3984. BACON WAFFLES with PEANUT BUTTER-HONEY GLAZE

Makes 8 - 4" waffles


WAFFLES:

1 Package Bacon (about 10 slices)

2 Eggs, separated

1½ cups Buttermilk

2 Tablespoons melted Butter, cooled

1 cup All-purpose Flour

1 Tablespoon Yellow Cornmeal

1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

½ teaspoon Baking Soda

½ teaspoon Salt

GLAZE:

¾ cup Honey

¼ cup Creamy Peanut Butter

WAFFLES: Cook bacon according to directions on the package. Once it's cooked & slightly cooled, crumble or chop into bite sized pieces (about ½").

Beat egg yokes, buttermilk and butter together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Gently add dry ingredients into the wet, mixing until just combined (do not over mix, there will be lumps).

Beat egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks (if you turn the bowl upside-down, they should stay put). Gently fold bacon pieces (leaving some aside for garnish) and egg whites into batter until just combined (there can still be lumps in the batter).

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Then preheat your waffle maker & follow the waffle maker instructions to cook, as each one is different. Pour the appropriate amount of batter into preheated waffle maker and cook until golden. After the first batch is done, place them on a rack or cookie sheet in the warmed oven in a single layer. Keep all cooked waffles in the oven while you finish the rest and then make the glaze. Don't stack the cooked waffles or they'll lose their crispness (unless you plan on re-heating them in the oven).

GLAZE: Combine honey and peanut butter together in a small bowl. Microwave for about 20 seconds and stir (if it's not warm enough, microwave it again for 10-15 seconds at a time, checking and stirring it each time).

Whisk until smooth and pourable (you can add more honey or maple syrup also). Top waffles with glaze.

bacon recipe source: The Blonde Buckeye, September 18, 2013

3979. SPINACH SALAD with MUSTARD CURRY VINAIGRETTE and BACON

1 – 10 Oz. Package Washed Baby Spinach

1 Recipe Candied Pecans (recipe below)

1 Recipe Mustard Curry Vinaigrette (recipe below)

12 Strips Bacon

Fry the bacon until crisp and lay it out on a paper towel. Pat the excess fat with more paper towels. Keep in a warm place until ready to serve.

Place the spinach attractively and evenly onto salad bowls. Top the salad with salad dressing, to taste. Sprinkle the candied pecans evenly over the salads. Cross two pieces of warm bacon on top of each of the salads. Serve while bacon is still warm.

CANDIED PECANS

1 Cup Pecan Halves

¼ Cup Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Butter

Heat the brown sugar and butter until it is very hot and starts to bubble. Add in the pecans. Shake and toss the pecans in the sugar mixture until coated evenly and most of the mixture has disappeared. Pour the nuts onto a buttered piece of parchment. Separate the nuts with a spoon while they are still very hot.

MUSTARD CURRY VINAIGRETTE

1 tsp. Dry Mustard

2 tsp. Dijon Style Mustard

1 Tbsp. Honey

1 Tbsp. Water

1 Tbsp. Madras Curry Powder

⅓ Cup Red Wine Vinegar

⅔ Cup Olive Oil

Whisk together the dry mustard, dijon mustard, honey, curry powder and water. Whisk the red wine into the mixture. Whisk the olive oil into the mixture.

bacon recipe source: Euphemia Haye Restaurant & Haye Loft (@EuphemiaHaye), 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228

3967. BACON WRAPPED EGGPLANT FRIES

Yield: 12


12 strips of regular sliced bacon (avoid thick-cut as it will be too hard to wrap)

1 medium eggplant, slices into spears about 4 1/2 inches in length

For the glaze:

2 tbsp of honey

2 tsp of sriracha hot sauce

Preheat oven to 425F. Take one slice of bacon and wrap around eggplant fry, starting at one end and working to other end, allowing the bacon to overlap halfway with each new layer, and securely tuck in end piece. Repeat with remaining fries and place onto baking sheet. Bake for about 15-25 minutes or until bacon reaches desired crispness.

In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients. Remove fries from oven and quickly brush with glaze. Raise oven temperature to 450F. Place fries back in oven and cook for about 5 minutes or until bacon starts to blister, but make sure to constantly check on the fries so that the bacon does not burn. You can serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.

bacon recipe source: Kirbie's Cravings (@kirbiecravings), January 22, 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

3947. HONEY BACON GLAZED CHICKEN

Serves: 4-6 servings


For the marinade:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp steak seasoning
2 tsp fresh rosemary, minced (can substitute 1/2 tsp dried rosemary leaves)

For the glaze:
8 slices bacon, chopped
3/4 cup honey
3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp hot sauce

Marinate the chicken: To a large ziploc bag, add the marinade ingredients, twist with your hand (or zip closed) and shake to combine well. Pierce chicken breasts with a fork a few times, add to bag, seal, place on a plate and refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to 2 days.

