3774. APPLE TERRINE with HONEY ROSEMARY ICE CREAM and BACON PECAN CRUMBLE

Serves: 4

Apple terrine:

4 granny smith apples

75 grams butter, melted

1/3 cup caster sugar

100 grams blue cheese

Honey rosemary ice cream:

2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk

1/4 cup caster sugar

1 tsp rosemary, finely chopped

1½ tbsp honey

250 ml cream whipped to soft peaks

Bacon pecan crumble:

55 grams butter

70 grams flour

80 grams caster sugar

½ tsp star anise, ground

2 tbsp bacon, finely chopped

1 tbsp honey

50 grams pecans

Toffee apples:

1 large granny smith apple, peeled

½ cup caster sugar

To serve:

4 figs, quartered

1 sprig rosemary, leaves removed

60 grams blue cheese

Preheat oven to 180ºC/350ºF.

For the apple terrine, thinly slice the apple on a mandolin. Using a 10cm round springform cake tin, layer the apple. Brush each layer with butter, sprinkle with sugar and crumble the blue cheese. Place onto a shallow baking tray and bake in the oven, covered until terrine is cooked through, about 25 minutes . Remove from oven and place a heavy weight on the terrine. Set aside in the fridge to cool and press.

For the ice cream, place eggs, egg yolk, sugar, rosemary and honey in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until thickened and doubled in volume. Remove from heat. Fold the cream through the egg mixture and pour into 4 x ½ cup dariole moulds. Set aside in freezer to set. Freeze remaining ice cream in a small lidded container.

For the bacon pecan crumble, use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour. Stir through 30g of sugar and star anise. Sprinkle crumb mix onto a lined baking tray and bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

In a frypan, add bacon and cook until crispy. Add honey and caramelise with the bacon. Stir through the crumble mixture.

Place pecans on lined baking tray. Cook remaining sugar in a pan to a deep amber colour. Pour caramel over the pecans and leave to set. Once set, chop the praline finely and mix through the crumble.

For the toffee apples, use a melon baller to scoop small balls out of the apple. Cook sugar in a pan to a deep amber colour and pat apple balls dry then carefully dip into the toffee to coat. Place onto baking paper lined tray.

To assemble, place terrine, ice cream, toffee apples and fig pieces on a plate. Sprinkle with crumble. Garnish with rosemary leaves and crumbled blue cheese.

bacon recipe source: Ashleigh Bareham (contestant), MasterChef Australia, TenPlay, 1 Saunders Street, Pyrmont, NSW 2009, GPO BOX 10, Sydney, NSW 2001

3651. BACON and FIG MARMALADE

serves eight


1 lb. fresh figs, chopped

¼ lb. bacon, diced
1 each yellow onion, diced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sachet of cloves, bay leaf, fresh thyme, star anise

 

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add bacon and render until crispy. Remove bacon and reserve for later.  Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.

Sweat onion and ginger in bacon fat until translucent.

Add figs, and slowly caramelize over medium high heat. Add honey, red wine, balsamic vinegar and sachet of spice. Turn heat to low and slowly reduce mixture until a jam like consistency.

Transfer half of the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Add this to the rest of the mixture and fold in crispy bacon.

Serve at room temperature on a crostini. Garnish with fresh tarragon and thyme.

 

 

bacon recipe source: Hall Wines (@HALLWines), 401 St. Helena Highway South, St. Helena, CA 94574

3635. BRIE and BACON PIADINA with BALSAMIC FIG and ONION MARMALADE



Piadina Dough (makes 4 piadinas)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice


1 log of brie, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
8 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and sliced into 1/2-inch slices
Roughly 1 cups of arugula, chopped, or arugula sprouts
1/2 cup balsamic fig and onion marmalade (recipe below)

Balsamic Onion and Fig Marmalade (makes about 3/4-1 cup):
1 large sweet onion (Walla-Walla), sliced thinly
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
6 brown figs, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon water, or more



First make the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, add the flour, make a well in the center and add all the remaining ingredients. Mix with a spoon or a fork (or the dough hook on your mixer), until the dough begins to come together. If you are working with your stand mixer, you can mix with the dough hook for about 5 more minutes on medium speed. If kneading by hand, turn out the dough ball onto a lightly floured surface, and knead for at least 5 more minutes, or until the dough feels smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball, lightly oil it, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let it rest for 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge. 


