2652. MAPLE-PECAN SUNDAES with CANDIED BACON

makes 6 servings 

4 bacon slices

2 tablespoons maple sugar, divided

3/4 cup pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)

2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger

1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted

Vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place rack in center of foil. Lay bacon slices on rack. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon maple sugar evenly over bacon. Bake until sugar is melted, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over same side of bacon. Bake until bacon is deep brown and glazed, 12 to 14 minutes longer. Remove from oven. Preheat broiler. Broil bacon until sugar on top bubbles thickly, watching closely to prevent burning, 1 to 2 minutes. Cool bacon completely on rack. Cut into 1/4-inch dice. Combine maple syrup and cinnamon sticks in deep medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce is thickened and reduced to 1/2 to 2/3 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks. Mix lemon juice and ginger into sauce. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Stir pecans and bacon into maple sauce. Scoop ice cream into dessert dishes. Spoon sauce over and serve.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Lori Longbotham, Bon Appétit, October 2010

91. GINGERED BLACK-EYED PEAS with BACON

serves four


2 cups dried black-eyed peas, rinsed, and soaked
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
6 slices bacon, diced
1 teaspoon dry mustard
salt
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
3/4 cup honey

Drain and rinse the beans; cover with fresh water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until tender. Add water to keep them juicy if necessary.
Preheat oven to 325°.

In a heavy skillet, saute onion and bacon over medium heat until onion is golden and bacon is crisp. Drain off fat and stir bacon and onion into beans. Add mustard and salt and pepper, to taste. Add ginger; combine well. Turn into a 2-quart baking dish; drizzle with the honey. Cover and bake 1 1/2 hours. Remove the cover the last 30 minutes to brown the top.


courtesy of: Diana Rattray, Mississippi