Make the glaze: Chop bacon into small slices and add to a large sauce pan. Cook until crisp, remove to a paper towel lined plate. Drain grease from the saucepan, but do NOT wipe it clean.

Add remaining glaze ingredients, whisk to combine. Heat over MED heat until it bubbles up. Add cooked bacon and cook for 2 minutes.

Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. It will thicken as it cools.

Cook the chicken: Preheat grill or large skillet on MED-HIGH heat. Add a drizzle of olive or vegetable oil and cook chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear.

Top chicken with bacon glaze.


bacon recipe source: Amanda, The Chunky Chef (@The_Chunky_Chef), June 2015

3908. BACON-WRAPPED DRIED PLUMS with BLUE CHEESE and BALSAMIC-HONEY GLAZE

Makes 24 Pieces


Plums:
9 ounces of thinly-sliced bacon, cut in half 

2 ounces soft blue cheese

3 ounces cream cheese

½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Pinch of kosher salt

24 pitted dried plums (prunes)

Balsamic Glaze:
½ cup balsamic

1 ½ Tablespoons honey

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Bacon: Lay the cut bacon on a cooling rack over a sheet pan. Transfer to the oven and partially cook the bacon (only 5 minutes).

Make Stuffing: Using a hand mixer or fork, mix the blue cheese and cream cheese together. Add the thyme and salt. Chill in freezer for 5 minutes.

Stuff Prunes: Using a pastry bag fitted with ¼-inch tip, stuff each prune with 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture. Wrap with a piece of partially cooked bacon and fasten with a toothpick.

Broil: Place on a baking pan and broil on one side until the bacon starts to brown (about 2-3 minutes). Turn and finish cooking until the bacon is crisp (another 2-3 minutes). If left too long under the broiler, the cheese will melt and ooze out. Transfer to a platter, garnish platter with a few sprigs of thyme.

Balsamic Glaze: Combine balsamic and honey in a sauté pan and simmer/reduce for 2 minutes. Drizzle or brush over plated prunes.


bacon recipe source: Parties That Cook (@PartiesThatCook), 601 Minnesota Street, Suite 115, San Francisco, CA 94107

3866. BROWN SUGAR PECANS and SWEET BACON with HAVARTI GRILLED CHEESE

Serves: 2 sandwiches


1⁄2 pounds thick-cut bacon
1⁄4 cups honey
4 slices cinnamon swirl bread
3 tablespoons butter
1⁄3 cups brown sugar pecans lightly chopped (recipe below)
4 slices Havarti (or 4 ounces grated)


For the Pecans
16 ounces pecan halves
1⁄2 cups butter
3⁄4 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1⁄4 teaspoons salt
 
For the Pecans

Arrange pecan halves in an aluminum foil lined 13x9 baking dish. Set pan aside. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat and add brown sugar, vanilla, salt. Stir one minute and remove from heat. Continue stirring until brown sugar dissolves. Pour over pecans, stirring to coat. Bake at 325º for 20 to 25 minutes; stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.
 
For the Grilled Cheese

Preheat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Layer a baking sheet with a 1-inch lip of parchment paper. Place the strips of bacon on the parchment, and then brush the strips with the honey. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until done, depending on the thickness of the bacon. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool. Cut or break the bacon strips in half. Spread ½ tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of the bread.

Place one slice of the grated havarti on the non-buttered side of bread ((or sprinkle 1 ounce of grated cheese)or. Sprinkle with some of the brown sugar pecans, then layer on the bacon and top with another slice of creamy Havarti (or sprinkle with another ounce of grated cheese). You will have leftover pecans so save for salads or to snack on.

Drizzle a small amount of olive oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan, buttered side down, and top with the other slice of bread, buttered side facing up. Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the bread on one side is golden. Reduce the heat to medium-low; flip the sandwich to the other side and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the bread is toasty golden and the cheese has melted. The second side will cook faster than the first, so watch it carefully.


bacon recipe source: Heidi, foodiecrush (@foodiecrush), April 12, 2015

3852. BACON, EGG, SPINACH and TUNA SALAD

Makes: 4 servings


4 eggs
6 slices bacon
12 ounces tuna steaks
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1 6 ounce package fresh baby spinach

Place eggs in saucepan; cover with water. Bring to rapid boil. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes (yolks will be soft-set at 10). Drain. Rinse with cold water; cool. Peel and halve.