To grill your piadinas, prepare a cast iron skillet, heavy bottomed pan, or griddle over high heat. The surface should be very very hot. Take your piadina dough, and divide it into four pieces; then roll out one piece at a time into rounds about 8 inches in diameter (they should be very thin). Place the piadina on the surface of the skillet, and if it is hot enough, the dough will not stick. Grill the piadinas for a few minutes or until bubbles begin to form on the surface, and the underside has charred spots. Turn the piadina over, and cook for just a few minutes more, until the bottom is light brown. Remove from heat and cover.


 To complete your piadina, preheat your oven to 400ºF, and place a rack in the top 1/3 of your oven. Take a rimmed baking sheet, turn it over, and place the grilled piadina on the bottom. Place 5-6 slices of brie down the center of the piadina, and slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven for just about 2-3 minutes, or until the brie is just melting. Take it out of the oven, top the brie with the about 2 tablespoons marmalade, followed by 2 pieces of sliced bacon, and about 1/4 cup arugula. Fold in each side the piadina to close, and serve immediately.

Balsamic Onion and Fig Marmalade: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat; then add the onions, and brown sugar, and stir to dissolve the sugar. Continue to cook the onions over medium heat for about 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft, translucent, and light brown. Add the balsamic vinegar, turn the heat to low, and continue to cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for about 10 more minutes. When they are done, they will be deep, dark brown and will have absorbed all the vinegar. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then transfer to a microwave-safe bowl. Add the chopped figs and water, cover the bowl with plastic wrap (or a lid for the bowl), and microwave on high heat for about 2 minutes to steam the figs. Remove the bowl from the microwave, and the figs should be soft enough that they can be mashed with a fork. Mix the figs together with the balsamic onions, and let cool slightly before serving.


bacon recipe source: The Cilantropist, October 17, 2010

3108. WILTED ESCAROLE SALAD with FIGS, BACON and BLUE CHEESE

yields 4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)


2 bacon slices 
1 head escarole  
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 
2 tablespoons minced shallots 
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice 
1/4 cup dried figs, chopped 
2 tablespoons sugar 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 4 ounces)

Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and crumble. Set aside, and reserve 1 teaspoon drippings in pan. Place escarole top-down in pan, and press down gently. Cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or until wilted. Flip, and cook 1 minute. Remove to cutting board; coarsely chop escarole, discarding core, and transfer to a large bowl. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat; add minced shallots, and cook 3 minutes or until golden brown. Add balsamic vinegar, orange juice, dried figs, and sugar to pan; stir to dissolve sugar and thicken. Pour dressing and figs over escarole, tossing gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Mound on top of chicken; top with cheese and bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Health.com

2909. MINI BACON, FIG, and GOAT CHEESE PIZZAS

yields four servings


4 mini, whole wheat pitas
3 oz. goat cheese
4 figs, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons real bacon bits
1 cup arugula
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place a sheet of aluminum foil over a small cookie sheet or baking tray, and spray with nonfat cooking spray. Place pitas on baking sheet. Spread goat cheese evenly amongst the pitas. Top with figs and bacon bits. Bake oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edge of the pita starts to brown and crisp. In the meantime, heat honey and vinegar in s small saucepan, and warm until well combined and heated through. Remove pizzas from oven and top evenly with arugula. Then drizzle with the honey vinegar glaze and put back in the oven for about another 5 minutes, or until the arugula just begins to wilt.


bacon recipe courtesy of: LaaLoosh, June 28, 2012

2773. POLENTA with BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP and PORT WINE FIG SAUCE

1 cup polenta
6 thick slices bacon, chopped into chunks
1 shallot, chopped
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons butter

Port Wine Fig Sauce:
1 teaspoon butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 cup dried figs, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
3 cup port wine
1 1/2 cups red wine
1 cinnamon stick
6 cloves
10 whole Allspice
10 whole black peppercorns
4 pieces star anise

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp:
6 slices thin cut bacon
12 large shrimp, tail on shelled and deveined
1 tablespoon thyme, picked
Salt and pepper, to taste 
Oil, as needed

Garnish:
Frisee greens (for example arugula) 
Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Salt and pepper, to taste

Polenta: Render bacon and caramelize the shallots, then strain the contents and reserve the bacon fat. Add the milk, cream, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer then whisk in the polenta. Simmer on low until most of the liquid has cooked out and the polenta is soft. Stir in the butter.

