, peeled, cored, and cut into 3/4-inch dice

1 cup dried cranberries 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 

1 cup chopped Italian parsley 

1 teaspoon kosher salt 

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper 

1 1/2 cups chicken broth 

2 large eggs, beaten 

1 cup heavy cream 

 

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place challah in a large roasting pan. Bake 20 minutes, tossing several times, until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl. 

 

Fry bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate; drain. Pour off all but 1/4 cup bacon drippings from pan. Add onions, celery, and garlic; sauté 8 minutes, until almost softened. Add quince, cranberries, sage, rosemary, and thyme; sauté 10 minutes until quince are tender but still hold their shape. 

 

Add onion mixture to bread along with bacon, parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss; drizzle 1 cup of the broth over stuffing and toss again. (Can be prepared in advance up to this point; cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.) 

 

Generously butter a 3-quart casserole dish. In a medium bowl, whisk remaining 1/2 cup broth, eggs, and cream; pour over bread mixture and toss with a large spoon until evenly moistened. Spoon stuffing into prepared dish; cover tightly with foil. Bake in a 350 degree F oven 30 minutes (while turkey is resting); remove foil and bake 15 more minutes, until stuffing is hot and slightly crisp on top.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Redbook

3084. RUSTIC CRANBERRY BACON CHUTNEY with ROSEMARY and PORT

6 slices of bacon
1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped coarsely
pinch of kosher salt
pinch of freshly cracked pepper
1/2 cup orange juice
12 oz. fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon tawny port

Cut the bacon up into a fairly small pieces. Add the bacon to a medium-size saucepan. Set on the stove over medium-high heat Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. If it starts to burn or smoke, turn your heat down. When your bacon is crisp, turn the heat off. Drain off most of the rendered bacon fat, leaving just a teaspoon or two in the pan with the bacon. Add the brown sugar to the bacon and fat in the pan. Toss in the rosemary, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir your pot to combine the ingredients well. Break up any lumps of brown sugar against the side of the pot with the back of your spoon. Pour in the orange juice. Stir well, scraping at the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Raise the heat to medium-high so your mixture can start to come up to a simmer. Add the cranberries to the pot. Give the pot a good stir to combine everything. Add the port. Stir to combine. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture comes up to a simmer. When it does, turn the heat down a little and cover the pot tightly. Simmer covered for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, uncover the pot. Stir the mixture. As you stir, smoosh the cranberries against the side of the pot to pop them. Keep the heat on medium as you do this. Turn the heat off and transfer the chutney to a bowl to cool. The chutney will keep in the fridge for about 3 days.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jessie Cross, The Hungry Mouse, December 11, 2008

2927. CREAMY POLENTA with BACON and CRANBERRIES

yields four servings


Polenta:

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 teaspoons kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1 1/4 cups polenta or yellow cornmeal
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
3/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Freshly ground black pepper

To Assemble:

10 to 12 strips thick-cut applewood smoked bacon (about 1 pound)
1 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature (about 8 ounces)
3 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
Pinch kosher salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries

 

For the polenta: Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water and the salt to a boil in a heavy 5-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the Parmesan, milk and butter. Stir until the butter and Parmesan have melted. Season with salt and pepper.

For assembly: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until brown and crispy, 15 to 17 minutes. Drain on paper towels. When the bacon is cool enough to handle, chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.

Whisk together the mascarpone cheese, maple syrup and salt in a small bowl until smooth.

Transfer the polenta to 4 bowls or serving plates. Divide the bacon pieces and spoon on top. Dollop each serving with the mascarpone mixture and sprinkle with the dried cranberries.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Giada De Laurentiis, "Rise and Shine," Giada at Home, Food Network

2760. BACON and EGG SPINACH SALAD with POPPY SEED DRESSING

yields 10-12 servings 


Poppy Seed Dressing 
1/3 cup red wine vinegar 
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon 
3/4 teaspoon ground dried mustard 
2 teaspoons salt 
3 tablespoons yellow onion, finely minced 
2/3 cup sugar 
1 tablespoon poppy seeds 
1 cup canola oil

Bacon and Egg Salad 
12-15 oz baby spinach 
4-6 slices crisp bacon, crumbled 
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced 
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, sliced very thin 
1 cup thinly sliced button mushrooms, about 5-6 medium 
1/2 cup dried cranberries 
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese, (4 ounces) 
1/2 cup candied walnuts

