3898. BARN-BURNING BAKED CATFISH wrapped in BACON

Makes 10 servings


6 eggs
1/4 cup Tabasco® brand Green Jalapeño Pepper Sauce
1 (15-ounce) container dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons garlic powder
6 tablespoons Italian seasoning
10 catfish fillets
2 pounds bacon, preferably maple-flavored
8 lemons
1 (5-ounce) bottle Tabasco® brand Habanero Sauce

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Start by combining the eggs with Tabasco® Green Sauce and blending thoroughly. Pour breadcrumbs into a large mixing bowl with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly.

Wrap bacon around fillets of catfish and dip into egg mixture, then place into breadcrumb mixture, making sure every part is covered. Place on a greased pan, then drizzle Tabasco® Habanero Sauce on top of each fillet of fish in an “S” pattern.

Fish normally bakes in about 25 minutes, but with bacon wrapped around it, bake in oven for 45 minutes or until bacon is crispy and fish is flaky. Place on plates and serve with squeezed lemons and the remaining Tabasco® Habanero Sauce.


bacon recipe source: Firefighter James Coppinger, Framingham Fire Department, Massachusetts, second runner up in the 4th national Tabasco® Cook & Ladder® Competition; Tabasco.com

3543. GLUTEN-FREE SAVORY PORRIDGE with BACON, CHEDDAR, FRESH TOMATOES and CHIVES

serves four


8 slices bacon
1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup gluten-free steel-cut oats

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons for garnish
salt and fresh place pepper to taste

1 heaping cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

cayenne pepper sauce (optional)

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon in batches, turning frequently, until browned and crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel.

While bacon is cooking, bring milk, water, and stock just to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Stir in oats and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring regularly, for 25 to 30 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and oats are tender and cooked through. Stir in cheddar, chives, salt, and pepper and taste for seasoning. Just before serving, crumble bacon and stir into oatmeal. Top with cherry tomatoes and extra chives and serve cayenne pepper sauce on the side.


bacon recipe source: Brittany Risher (@Brittany_Risher), Shape, November 5, 2014

3392. CHAR-GRILLED LOUISIANA OYSTERS with BACON-ANCHOVY BUTTER

serves 12


72 Louisiana oysters
1 3/4 lb unsalted butter, divided
1½ cups bacon, applewood smoked, thick cut, small dice
2 tablespoons anchovy fillets, oil marinated, mashed to paste
6 tablespoons garlic, minced
3/4 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons Tabasco® brand pepper sauce
9 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
2¼ cups panko breadcrumbs
3/4 cup parmesan
3 tablespoons smoked paprika

Prepare and light charcoal grill or preheat gas grill.

Combine 1½ lb. butter, bacon, anchovy fillets, garlic, bourbon, Tabasco and 6 tablespoons lemon juice in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer and cook slowly for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and reserve.

Clean outside of Louisiana oysters to remove any loose debris. Shuck oysters. Strain oyster liquid into container and add shucked oysters. Reserve bottom half of shell and discard top half.

Melt remaining ¼ butter in sauté pan. Add breadcrumbs and cook while stirring constantly until slightly browned. Remove from heat and reserve.

Place bottom half of shells on grill. Add small amount of bacon-anchovy butter sauce to each shell. Allow shells and sauce to heat up. Spoon 1 oyster into each shell and top with more sauce and a little oyster liquid. Cook until edges of oyster begin to curl up. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, Parmesan and smoked paprika. Continue to cook until breadcrumbs brown slightly and oysters are cooked, but not overcooked.

To finish, drizzle each oyster with some of the remaining 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.


bacon recipe source: Louisiana Seafood, 1051 North Third Street, 3rd Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

3264. SMOTHERED GREEN CHILE BREAKFAST BURRITOS with BACON and POTATOES

makes six servings


Green Chile Sauce
2 teaspoons canola oil
3/4 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped roasted mild-to-medium New Mexican green chiles, preferably fresh
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

Burritos
3 slices bacon
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups precooked shredded potatoes or frozen hash browns
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
6 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas, warmed if desired
3/4 cup finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)

To prepare sauce: Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced onion and 2 cloves garlic and cook, stirring, until very soft, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add chiles and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook until thickened but still easily spoonable, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside.

To prepare burritos: Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-high heat until crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Crumble when cooled.

Add chopped onion and 1 clove garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in potatoes. Pat the mixture down evenly and cook, without stirring, for 2 minutes. Scrape up the browned bits, pat back down again and continue cooking without stirring for about 2 minutes more. Repeat until the potatoes are golden brown with some crisp edges, about 2 minutes more.

Reduce heat to low. Stir 1/4 cup sauce and eggs into the potato mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until the eggs are just set, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the bacon and remove from the heat.