Port Wine Fig Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and sauté the shallot, dried fig and red onion. Season with the salt. When the mixture has sweat out, add the sugar and turn the heat to high. Caramelize the sugar, then add the port, red wine, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, black peppercorns and star anise. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Reduce the sauce until it is sauce consistency, nape. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer. Turn the heat off, then let the halved figs sit in the sauce to reconstitute.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp: Cut the bacon strips in half, lay them all out and sprinkle the thyme on each strip. Wrap the shrimp, thyme on the inside, starting at the head end of the shrimp. Then, in a large sauté pan over medium high heat, using a bit of oil, sauté the bacon wrapped shrimp. The pan needs to be hot enough that the bacon doesn't stick to the pan but not too high because you don’t want the bacon to brown before the shrimp is cooked through. When the bacon is golden brown the shrimp should be done. Season to taste.

Assembly: Place the polenta in the center of a small plate, then place the shrimp on top of it in an interlocking position. Drizzle the sauce and place the figs. Two shrimp and two figs per plate. Garnish with some frisee greens tossed with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Grayson Schmitz, Top Chef, Season 9, Episode 2, Elimination Challenge; Bravo

2405. FIG, GRAPE and APPLEWOOD BACON TART

serves eight


1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
8 fresh figs, thinly sliced
12 seedless grapes, halved
3/4 cup champagne grapes
6 slices bacon, diced and cooked
fresh thyme, for garnish

In a sauté pan, warm oil over medium heat. Add onion, dried thyme, salt, and pepper; cook until onion caramelizes, 10 to 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400° (or temperature on puff pastry package directions). Unfold pastry sheet on a lightly floured work surface and roll out into a 9" x 13" rectangle, about inch thick. Cut in half lengthwise into 2 long, skinny rectangles and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Using a fork, prick each rectangle all over. Pinch and fold over 1/2 inch of pastry along all edges of each rectangle to create a border.

Arrange onions on tart shells, then cover evenly with figs and grapes. Sprinkle with bacon. Bake until tarts are puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, garnish with a few fresh thyme leaves, cut each tart into 4 pieces, and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Alison Attenborough, O, The Oprah Magazine, November 2010

1902. CHICKEN PAILLARDS with POMEGRANATE SAUCE and BACON and BABY POTATO HASH

yields four servings


3 large pomegranates or 1 cup store-bought pomegranate juice
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
6 peppercorns
3 cloves
1 fresh bay leaf
4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied if large
salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 pound thick cut bacon, diced
8 baby Yukon gold or baby white potatoes, very thinly sliced
1 large shallot, very thinly sliced in rings
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
6 cups arugula
1 lemon, juiced
1 pint fresh figs, halved or quartered

Roll the pomegranates on the counter while applying pressure for a couple of minutes. Hold the pomegranate over a pot and cut into it with a small sharp knife. The juice will come rushing out. Squeeze the pomegranates until 3/4 to 1 cup of juice is produced. Store-bought pomegranate juice can be used when fresh are not in season. Add the vinegar, peppercorns, cloves and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then turn the heat down to a simmer and reduce the liquid by half, about 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, cover the chicken with plastic wrap on meat safe board and pound to 1/4-inch thickness. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Heat a second medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add the pancetta to the smaller skillet and cook until crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and shallots in thin layer and season with a little salt and black pepper, to taste, and the red pepper flakes. Cook, turning occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes. In the larger skillet add the chicken and cook for 8 minutes, turning once. Remove the chicken to serving plates. Strain the reduced pomegranate sauce into the skillet with the chicken and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan, then turn off the heat.

Add the arugula to a large bowl and drizzle with the lemon and about 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spoon the pomegranate sauce over the chicken. Top the chicken with the salad and figs and serve the potato hash alongside.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rachael Ray, "Playing Chicken," 30 Minute Meals

1853. BRUSSELS SPOURTS, BACON and FIGS

2 pounds brussels sprouts
6 strips of bacon, diced
4 fresh figs, cut into small pieces
salt and pepper to taste

Wash the brussels sprouts and drain them. Carefully slice the sprouts lenghthwise into thin strips (it will resemble confetti).

