3980. CURRY CARROT SOUP with CANDIED DOUBLE SMOKED BACON GARNISH

Serves up 8.


Curry Carrot Soup
2 tbsp butter

1 med size sweet onions cut in chunks

½ cup celery preferably the heart with leaves cut in chunks

5 pound peeled carrots cut in chunks

2 bay leaves

1 tbsp dijon

1 cup white wine

1 tbsp coarse sea salt

1 tbsp pepper

2 tbsp curry powder

4 cups vegetable stock

water (just to cover vegetables)

2 cups 35% cream

Candied Double Smoked Bacon

2 oz. minced red onions

1 pound bacon

¼ cup maple syrup

Curry Carrot Soup 

In a medium size pot melt the butter and sauté the onions and celery for 3 to 4 minutes; deglaze with white wine.

Add the carrots, vegetable stock, bay leafs, Dijon, salt, pepper, curry powder and add water to cover vegetables.

Bring to a boil; then simmer all ingredients till soft. Approximately 45 minutes.

Remove 2 bay leafs.

Puree in a blender till smooth consistency and finish with the cream.

Candied Double Smoked Bacon

Cut 1 pound bacon in lardon; ½ inch squares and sauté them in a frying pan on high heat; let sit till they start to brown then turn on all four sides.

Place the cooked lardon on paper towel to absorb the grease, wipe your pan dry then bring the bacon back to the pan.

Once they start to heat up again pour ¼ cup maple syrup and bring to a boil; then let reduce slowly so it coats each peace.

Let cool on parchment paper. Use as a garnish for the soup.

bacon recipe source: The Kilted Chef Alain Bosse, NovaScotia.com

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

3973. BACON and CURRANT PORK BURGERS with SPICY ORANGE DRESSING

1 lb ground pork

¼ cup dried currants

8 strips bacon, diced

1 orange, peeled and diced

1 8oz can green chiles

½ 7oz can coconut milk

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon ground mustard

¼ teaspoon paprika

salt and pepper to taste

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon fat of choice

First, heat up your grill. If you are not using a grill, forget this step.

Now dice up your bacon. Maybe to 1 inch long strips/rectangles and throw them in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.

While the bacon cooks, add your ground pork, currants, and spices to a bowl and mix together. Once the bacon is done cooking, add the cooled bacon to the mixture and mix all together.

Form into patties, however big you would like, and throw those little suckers on your hot grill. If you are not using a grill and just want to use your frying pan, pour the excess bacon fat into a jar/can to use later and add your pork burgers directly to that hot pan. They will need to cook for about 5-6 minutes/side depending how thick you made them and where you decide to cook them.

While the burgers cook on grill or pan, pull out a smaller saute pan, and add your fat of choice along with your minced garlic clove and heat up under medium-high heat.

Once the garlic smell fills the air, add your coconut milk, oranges, and green chiles to the mixture.

Add a bit of salt and pepper to the mix and stir. Turn the heat down low and let simmer for about 3-4 minutes.

Once the burgers are cooked through, top them off with the spicy orange dressing.

bacon recipe source: Juli Bauer, paleomg.com (@paleOMG), June 20, 2011

3959. BACON-WRAPPED MAPLE HALIBUT

2 halibut fillets

1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon dijon
Ground pepper
12 strips of bacon
Brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil, and place an ovenproof rack on top, and then set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dijon, and a dash of ground pepper until smooth.

Add the halibut cubes, toss to coat, and marinate for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, arrange bacon pieces on the rack of the prepared baking sheet so they do not overlap. Par-bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, (bacon should still be somewhat pliable).

Remove bacon from the baking sheet onto paper towels and pat dry.

Then re-line baking sheet with new foil, replacing rack back on top. Wrap each halibut cube with a strip of bacon, and secure halibut cubes onto skewers. Then place onto the rack bare halibut side down. (You can toss the marinade at this point.) Sprinkle the skewered wrapped halibut with brown sugar. Bake in preheated oven until the halibut cubes are opaque and the bacon is crisp for about 20 minutes.

Remove from oven once bacon is crispy.

These can be served hot, warm, or at room temperature. Plate to serve.

bacon recipe source: Andrew Pooch, Angling Unlimited (@AUalaska), Sitka, Alaska, July 19, 2013

3948. BACON, STEAK and TOMATO SANDWICH

Serves 4


4 boneless top sirloin steaks, 1/4-inch thick
4 tablespoons butter
4 (6-inch) sub buns
1/2 pound shredded Gouda cheese
2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 pound bacon, cooked
Steak seasoning to taste
Whole-grain mustard to taste

Season steak; panfry to desired doneness.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown cut side of bun, top and bottom. Flip bun slices over when browned and top each with Gouda cheese. On half of the sandwich, place steak, sliced tomato and bacon. Place toasted bun top on sandwich and flip over one more time to continue melting cheese.