Combine all the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to combine. Or add to a food processor and while processing, slowly add the oil. In this case the onion could be coarsely chopped as it will become fine during processing. Place the spinach, bacon, eggs, red onion, mushrooms, cranberries, cheese and walnuts to a large bowl. Pour dressing over all and gently toss. May save some eggs and bacon to garnish top of salad.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Helen Horton, Saucy Cuisine, September 3, 2011

2569. SMOKED TURKEY and BACON CHOWDER with PUMPERNICKEL and CRANBERRY CROUTONS

makes ten main-course servings


For Chowder:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 smoked turkey drumsticks (4 to 4 1/2 pounds total)
2 cups chopped applewood-smoked bacon (about 10 ounces), divided
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, diced
5 cups chopped onions
4 cups chopped celery
3 cups chopped carrots
12 large garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth
cayenne pepper

For Garnish (optional):
24 pearl onions
24 small fresh brussels sprouts

Thin strips of fresh sage
Pumpernickel and cranberry croutons (recipe below)

5 5x4-inch slices pumpernickel bread
whole-berry cranberry sauce (about 1 cup total; preferably homemade)

Toast bread. Cut each slice into 4 squares. Spread squares with cranberry sauce. Serve croutons with chowder

For Chowder: Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add turkey; sauté until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate. Add 1 cup bacon to pot; stir 1 minute. Add next 5 ingredients. Sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 15 minutes. Mix in tomato paste. Add 12 cups broth; return turkey to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until turkey and vegetables are very tender, about 45 minutes.

Transfer turkey to large plate; cool. Cut meat into bite-size pieces, discarding all skin, bones, and tendons. Working in batches, puree chowder in processor until smooth. Return puree to same pot; add diced turkey. Thin chowder with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if too thick. Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm before serving.

For Garnish: Cook onions and brussels sprouts in pan of boiling salted water until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain; peel onions. Cut onions and brussels sprouts in half through core. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Sauté 1 cup bacon in skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings. Add onions and brussels sprouts to skillet. Toss until heated through.

Ladle chowder into bowls. Top with onions, brussels sprouts, bacon, and fresh sage. Serve Croutons alongside or on top of chowder.


bacon recipe courtesy of: David Burke, Bon Appetit, February 2007

2262. RUSTIC CRANBERRY BACON CHUTNEY with ROSEMARY and PORT

6 slices of bacon
1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped coarsely
pinch of kosher salt
pinch of freshly cracked pepper
1/2 cup orange juice
12 oz. fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon tawny port

Cut the bacon up into a fairly small pieces. Add the bacon to a medium-size saucepan. Set on the stove over medium-high heat. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. If it starts to burn or smoke, turn your heat down. Your goal is to brown and crisp the bacon. When your bacon is crisp, turn the heat off. Drain off most of the rendered bacon fat, leaving just a teaspoon or two in the pan with the bacon. Save the fat (let it cool, then cover it and stick it in the fridge). Put your pan back on the stove over low heat. Add the brown sugar to the bacon and fat in the pan. Toss in the rosemary, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir your pot to combine the ingredients well. Break up any lumps of brown sugar against the side of the pot with the back of your spoon. Don’t fret if anything is sticking to the bottom of your pot. Your heat is on low, so it shouldn’t burn. And you’re going to deglaze the pot next. Pour in the orange juice. Watch your face and hands, as the pot may give off a big poof of steam, depending on how hot it is. Stir well, scraping at the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Raise the heat to medium-high so your mixture can start to come up to a simmer. Add the cranberries to the pot. Cranberries freeze really well and can go straight from freezer to pot for this recipe. Give the pot a good stir to combine everything. Add the port. Stir to combine. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture comes up to a simmer. When it does, turn the heat down a little and cover the pot tightly. Simmer covered for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on your pot. If it starts to bubble over, turn the heat down a little. After 5 minutes, uncover the pot. Stir the mixture. As you stir, smoosh the cranberries against the side of the pot to pop them. Keep the heat on medium as you do this. It will cook as you stir, evaporating some of the liquid and thickening your chutney. It should be really thick at this point. If you have liquid left in the pot, cook over medium heat for a minute or two more, stirring constantly to evaporate it. Turn the heat off and transfer the chutney to a bowl to cool. When it’s totally cool, cover and stick it in the fridge. The chutney will keep in the fridge for about 3 days.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jessica B. Konopa, The Hungry Mouse, Salem, Massachusetts, December 11, 2008