In a skillet over medium high heat, add the diced bacon and cook thoroughly. Remove the bacon bits from the skillet but leave the bacon grease. If the bacon produces an excessive amount of grease, remove some of it. You want enough to coat the pan and add flavor, but you don’t want the end result to be greasy.

Add the brussels sprouts to the pan and then season with the salt and pepper. Add the fig pieces and stir to coat everything. Cook for about four minutes and then add the bacon. Once the sprouts become a vibrant green and begin to wilt slightly, the dish is done. Remove it from the heat and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Adventures in Shaw, Washington, DC, September 25, 2009, adventuresinshaw@gmail.com

1760. MACHE SALAD with FIGS and BACON

serves four


8 medium-to-large fresh figs, cut in half lengthwise through the stem end
8 slices bacon, each cut in half
4 ounces mâche
3 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Vanilla Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons vanilla bean vinegar or champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Place half of the bacon strips on a double thickness of paper towels. Cover the bacon with another double thickness of paper towels and microwave on high until the bacon is half-cooked, 30 to 60 seconds, depending on the wattage of your microwave and the thickness of your bacon. It's a good idea to experiment with an extra strip of bacon to determine the exact timing of this step, as microwaves vary widely in cooking power. You want the bacon to color slightly but still be pliable enough to wrap around the fig halves.

Once removed from the microwave, immediately wrap the bacon strips around half of the figs, securing the ends with a toothpick, if needed. Repeat the microwave step with the remaining bacon, and then wrap the remainder of the figs. The figs can rest at room temperature for an hour or two before proceeding, if desired. They can also be refrigerated, covered, for up to 8 hours.

To make the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, honey, and olive oil in a small jar, seal tightly with a lid, and shake to emulsify. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and set the vinaigrette aside at room temperature. The dressing can be made 2 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Position a rack at the topmost level of the oven, closest to the heat source. Preheat the broiler on high. Place the bacon-wrapped figs on a baking tray and broil, turning once, until the bacon is cooked. Remove the figs to a paper towel-lined plate while you finish the salad.

Place the mâche in a large bowl and toss with the vinaigrette. Divide the greens among 4 salad plates. Arrange 4 bacon-wrapped figs on each salad and top with some of the Gorgonzola cheese. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Earthbound Farm, 1721 San Juan Highway, San Juan Bautista, California 95045

1742. MESCLUN SALAD with GOAT-CHEESE STUFFED FIGS wrapped in BACON

makes four first-course servings


8 bacon slices
8 firm-ripe fresh figs, trimmed and halved lengthwise
1/4 lb aged goat cheese such as Bucheron or Pouligny-St.-Pierre
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 oz mesclun (4 cups)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat broiler.

Cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until most of fat is rendered but bacon is still pliable, about 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Remove 1 scoop of flesh from each fig half with small end of a melon-ball cutter and discard. Scoop cheese with same end of melon-ball cutter and just fill each fig half. Press fig halves together to form whole figs.

Stir together brown sugar, cumin, and salt, then rub onto 1 side of each bacon slice. Wrap 1 bacon slice, sugared side out, around each fig and secure with a toothpick.

Broil figs, bacon sides up, on rack of a broiler pan about 3 inches from heat, turning them frequently, until bacon is browned, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly, then discard toothpicks.

Toss mesclun with lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste, then gently toss with oil. Serve figs with salad.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Gourmet, August 2001

1606. BACON, ONION and FIG FLATBREAD

makes eight servings as an hors d'oeuvre


1 large (11- or 12-inch) store-bought flatbread
4 ounces bacon
1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cups baby arugula (about 2 ounces)
5 medium figs

Bake flatbread as directed on the packaging. Crisp bacon in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate, set aside to cool, then crumble. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat, add onion, and cook, stirring rarely, until well-browned, about 15 minutes. Add vinegar and cook until the strong vinegar aroma has dissipated, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from heat and let cool slightly. Place arugula in a large nonreactive bowl. Slice figs crosswise into 1/4-inch coins and add to the bowl along with crumbled bacon and cooled onion mixture. Toss to evenly combine and season with additional vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Evenly arrange mixture on toasted flatbread. Cut into squares and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Aida Mollenkamp, Chow, 235 Second Street, First Floor, San Francisco, California 94105