Keep prepared sandwich warm in the oven while cooking the other sandwiches. Serve with mustard.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Certified Angus Beef® , Certified Angus Beef LLC, 206 Riffel Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691

3934. WHITE BEAN SALAD with CHEDDAR, BACON and WALNUTS

Makes: 10 servings
Serving Size: about 2/3 cup


2 whole heads garlic
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil plus 1/3 cup, divided
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
3 15-ounce cans navy or great northern beans (see Tip), rinsed
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 medium orange bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Remove excess papery skin from garlic heads without separating the cloves. Slice the tips off, exposing the cloves. Place the heads on a piece of foil, drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil and wrap into a package. Roast until the garlic is very soft and starting to brown, 55 to 65 minutes. Carefully unwrap and let cool for 10 minutes.

Squeeze the garlic cloves into a food processor or blender. Add the remaining 1/3 cup oil, vinegar, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper. Puree until smooth.

Combine beans, bacon, bell pepper, celery, walnuts and parsley in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Add cheese and gently stir to combine. Serve at room temperature or cold.


bacon recipe source: EatingWell, May/June 2015

3925. MAPLE BACON WRAPPED ANDOUILLE BITES

Serves: 30


1 lb andouille sausage
1 lb thin sliced maple flavored bacon
1 ½ cups dark brown sugar, packed
3 Tbs stone ground mustard
3 Tbs sherry vinegar, or any type of wine vinegar
¼ C maple syrup
2 tsp rice wine vinegar
2 tsp black pepper
Garnish: black cracked pepper, parsley or chives

Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with baking rack that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick spray (the Aluminum foil and spray are a MUST – this is a messy recipe).

Cut the Andouille sausage down the middle lengthwise. Then cut each half into 1 inch pieces. Cut the 1 lb of bacon into 3rds. Wrap one bacon around each piece of sausage and secure with a toothpick. Set these aside while you make the glaze.

In a small saucepan, combine all the other ingredients (except the garnish). Heat over low heat and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved. Keep sauced warmed on stove top. Set aside ¼ cup of the glaze for the final glaze application.

Brush each bacon wrapped sausage with the glaze and set on the baking sheet/rack. Bake for a total of 40 minutes, remove the pan from the oven every 15 minutes and baste with the glaze. On removing from the oven, use a spoon and drizzle a small amount of the glaze that you set aside onto each bacon wrapped sausage bite. (don’t use the basting brush you had already been using as it has probably touched the raw bacon you started out with and this application will not be going back in the oven). Serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Wendi Spraker, Loaves and Dishes (@loavesanddishes), January 4, 2015

3901. BACON WRAPPED KIELBASA BITES with BROWN SUGAR GLAZE

Yields 8


1 lb. kielbasa
10 slices bacon
1 1/2 C brown sugar, packed
3 Tbsp stone-ground mustard
3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with a baking/cooling rack. Lightly spray the rack with non-stick spray.

Cut kielbasa done the middle, lengthwise. Slice each half into 1 inch pieces, you should have about 30 pieces of kielbasa. Cut each piece of bacon into thirds. Wrap one bacon strip around each piece of kielbasa and secure with a toothpick. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and pepper. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Keep warm on low.

Brush the kielbasa with glaze and place on the baking sheet/rack. Bake for 40 minutes and baste every 15 minutes. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Sharon Lachendro, What The Fork Food Blog (@WhatTheForkBlog), December 18, 2014

3865. BACON CHEDDAR CROISSANT TURNOVERS

Serves: 18


1 package puff pastry
9 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
4 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into 3 inch slices
3 tablespoons dijon mustard (optional)

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Unroll the 2 sheets of puff pastry and flatten slightly. Cut each sheet into 9 squares, use the lines where it was folded to start. This makes it much easier to get it even. Place 1 tablespoon chopped bacon in center of each puff pastry square. Top bacon with cheese slice and 1 teaspoon mustard (if you choose to use the mustard). Fold pastry over to form a triangle. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal the pastry. Place on a piece of parchment paper on a sheet tray. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot. 


bacon recipe source: Paula Jones, Call Me PMc, August 2014

3861. BRAISED RED CABBAGE with BACON

8 servings


1 medium head red cabbage
6 thick slices applewood-smoked bacon or other smoked bacon, cut into lardons (about 1/4-by-1/4-by-3/4-inch pieces)
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Slice cabbage in half lengthwise. Use a sharp knife to cut a V-shaped notch around the white core and discard it. Slice both pieces in half again so you have 4 quarters, then thinly slice each piece crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Set aside.