2233. WILD BOAR RAGOUT with BACON DUMPLINGS

serves four


Wild Boar Ragout:
600 grams wild boar leg
250 grams onions
200 ml red wine
150 ml sunflower oil
50 ml hazelnut oil
10 grams juniper berries
20 grams sugar
5 grams cardamom whole
10 grams cinnamon sticks
150 grams frozen cranberries
15 grams fresh thyme
100 grams rose hip jam
salt, to taste

Bacon Dumplings:
200 grams bacon
300 grams flour (hruba mouka)
200 ml milk
250 grams white bread
100 grams onions
30 grams chopped parsley
30 grams butter
salt, pepper, nutmeg to taste

Wild Boar Ragout: Clean the meat and cut in cubes. Heat the casserole and add sunflower oil and hazelnut oil. Sauté the meat until it becomes very brown, then take out. Add sliced onions and all the spices, and sauté until golden. Deglaze the pan with red wine and water. Add the meat back and cook until soft. When ragout is ready, add frozen cranberries and rose hip jam.

Bacon Dumplings: Slice the white bread in small cubes and let dry over night. Slice bacon and onions in small cubes and sauté in same pan. Combine the bread with egg yolk, warm milk, flour, onions with bacon and chopped parsley. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. After all this, slowly mix a whipped egg white inside the mixture.

Brush a cake form with butter or lay out with baking paper, and place the mixture inside and bake at 140°C for 20 minutes. When slightly cooled, slice and serve with the ragout.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef Marek Fichtner, Le Grill at Kempinski Hybernská, Prague

2219. WILD RICE STUFFING with CRANBERRIES, BACON and PECANS

serves eight


1 1/4 cup wild rice, uncooked
4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup onion, chopped
1 14-oz can chicken broth
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
2 cups fennel or celery, chopped
3/4 cup dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted

Rinse wild rice in cold water. Drain well; set aside. In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in saucepan. Drain bacon; set aside. Add onion to saucepan; cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Add wild rice; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, water, sherry and thyme. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in fennel and dried cranberries. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer rice mixture to a 2-quart casserole. Cover and bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring once. Stir in pecans and bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The National Pork Board/Pork: Be Inspired

2027. BRUSSELS SPROUTS with BACON, CRANBERRIES and PECANS

makes 4 servings


2 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 shallot, diced
1 pound brussels sprouts, cleaned, quartered, blanched and drained
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons pecans, chopped

Cook the bacon in a pan and set aside reserving 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add the shallots to the pan and cook in the bacon grease and saute until, tender about 3-5 minutes. Add the brussels sprouts to the pan, season with salt and pepper, toss in the grease and saute for a minute. Remove from heat and mix in the cranberries and pecans.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kevin Lynch, Closet Cooking, October 31, 2009

1980. ROAST BACON with DRIED CHERRIES and PEACHES

serves 6-8


1.2kg-piece organic bacon, rind on
1 cup dry sherry
½ cup sherry vinegar
juice of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup honey
75 grams fresh ginger, sliced
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
6 golden shallots, sliced
1 cinnamon stick, split
150 grams dried cherries or cranberries
2 cups chicken stock
8 dried peach halves
mashed potato, to serve

Combine all ingredients, except peaches and potato, in a large bowl. Cover and put in the fridge overnight, turning bacon occasionally.

Preheat oven to 220ºC. Put bacon in a baking dish, cover with foil, then cook for 45 minutes. Add peaches, baste well with juices and cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is golden.

Remove bacon and peaches from dish. Put dish over a high heat and cook for 10 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Thickly slice bacon and arrange on plates with peach halves. Spoon over the sauce. Serve with mashed potato.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Karen Martini, Better Homes & Gardens, Australia

1896. BROCCOLI BACON SALAD with DRIED CRANBERRIES

5 cups fresh broccoli florets
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup shelled sunflower seeds
½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon
¼ cup of red onion, chopped

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons vinegar
½ cup sugar

Combine broccoli florets, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, in a large serving bowl. In a separate bowl or large cup, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well; chill thoroughly before serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Lisa Myers, San Jose, California, on Tastebook.com

1862. ONE-PAN BRAISED KALE with BACON and NEW POTATOES

makes four servings


2 bunches black or green kale (to end up with about 6 cups of cooked and chopped kale)
16 small new potatoes, or 4 medium regular firm boiling potatoes
3 garlic cloves, peeled
225 grams / 8 oz piece of bacon, cut into cubes
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
black pepper

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Wash the kale, and rip off the leaves. If you have very long leaves you may want to cut them in half or thirds so they fit in the pot. Put the kale in the boiling water and cook for 4-5 minutes. Drain, and refresh under cold running water. Take bunches of the cooked kale and squeeze out as much water out of them as you can. Chop up finely.