1418. BACON-WRAPPED MOZZARELLA with FIG JAM

serves four


14oz buffalo mozzarella
2 tablespoons chopped thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices bacon
8 cocktail sticks, to secure cheese and meat
2 tablespoons oil, for frying

For the fig jam
1 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 onion, finely sliced
7 oz. fresh figs, stalks removed and quartered
3½ oz. clear honey
2½ fl oz. red wine vinegar
1 tablespoons orange blossom water, optional
4 thick slices toasted walnut bread, to serve

Cut the cheese into four even pieces. Roll in the thyme and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roll each piece of cheese in two slices of bacon and secure with a cocktail stick. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry on all sides on a medium heat for 4-5 minutes.

For the fig jam, heat the oil in a pan and sauté the onion for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add the figs, honey and vinegar and slowly bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes. Add the orange water, if using.

To serve, place each cheese parcel onto a thick slice of toasted walnut bread and drizzle the fig jam on top.


courtesy of: Simon Rimmer, Something for the Weekend, BBC Food

1244. BACON-WRAPPED FIGS with GOAT'S CURD, SPINACH and WALNUT DRESSING

serves 4


200 grams toasted, chopped walnuts
half a bunch coarsely chopped coriander leaves
a quarter of a red onion
1 tablespoon lemon juice
12 fresh figs
12 slices bacon
100 grams trimmed baby spinach leaves
100 grams fresh goat's curd

For dressing: Combine 200 grams toasted, chopped walnuts, half a bunch coarsely chopped coriander leaves, a quarter of a red onion, finely chopped, half a seeded red chili, finely chopped, 50ml extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a small bowl and stir well.

Take 12 fresh figs, make a criss-cross incision in the top of each and wrap in a slice of trimmed shortcut rindless bacon. Bake at 180C for 10-12 minutes or until bacon is cooked and figs are warm.

To serve: Divide 100 grams trimmed baby spinach leaves between four serving plates and top with walnut dressing. Dollop 100g fresh goat's curd on each plate. Place figs on top of curd, season with salt flakes and cracked black pepper and drizzle each plate with 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil.


courtesy of: Whip It Up, by Lynne Mullins

569. PORTUGUESE BACON PUDDING with CARAMEL and FIGS

a.k.a. Pudim Do Abade de Priscos

servings: 6-8


For the pudding
390 caster sugar
300ml water
1x7.5 cm piece lemon rind
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
80g smoked bacon, rind removed and finely diced
12 egg yolks, well beaten
2 tbsp port

For the baked figs
1 fig, per portion
50ml Honey
100ml orange juice
50ml Brandy
1 tsp grated orange zest
500g toasted flaked almonds

For the bacon toffee
210g caster sugar
125ml water
40g bacon, finely shredded and blanched in boiling water for 1 minute


Heat the sugar with the water, lemon rind, bay leaf, cinnamon and finely diced bacon.

Bring to the boil and cook steadily to 220-225F on a sugar thermometer, or when a little of the mixture separates into threads when dropped into cold water. Remove from the heat, and strain through a sieve and allow to cool.

Preheat the oven to 240C/gas 9.

Add the egg yolks and port to the syrup and stir well. Then pour the pudding mixture into a large pudding basin or individual basins or dariole moulds.

Place the basin(s) in a bain-marie (or roasting tin filled with hot water to come half way up the basins) and cook in the oven for about 1 hour, if using a large pudding basin or about 35 minutes if using individual moulds. The pudding should be set and slightly golden, then remove from the oven and leave to cool until lukewarm.

To bake the figs: trim the tops and bases of the figs and prick all over with a toothpick. Stand the figs upright in an ovenproof dish. Mix together the honey, orange juice, brandy and orange zest and pour over the figs.

Cover and bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes basting from time to time.

For the bacon toffee: mix the sugar with the water in a small pan and stir until dissolved. Bring to the boil and simmer until amber in colour. Add the blanched bacon.

Using a fork or spoon, drizzle the bacon toffee into patterns on non-stick parchment and leave to cool and set.