Meanwhile, in large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain; reserve drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon and set aside. Remove 2 tablespoons drippings for dressing. Add tuna to skillet; cook over medium-high heat 3 minutes per side or until slightly pink in center. Transfer to cutting board; cover and keep warm. Slice before serving.

Wipe skillet clean. Whisk in reserved drippings, vinegar, honey, and mustard to skillet. Bring to boiling.

Line plates with spinach. Top with sliced tuna, crumbled bacon, and the eggs. Drizzle dressing. Sprinkle pepper. 


bacon recipe source: Better Homes and Gardens

3825. WARM CHARD SALAD with BACON-CLEMENTINE VINAIGRETTE

Yield: 4


4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 large bunches of swiss chard (about 20 oz.)
4 clementines, juiced
3 clementines, peeled, segmented and cut in half
1/2 tsp. honey
1 1/2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
1/3 c pecans, toasted
Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper

Heat a large skillet on medium-low and add bacon. Cook until browned and crisp, turning once (about 10 minutes). Set aside.

Remove bacon drippings from pan, reserving 2 Tbsp.

Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil to pan and reduce heat to low.

Add shallots to pan and cook, stirring often, until brown and tender (15-20 min).
While shallots cook, cut chard into a chiffonade: remove stems and center vein. Stack leaves on top of one another and roll up like a cigar. Slice the roll in thin strips and place in a large bowl.

When shallots are finished, remove from pan and add to bowl with chard, tossing to combine.

To the hot skillet, add clementine juice and honey and cook, stirring, until reduced by half, about 1 minute.

Add vinegar and reserved bacon fat to skillet, along with salt and pepper to taste. Stir.

Add chard and shallots to the pan and cook until chard is just wilted, about 1 minute.

Return contents of skillet to the bowl. Top with toasted pecans, goat cheese, clementine segments, and additional cracked black pepper.


bacon recipe source: Allison, The Ranger's Daughter

3822. SOFT PRETZEL and BACON STUFFING with MUSTARD and BEER

Servings: 8


10 heaping cups pretzel bread, cubed

1 (16 oz) package bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup beer

2 large eggs
2 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 200˚F. Spread out pretzel cubes on baking sheets and bake about 1 hour, until bread dries out, flipping bread cubes halfway through. Remove bread; set aside to cool and increase oven temperature to 375˚F.



In large sauté pan, fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and place on paper towel-lined plate to cool. Drain off 1/4 cup bacon grease from pan; set aside. Add onion and celery to pan with remaining bacon grease and cook over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Set aside.



In medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, beer, eggs, honey and mustard. 


In greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish, gently combine bread cubes, bacon, parsley, and onion/celery mixture. Pour broth mixture over top and toss gently to coat. Pour reserved bacon grease over top; bake 40 minutes. 


bacon recipe source: Molly Yeh (@mollyyeh); Jones Dairy Farm, 800 Jones Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

3816. BACON and EGGS with RED CHILE and HONEY

makes 8 tacos


10 ounces bacon
5 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons red chile powder
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
9 large eggs, whisked
8 (5 1/2-inch) soft yellow corn tortillas, for serving
Garnish: strips of roasted sweet red bell peppers or red chiles

Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Line a plate with paper towels and have ready.

In a large, heavy skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until about three-quarters done, about 7 minutes. Add the honey and red chile powder and toss the bacon evenly to coat. Remove from the heat and strain off and reserve any excess honey and bacon grease from the pan. Transfer the bacon to a baking sheet and bake in the oven 5 minutes; remove the bacon to the prepared plate to drain.

Preheat a large, heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Melt the butter, then pour in the eggs immediately after. Cook the eggs until they are done, but not dry, gently stirring and turning them over with a wooden spatula to cook evenly, about 6 minutes.

To serve, lay the tortillas side by side, open face and overlapping on a platter. Divide the egg mixture equally between the tortillas and top with the bacon strips, red pepper or chile strips, salsa, and a sprinkling of cilantro. Or build your own taco: lay a tortilla, open face, in one hand. Spoon on some egg mixture, and top with bacon, pepper or chile strips, salsa, and a sprinkling of cilantro. Fold and eat right away. For a sweeter taco, pour any excess honey and bacon grease over the filling.


bacon recipe source: Tacos: 75 Authentic and Inspired Recipes, by Mark Miller, with Benjamin Hargett and Jane Horn (Ten Speed Press, 2009), p. 118

3811. BACON-WRAPPED CHICKEN and PEACH MINI-BROCHETTES

makes 24 bites


Marinade
2 tbsp (30 ml) white wine vinegar
2 tbsp (28 g) butter
2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
1 green onion, chopped

Mini-Brochettes

4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, each cut into 6 pieces

2 peaches, pitted and each cut into 12 wedges

12 slices bacon, halved

24 large toothpicks, soaked in water for 15 minutes

Salt and pepper

Marinade: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring all the ingredients to a boil and simmer for about 1 minute. Let cool.