In the meantime, scrub the new potatoes and cut them into half. If you’re using regular potatoes, peel and cut into chunks.

Put the bacon cubes in a large frying pan, and fry them over medium heat until they are crispy-brown on the outside. Take the bacon out, wipe out most of the bacon fat with a paper towel if there’s a lot there, and add the garlic and potatoes. Saute for 5-6 minutes over high heat, until the potatoes are lightly browned. Add 2 cups of water to the pan, and put a lid on. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Add the chopped kale, and stir and season with salt, pepper and soy sauce. Add the cranberries, and put the lid back on. Let it cook over medium-low heat for another 10 minutes. The garlic cloves should be soft enough to just mash up at this point; do so and stir it into the kale.

Serve hot or cold.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Makiko Itoh, Just Bento

1619. APPLE, BACON, ROQUEFORT and RED LEAF LETTUCE with PUMPERNICKEL CROUTONS

makes six servings


1/2 lb thick-cut bacon slices (5), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
3 slices pumpernickel bread, crusts removed, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 cup)
1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 Granny Smith apple
1 head red leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces (6 cups)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crumbled Roquefort (2 oz)

Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then add pumpernickel to fat in skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and season with salt and pepper.

Whisk together vinegar and mustard. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified, then season with salt and pepper.

Halve apple lengthwise and core. Cut apple halves crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Toss lettuce with cranberries, apple, croutons, half of bacon, and dressing. Divide salad among plates, then dot with Roquefort and sprinkle with remaining bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Gourmet, November 2001

1190. BRAISED CHEVON with BACON and CRANBERRIES

1 young milk fed kid, cut up salt
3 oz. bacon
1/2 cup butter
3 oz. root vegetables
1/2 cup onion
2 sour apples
2 tomatoes

4 grains of allspice
6 peppercorns
1 bay leaf
4 teaspoon red wine
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons stewed cranberries
1 lemon

Rub salt into the meat outside and inside. Melt diced bacon, add butter and fry sliced vegetables and onion. Add some water and sliced peeled apples and tomatoes, spices and wine. Then put in the meat and braise it in the oven first with the lid on and when almost tender, remove lid and allow Chevon to become golden brown. Remove the meat, dust the gravy with flour, dilute with water and simmer. Add stewed cranberries to the thickened sauce, re-heat and return the meat. Serve with dumplings and put a slice of lemon on each serving of Chevon.


courtesy of: Two Mere Acres, Willie & Jean Thomure, 295 Cardinal Lane, Trenton, Georgia 30752, (706) 657-7018

835. WISCONSIN CRANBERRY, BROCCOLI and BACON SALAD

4 cups fresh broccoli
red onion slices to taste
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour half and half
3 tablespoons sugar
6 slices bacon

In a medium frying pan, cook bacon until crisp. Set aside and cool. Wash broccoli and cut into bite size pieces; add onion and dried cranberries. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, half and half and sugar. Pour over salad and toss gently. Chill for 3 hours. Remove just before serving, sprinkle crumbled bacon over top.


courtesy of: Cranberry Products from Urban Best, 6011 Washington Street, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54494, 715-423-5200

649. RUBY RAISIN MINCEMEAT and BACON TART

serves 8


FILLING:
5 thick bacon slices (5 oz. uncooked), coarsely chopped
1 cup (about 4 oz.) coarsely chopped mixed dried fruit, loosely packed (see NOTE)
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons golden raisins
2 tablespoons firmly packed dark or light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2-3 tablespoons brandy
1/2 cup fresh orange juice

CRUST:
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons frozen unsalted butter
2 tablespoons frozen lard or shortening (see NOTE)
4 tablespoons or more ice water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

TO MAKE THE FILLING: In a 1-quart saucepan, combine the bacon, mixed dried fruit, cranberries, raisins, brown sugar, lemon zest, orange zest, nutmeg, allspice, brandy, and orange juice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer, stirring frequently, until the liquid is reduced and thickened but the mixture is still moist and juicy, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool.