Turn out the lukewarm pudding(s) and place a fig on top of each pudding. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and drizzle with a little of the pan liquor. Top with the crispy bacon caramel and serve.


courtesy of: Alan Coxon, Great Food Live

314. SALMON with WARM BACON SALSA

2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
4 fresh or dried figs
2 slices bacon
½ cup pre-diced red onions
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1½ pounds fresh salmon (ask for skin to be removed)
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon mesquite seasoning
¼ teaspoon pepper
aluminum foil (optional)
1 (10-oz.) can milder diced tomatoes and green chiles (well drained)

Preheat grill. Finely chop (rinsed) thyme, leaves only; measure (2 teaspoons) and set aside. Preheat medium saucepan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Cut figs and bacon into ¼-inch pieces; set figs aside. Place bacon in pan with onions and garlic paste; cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bacon begins to brown.

Meanwhile, cut away dark sections of salmon and cut into 4 servings. Rub both sides of salmon with oil; sprinkle with thyme, mesquite seasoning, and pepper. Wash hands. Place salmon, using tongs, on grill, with darker side up. Close lid (or cover loosely with foil) and cook 2–3 minutes on each side or until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Use meat thermometer to accurately ensure doneness.

Add figs and tomatoes to bacon mixture; reduce heat to medium and simmer 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and liquid evaporates. Serve salsa over salmon.


courtesy of: Publix Apron's / Publix Super Markets, P.O. Box 407, Lakeland, Florida 33802, 863-688-7407 ext. 53028 / Apron’s Cooking Schools: Publix at University Walk, 2875 University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243, 941-358-7829 / Publix at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, Florida 33626, 813-926-4465

251. ARUGULA SALAD with FRESH FIGS, GORGONZOLA, and BACON

serves 6


3 slices of bacon, cut in half crosswise
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 shallot, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
½ cup virgin olive oil
12 small fresh figs
6 oz. Gorgonzola or other blue cheese
1 large bunch arugula, tough stems removed, washed and dried well, about 6 cups
1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced


Cook the bacon in a skillet over low heat until crispy, turning it occasionally to brown it on both sides. Drain the bacon on paper towels.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, mustard, and shallot, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk the olive oil in a steady stream until it’s all incorporated and an emulsion forms.

Heat the broiler.

Cut the figs in half lengthwise. Make a little indentation with your thumb, and press some blue cheese into the indentation. Put the stuffed figs, cheese side up, on a nonstick baking sheet. Broil until the figs are warmed through and the cheese begins to melt, 1 to 2 minutes.

Toss the arugula and onion together in a bowl. Add just enough dressing to coat lightly, reserving at least one tablespoon of the dressing. Divide the greens among six plates. Use a spatula to remove the figs from the baking sheet and divide the figs among the plates. Drizzle the salads with the remaining vinaigrette. Top each salad with a piece of bacon and serve immediately.


courtesy of: Bistro Cooking At Home, by Gordon Hamersley. New York: Broadway Books, 2003, p. 38.

194. ARUGULA SALAD with FRESH FIGS, GORGONZOLA, and BACON

serves 6


3 slices of bacon, cut in half crosswise
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 shallot, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
½ cup virgin olive oil
12 small fresh figs
6 oz. Gorgonzola or other blue cheese
1 large bunch arugula, tough stems removed, washed and dried well, about 6 cups
1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced

Cook the bacon in a skillet over low heat until crispy, turning it occasionally to brown it on both sides. Drain the bacon on paper towels.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, mustard, and shallot, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk the olive oil in a steady stream until it’s all incorporated and an emulsion forms.

Heat the broiler.

Cut the figs in half lengthwise. Make a little indentation with your thumb, and press some blue cheese into the indentation. Put the stuffed figs, cheese side up, on a nonstick baking sheet. Broil until the figs are warmed through and the cheese begins to melt, 1 to 2 minutes.

Toss the arugula and onion together in a bowl. Add just enough dressing to coat lightly, reserving at least one tablespoon of the dressing. Divide the greens among six plates. Use a spatula to remove the figs from the baking sheet and divide the figs among the plates. Drizzle the salads with the remaining vinaigrette. Top each salad with a piece of bacon and serve immediately.


courtesy of: Bistro Cooking At Home, by Gordon Hamersley. New York: Broadway Books, 2003, p. 38.