Place bacon in a large Dutch oven or other large, heavy-bottomed pot with a tightfitting lid over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and most of the fat has rendered.

Add onion and stir to coat in the bacon fat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook until the onion softens and the edges begin to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the reserved cabbage, stir to coat in bacon fat, and cook until the cabbage begins to wilt, about 4 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar and mustard.

Deglaze the pan with the cider vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a spatula. Add the chicken broth and season with a few pinches of salt and more freshly ground pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low and cover the pan tightly. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is soft and soupy and the bacon is tender, about 45 minutes. If the cabbage begins to look dry, add more broth or water.


bacon recipe source: Regan Burns, Moktoberfest! menu, Chowhound (@CHOW), October 5, 2006

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

3844. BACON WRAPPED ROAST BEEF with MUSTARD and HORSERADISH

Serves 4


3 1/2 lb top sirloin roast beef
6 slices bacon
¼ cup softened butter, clarified butter or other cooking fat
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp of Dijon or homemade mustard
1 tbsp good quality or homemade horseradish
3/4 cup red wine
1 3/4 cups homemade beef stock

Preheat your oven to 400 F.

In a small bowl, combine the butter or other cooking fat, garlic, mustard and horseradish. Mix until smooth.

Rub the roast all over with the mixture.

Lay the bacon pieces out flat so that they are slightly overlapping. Then place the roast on top of the bacon and wrap the pieces around the roast. If needed, use toothpicks to hold the bacon in place.

Place the roast in a roasting dish and cook at 400 F for 20 minutes.

Once the roast has been in for 20 minutes, add the wine and stock to the roasting dish. At the same time, adjust the heat to 350 F.

Roast for about 70 minutes, depending on how well-done you like your meat. 20 minutes per pound is a good rule of thumb for a medium rare to medium well roast.


bacon recipe source: Sébastien Noël, Paleo Leap (@PaleoLeap)

3841. BACON and EGG DIP

4 to 6 servings



6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, whites and yolks separated

2 tablespoons real mayonnaise, plus more if needed

2 tablespoons dill pickle relish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon minced shallots

1 tablespoon cider vinegar, plus more if needed

2 teaspoons finely shaved chives

1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup liquid bacon fat (warm slightly if solid)

Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Assorted crudité such as baby carrots, fennel, celery and cherry tomatoes, for serving



Chop the egg whites and yolks separately and put them in separate bowls.



Add the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, shallots, vinegar, chives and dill to the yolks and whisk until smooth. Whisk the bacon fat into the yolk mixture. Loosen with more vinegar or mayonnaise if necessary. Fold in the chopped egg whites and season with salt and pepper.



Serve with assorted crudité for dipping.


bacon recipe source: Geoffrey Zakarian, "Summer Celebration," The Kitchen, Food Network

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

3810. SPINACH, BACON, FETA and MANDARIN ORANGE SALAD

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

1 tablespoon sesame oil

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

Salad

8 cups packed spinach leaves (prewashed, bag type)

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

½ cup crumbled bacon pieces

¼ cup thinly sliced red onion

1 - 11 oz can Mandarin oranges, well drained

Combine all dressing ingredients in a small container or jar. Shake, shake, shake and put in the fridge to chill. 30 minutes should do it.

Combine all salad ingredients. Toss with a few tablespoons of dressing and serve!

bacon recipe source: Kathi, Laughing Spatula (@LaughingSpatula), August 28, 2014

3809. STRAWBERRY BACON SPINACH SALAD with POPPY SEED DRESSING

Serves: 6


1 pound of baby spinach

½ pound strawberries, washed, hulled, and diced

1 (10 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained

½ cup grated Swiss cheese

½ pound cooked bacon, chopped

½ pound button mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and sliced (optional)

½ cup candied pecan pieces

For the Dressing

2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon white vinegar

2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon maple syrup

⅓ cup grapeseed oil (or other neutral flavored oil)

2 tablespoons grated red onion

¼ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients and toss well.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing. Pour dressing over salad just before serving and toss.