Mini-Brochettes: Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Wrap a piece of chicken and a peach wedge with a half slice of bacon. Skewer with a toothpick. Place the skewers in a glass dish and coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Preheat the grill, setting the burners to high. Oil the grate. Reduce the heat to medium. Grill the skewers for about 5 minutes on each side. Turn off the burner on one side of the grill and place the skewers on the unlit section for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

bacon recipe source: Ricardo Cuisine (@RicardoRecipes) 

3788. BACON WRAPPED GINGER SOY CHICKEN

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

6 slices uncooked bacon

¼ cup chicken broth

½ teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Combine all ingredients for marinade except bacon and chicken in a shallow baking dish, about 11"x8".

Rinse and pat chicken dry. Keep folded and wrap with bacon slices. Secure with toothpicks if desired (just remove them before putting chicken in the oven so they won't burn). Place bacon wrapped chicken pieces into the marinade for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through to marinate both sides.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy bottomed, oven safe pan over medium heat. Cook chicken pieces until bacon starts to crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Poor remaining marinade over the chicken and slide the pan into the oven. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.

Serve immediately.

bacon recipe source: Kristin, Yellow Bliss Road (@YellowBlissRoad), March 16, 2015

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

3764. BACON WRAPPED MADUROS (SWEET PLANTAINS)

makes six servings


½ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 medium very ripe plantains

9 slices thick cut bacon

canola oil for frying

In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, honey, cilantro, and cayenne pepper and set aside. Peel the plantains and slice into pieces that are one inch thick and about 1.5 to 2 inches long. Cut bacon slices in half, lengthwise. Wrap each banana slice with the halved bacon slice and secure with a wooden toothpick. Heat the oil in a large skillet to 350 degrees. Fry the plantains (without crowding the pan) until golden brown. This will take between 3 to 5 minutes depending on the ripeness of the plantains. The riper, the quicker it will caramelize. Drain on paper towel and serve immediately along side honey mustard dipping sauce.

bacon recipe source: Ana Quincoces, Smithfield (@SmithfieldBrand), Virginia; thelatinkitchen.com (@thelatinkitchen)

3738. CARROTS and PARSNIPS with BACON and THYME

serves 4-6

1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons honey

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 lb. carrots (about 4 medium), peeled and cut into pieces 2 to 2-1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide

3/4 lb. parsnips (about 4 medium), peeled, halved lengthwise, woody cores discarded, and cut into pieces 2-1/2 to 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide
2 large shallots, root ends trimmed, peeled, and cut into 3/4-inch-wide wedges

5 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

2 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces

Kosher salt

Combine the orange juice, vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. Set aside.

In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the carrots, parsnips, shallots, thyme sprigs, bacon, and 1 tsp. salt; toss well to coat.

Cover the pan with the lid ajar by about 1 inch. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are limp and lightly browned and most of the carrots and parsnips have a little bit of brown on them, 8 to 12 minutes. As the mixture cooks, you should hear a gentle sizzle.

Uncover, turn the heat down to low, and cook, stirring occasionally and then gently pushing the vegetables back into a single layer so that most have direct contact with the pan, until the vegetables are tender and nicely browned, 12 to 16 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and discard the thyme sprigs. Stir in the orange-honey mixture and the thyme leaves, and season to taste with salt. Serve right away or let sit off the heat, partially covered, until ready to serve, and then reheat gently over medium-low heat.

bacon recipe source: Susie Middleton, Fine Cooking (@finecooking), Issue 126

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

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

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

3632. BACON RICOTTA CROSTINI

makes about 30 crostini, serves 10-15 

1 long baguette

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper

15 ounce container ricotta, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 pound thick-cut bacon

honey

freshly cracked pepper

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Use a serrated knife to cut the baguette into about 30 slices.

Use a pastry brush to coat each side of the slices with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper over one or both sides of the slices.

Spread the bread out onto a large baking sheet, not overlapping. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip each toast. Bake for another 3-4 minutes. It's okay if they are not browned. Let the toasts cool for a few minutes.

Finely chop the raw bacon. Cook it in a heavy skillet until it is crispy, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate.

Add the ricotta to a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, if you want. (This is optional)

When the toasts are cool enough to handle, add a dollop of ricotta to the center of each toast. Top with a sprinkle of bacon.

Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper and more salt, if desired. Drizzle with a little bit of honey.

bacon recipe source: Karen Gifford (@foodcharlatan), The Food Charlatan, November 7, 2014