Divide the potato-egg mixture among tortillas. Roll each into a burrito and arrange seam-down on plates or a platter. Reheat the sauce, spoon over the burritos and sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Eating Well, September/October 2010 

2532. SWISS CHEESE and BACON OMELET

makes two servings


1 olive oil cooking spray
4 medium eggs, divided
1 oz shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, divided (or chipotle pepper sauce)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 piece bacon, cured, pan fried, crumbled
2 teaspoons chopped parsley

Coat non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium-high. In small bowl, whish eggs. Pour 1/2 of eggs into hot skillet. Sprinkle 1/2 cheese, 1/4 teaspoon pepper sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper over cheese. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, until center of eggs are set. Using spatula, loosen sides of eggs and fold over middle in shape of square. Move omelet to plate and reserve in warm place. Repeat process with the rest of egg, cheese, pepper sauce, and pepper. Top each omelet with bacon bits and parsley.


bacon recipe courtesy of: dLife.com, 101 Franklin Street, Westport, Connecticut 06880

2461. BACON-INFUSED CAROLINA FISH MUDDLE

makes six servings


1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 pound wild American shrimp, peeled, deveined, shells reserved
8 sprigs thyme
4 bay leaves
2 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes with juices
1 pound slab bacon, cut into 1/2" cubes, or thick-cut bacon, sliced into 1/2" strips
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
3 carrots, finely chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
1 leek (white and pale-green parts only), finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 jalapeño (with seeds), finely chopped
1 pound new potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2" cubes
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Hot pepper sauce (such as Cholula or Tabasco; optional)
1 pound black or striped bass fillet, cut into 1"–2" pieces
1 pound black or red grouper fillet, cut into 1"–2" pieces
6 slices baguette, toasted
6 cups cooked stone-ground grits or rice
Chopped flat-leaf parsley

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shrimp shells and cook, stirring constantly, until pink. Add 3 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cook gently until liquid is reduced to 2 cups. Strain stock, discarding shells. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill stock and shrimp separately.

Tie thyme sprigs and bay leaves into a bundle with kitchen twine; set aside. Pulse tomatoes with juices in a food processor until chunky purée forms; set aside. Heat bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until some of fat is rendered and bacon is just beginning to crisp, 10–15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain; reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings for croutons.

Add celery, carrots, onions, and leek to pot. Increase heat to medium and cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, jalapeño, and herb bundle; cook for 2 minutes. Add reserved tomato purée; cook, stirring often, for 20 minutes. Add shrimp stock (or, if omitting the first step, add 2 cups fish stock or clam juice) and bring to a simmer. Add potatoes and cooked bacon and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Season stew with salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Add fish and shrimp; bring to a gentle simmer. Cover; cook until fish and shrimp are just opaque in center, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, brush bacon fat onto toast to make croutons. Ladle muddle into bowls over grits or rice, sprinkle with parsley, and garnish each bowl with a crouton.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Frank Stitt, Highlands Bar and Grill, 2011 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 | Bon Appétit, February 2012

1787. BACON and CHIPOTLE POTATO SALAD

makes 6 servings


1 1/2 pounds (4 medium) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
salt
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Tabasco® brand chipotle pepper sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 hard-cooked eggs, coarsely chopped

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water; add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 12 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain and cool.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, Tabasco, mustard, and garlic; mix well. Place potatoes in a large bowl with bacon and eggs. Add dressing and toss to coat. Season with additional salt, if needed. Cover and refrigerate.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Tabasco, McIlhenny Company, Avery Island, Louisiana 70513

1782. SHRIMP and GRITS with BACON and SPINACH

makes six servings


3 cups low-fat milk
2 garlic cloves, pressed, divided
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup quick-cooking grits
6 slices thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1/3- to 1/2-inch-wide slices
1 1/2 pounds deveined peeled uncooked large shrimp
1 cup sliced shallots (about 4 large)
1 8-ounce bottle clam juice
2 5-ounce packages baby spinach
Hot pepper sauce
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Bring milk, 1 garlic clove, and salt to boil in medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until grits are very tender, whisking often, about 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, stirring often. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings. Add shrimp to drippings in skillet. Sauté until shrimp are pink, stirring often, about 1 minute. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper. Add shallots and remaining garlic to skillet. Sauté until shallots are translucent and shrimp are cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add clam juice to skillet and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add spinach to skillet and toss just to wilt. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.

Divide grits among 6 plates. Top with shrimp mixture and sprinkle with bacon. Garnish with lemon wedges for squeezing over and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen, Bon Appétit, April 2010

1556. LUMP CRABMEAT REMICK with BACON and SAFFRON RICE PILAF

yields six servings


1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup minced onions
1/4 cup minced green bell peppers
1/4 cup minced celery
salt
freshly ground white pepper
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
2 pinches of saffron threads
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken stock
6 ounces bacon, chopped
1 large egg
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
hot pepper sauce, to taste
1 cup vegetables oil
1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shells and cartilage
6 lemon twists

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter 6 individual round au gratin ramekins and place on a baking sheet. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the garlic and saffron, and continue to cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the rice and stock. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the water is completely absorbed. (This makes about 3 cups of cooked rice.) Remove from the heat and set aside.