TO MAKE THE CRUST: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. (If time permits, chill the bowl and flour mixture for 30 minutes before using). Using the large holes of the grater, grate the frozen butter and lard into the flour mixture. (The frozen fat is easier to incorporate into the dry ingredients and remains cold for a flakier crust.) Using a pastry blender, 2 knives, or your fingertips, work the mixture together until it is crumbly. Sprinkle in the ice water, beginning with 3 tablespoons, and mix until the dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 12-inch circle. (It doesn't have to be perfect). Spread the filling on the dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. With moistened fingers, fold the uncovered dough up and over the filling to create pleats. Lightly press the pleats together. Dip a pastry brush in water, moisten the edges of the crust, and sprinkle with the granulated sugar.

Bake until the crust is golden, about 30 minutes. (If the fruit begins to brown, cover it with aluminum foil). Slip the parchment paper and tart onto a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

NOTE: Prepackaged mixed dried fruit is available in supermarkets. A premium brand typically comes in an 8-ounce package containing pitted prunes, dried apples, apricots, peaches, and pears.

NOTE: Lard is made from rendered and clarified pork fat. It has the consistency of vegetable shortening and creates tender, flaky pastries. It is readily available in supermarkets in 1-pound packages. When tightly wrapped, lard will keep for up to 6 months at room temperature and even longer when chilled.


courtesy of: Everything Tastes Better With Bacon, by Sara Perry. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2002, pp. 122-123

429. CRAN-BRIE-BACON SALAD with GREEN MOUNTAIN DRESSING

Makes 6 servings


8 oz Brie cheese
6 sheets phyllo dough
Cooking spray
2 slices bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (10 oz) bags baby salad greens
3/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1/2 cup toasted walnut halves

Heat oven to 400°F. Slice Brie into 6 equal portions. Spray 1 sheet phyllo with cooking spray. Fold in half from 1 short end and spray. Fold in half again from 1 short end and spray. Place 1 portion of brie near bottom of 1 short side; fold in sides then roll up to form a cylinder; spray. Place on a small-sprayed baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 10 – 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain. Discard all but 1 teaspoon fat and sauté shallots until tender, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the yogurt, maple syrup, lemon juice and salt. Toss salad greens with enough dressing to coat and divide among 6 salad plates. Place a Brie packet on each and sprinkle with bacon, cranberries and walnuts.


courtesy of: Julie DeMatteo, Clementon, New Jersey

409. CURLY ENDIVE SALAD with CRANBERRY-BACON VINAIGRETTE and BLUE CHEESE PASTRIES

serves 6


1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half of 17 1/4-ounce package), thawed
1 egg, beaten to blend (glaze)
9 smoked bacon slices, chopped
1/3 cup minced shallots
1 cup ruby Port
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

6 heaping tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

9 cups bite-size curly endive

Preheat oven to 400°F. Unfold pastry onto work service. Using 2-inch- diameter scalloped cookie cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Using 1-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out centers of 6 pastry rounds. Discard centers. Pierce 2-inch rounds all over with fork. Brush edges with egg glaze. Top with pastry rings, pressing gently. Transfer to large baking sheet. Bake until puffed and golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool. Pull out uncooked portion from centers of pastries and discard. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

Preheat oven to 325°F. Cook bacon in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour 3 tablespoons bacon drippings into small bowl. Discard all but 1 teaspoon of remaining drippings from skillet. Add shallots to drippings in skillet; sauté over medium-high heat until tender, about 3 minutes. Add Port and cranberries and bring to boil, scraping any browned bits. Boil until cranberries are soft and liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add reserved 3 tablespoons bacon drippings and stir just until warm. Pour vinegar into small bowl. Gradually whisk in Port mixture.

Meanwhile, place pastries on baking sheet. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon cheese into center of each. Bake until cheese is soft, about 6 minutes.

Place endive in large bowl. Pour warm dressing over and toss. Divide greens among 6 plates. Sprinkle with bacon. Top each with 1 pastry and serve.


courtesy of: Bon Appétit, "R.S.V.P." November 1995, L'Etoile, Madison, Wisconsin