bacon recipe source: Allison Ruth (@somethewiser), Some the Wiser, July 1, 2014

3807. BACON-WRAPPED MEATLOAF with BELL PEPPERS

Serves four to six


1 Tbs. vegetable or olive oil; more for the baking sheet

1 cup diced red, yellow, or green bell peppers (or a mix)

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1-1/2 tsp. minced garlic

3/4 lb. ground beef, 85-percent lean

3/4 lb. ground veal

3/4 lb. ground pork

1/2 cup tomato ketchup

1 Tbs. Dijon-style mustard

1-1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

3/4 cup fresh plain breadcrumbs

1 egg

1-1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

About 8 slices raw bacon

Heat the oven to 350°F. In a small skillet, heat the oil; add the peppers and onions and cook over medium heat until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté another 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients except the bacon, and add the cooled onion-garlic mixture. Mix with a rubber spatula or your hands just until the ingredients are combined. Don't overwork the meat.

Oil a rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan, turn the meat mixture out onto the pan, and shape it into a large loaf (I like mine to look like a slightly oval loaf of bread). Or divide the mixture into four equal portions (about 6 oz. each) and shape each portion into an individual meatloaf. Wrap strips of bacon around the shaped loaf, tucking the ends under the loaf.

Bake the meatloaf until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F, 50 to 60 minutes for a large loaf, or 25 to 35 minutes for smaller loaves. Before slicing, let the meatloaf rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow some carryover cooking and to let the juices redistribute. To serve, slice and spoon some of the pan juices over the slices, if you like.

bacon recipe source: Joseph Verde, Fine Cooking, Issue 31

3790. SMOKED TROUT and BACON PITAS

makes 4 pitas

10 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 10 slices)

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons grainy mustard

Salt and freshly ground pepper

6 ounces skinless smoked trout fillets, flaked

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (1/2 pound), halved

1/4 pound frisée, torn (4 cups)

2 scallions, thinly sliced

Four 7-inch pita breads

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderately high heat until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the sour cream and mustard and season with salt and pepper. Add the bacon, smoked trout, cherry tomatoes, frisée and scallions and toss to coat. Spoon the salad into the pita breads and serve.

bacon recipe source: Annie Miller, Food & Wine, August 2004

3782. STEAMED MUSSELS in a CREOLE MUSTARD, BACON and COGNAC CREAM SAUCE

Yield: 4 servings

6 ounces bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch dice
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons Creole or other whole grain mustard
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
4 pounds mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded
1/4 cup cognac
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves, plus additional for garnish
Crusty bread, for serving

Set a very large saute pan over medium heat and render the bacon in the pan until crispy, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside on a paper-lined plate to drain. Add the shallots to the pan and saute, stirring often, for 1 minute. Add the garlic to the pan and saute for 30 seconds. Raise the heat to medium-high and deglaze the pan with the white wine. Reduce the wine until nearly evaporated, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mustard, cream, salt and pepper to the pan. Bring the pan to a boil. Add the mussels, cognac and parsley to the pan and stir once, cover with a lid, and cook until the mussels just begin to open, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the lid, stir the mussels, and return the bacon to the pan.

Serve in a very large, deep bowl, with a thick slice of crusty bread and more parsley for garnish.

bacon recipe source: Emeril Lagasse, "Cookin' with Spirits," Emeril Live, Food Network, 2004

3781. BEER-STEAMED MUSSELS with BACON

serves 2 to 4

4 strips of bacon, chopped

1 large shallot, minced (about 1/2 cup)

4 medium cloves of garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)

3 sprigs fresh thyme

3/4 cup Belgian-style ale, or witbier

2 pounds fresh mussels, scrubbed clean and beards removed

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

Crusty bread, for serving

Place the bacon in a large stainless steel skillet set over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Set bacon aside.

Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots soften and the garlic just begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the thyme to the pan and stir in the beer, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. When the beer begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cleaned mussels to the pan in a single layer. Place a lid on the pan and simmer for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, check the mussels. Using a pair of tongs, remove any mussels that have opened and transfer to a large bowl. Cover the pan again and simmer for another 5 minutes, transferring any opened mussels to the large bowl.

When all of the mussels are opened and transferred to the bowl, whisk the Dijon mustard into the sauce in the pan. Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper. Keep in mind that the bacon, as well as the liquor given up by the mussels, are both salty, so not much additional salt may be needed.

Pour the finished sauce over the mussels, then sprinkle on the reserved bacon, as well as the chopped parsley. Serve the mussels with crusty bread and cold beer.

bacon recipe source: Marvin Gapultos (Burnt Lumpia), contributing writer, Serious Eats, October 3, 2012