Cook the bacon in a small skillet over medium heat until crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove, drain on paper towels, and set aside. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine the egg, garlic, ketchup, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the dry mustard, paprika and vinegar. Process until smooth. Season with hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper. With the machine running, slowly add the oil in a steady stream. Season with salt and pepper.

To assemble, spoon 1/2 cup of the rice filling evenly over the ramekins. Season the crabmeat with salt and pepper. Place a sixth of the crabmeat over each ramekin of rice filling. Spread the Remick dressing evenly over each ramekin of crabmeat. Place in the oven and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly. Remove from the oven and garnish with the crispy bacon, the remaining parsley, and lemon twists.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Live

736. OVEN-FRIED POTATO and SWEET POTATO CHIPS with CREAMY OVEN-COOKED BACON DIP

yields about 1 1/2 cups


1/4 cup olive oil
1 (6 to 8-ounce)medium Idaho potato
1 (6 to 8-ounce) medium sweet potato, peeled
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon very finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon very finely grated orange zest
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Creamy Oven-Cooked Bacon Dip, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Using a pastry brush, lightly grease 2 large baking sheets with 1 teaspoon of oil each and set aside.

Using a mandoline slicer, or heavy, sharp knife, cut the potatoes and sweet potatoes as thinly as possible. On 1 baking sheet, arrange the cut potatoes in 1 layer. On the second sheet, arrange the cut sweet potatoes in 1 layer. With a pastry brush, lightly coat the top side of both potatoes with the olive oil. Bake until golden and crisp, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking time, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
While the potatoes are cooking, In a small bowl, combine the salt, rosemary, lemon zest, and black pepper.

In another bowl, combine the cinnamon, orange zest, sugar, nutmeg, and ginger.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and transfer to paper towels. While still warm, sprinkle the potatoes with the lemon salt mixture, and the sweet potatoes with the cinnamon mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature with the Creamy Oven Cooked Bacon Dip.


Creamy Oven-Cooked Bacon Dip:
8 slices bacon
6 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Hot pepper sauce, to taste

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Arrange the bacon in a layer on a broiler rack set over the broiler pan. Bake until crisp and brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and drain on paper towels. When cool enough to handle, crumble or chop into small pieces.

In a bowl, cream together the remaining ingredients. Add the crumbled bacon and mix. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
Serve with the oven baked potato chips.


courtesy of: Emeril Lagasse, "Baked, Not Fried," Emeril Live 2002

484. SUMMER CORN, BACON, and POTATO CHOWDER

yields 4 servings; about 1 1/2 cups per serving


1 medium Yukon Gold potato(es)
1 sprays cooking spray
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup onion(s), chopped (or 1 large shallot)
4 piece corn on the cob, kernels removed with a knife
1 cup sweet red pepper(s), diced
4 oz bacon, diced
2 cup fat-free skim milk
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste

Puncture potato in several places with a fork; microwave on high power until tender, turning over once, about 8 minutes. Allow to cool; peel and mash.

Meanwhile, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Add celery, onion, corn and red pepper; sauté over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. (Note: Feel free to substitute your favorite fresh vegetables like asparagus and broccoli for the red pepper. Or to save time, substitute 2 cups of frozen corn and 1 cup of frozen, diced bell pepper for the fresh corn and red pepper.)

Stir bacon and milk into saucepan; stir in mashed potato and mix well. Season with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce; stir to combine. Cover and simmer 10 minutes (do not allow to boil).


courtesy of: Weight Watchers

466. SAVORY RED BEANS and RICE with BACON

1 slice bacon, chopped
1 cup onion chopped
1 14 ½ oz. can reduced-sodium chicken broth
¾ cup regular brown rice
¾ cup sliced celery
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 15 ½ oz. can dark red kidney beans
1 medium green sweet pepper, cut into bite-size strips

In a 10 inch skillet cook and stir bacon over medium heat until bacon is crisp. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the drippings in the pan. Drain bacon on paper towels. Cook onion in reserved drippings till tender, but not brown. Add bacon, broth, uncooked rice, celery, salt, hot pepper sauce and pepper. Bring to boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

Add the undrained beans and sweet pepper strips. Cover, simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve immediately. Makes 4 main dish servings or 6 side dish servings.

courtesy of: Better Homes and Gardens Magazine / HealthQuest, 900 SW Jackson, 920-N, Topeka, KS 66612, 785-296-4304

330. ICEBERG WEDGE with WARM BACON and BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

makes 6 servings


1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 cup coarsely crumbled blue cheese
Buttermilk (optional)
1/2 pound thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
1 large head of iceberg lettuce, cut into 6 wedges, each with some core attached
1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced

Mix first 4 ingredients in medium bowl. Add blue cheese and stir until well blended. If too thick, thin with buttermilk by tablespoonfuls to desired consistency. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)

Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until golden brown and beginning to crisp. Arrange lettuce on plates. Spoon dressing over. Using slotted spoon, transfer warm bacon from skillet onto salads, dividing equally. Garnish with red onion.


courtesy of: Bon Appétit, January 2006