3735. BEER, BACON and MAPLE SYRUP POUTINE

4 baker potatoes

olive oil
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic salt

4 strips of bacon chopped up
4 slices of peameal bacon chopped
1 tbsp butter
1 garlic clove minced
2 cups of stout beer
1 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp maple syrup
salt

cheese curds
green onions

Start by slicing each potato lengthwise into four potato slabs. Then cut each slab into thin fries about a centimeter thick. Keep the fries fresh by storing them in a bowl of cold water. Before use, drain the fries and pat them dry. This is to ensure that the spices and oil stick.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place all the fries in a bowl and sprinkle over the paprika, garlic salt and a couple glugs of olive oil. Roll the fries around and coat evenly. Spread out on two baking sheets making sure that each fry is in contact with the sheet, this will ensure they get crispy. Cook the fries for 50 minutes. Every 20 minutes rotate the trays and give the fries a flip. Hint: you’re going to need a thin spatula to get the fries up and off the baking sheet in order to flip them.

While the fries are cooking start on the gravy by frying up both types of bacon in an ungreased pan on medium high heat. Once crispy, pull out the bacon and let drain on a plate covered with a paper towel. Save the grease. For the gravy, add the butter to the bacon grease and let melt. Then spoon in the flour and stir until a paste forms. Throw in the garlic and stir until it becomes fragrant. Finally whisk in the beer, mustard, Worcestershire, maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Let thicken over a low heat.

To build the poutine, place all the fries on one baking sheet and layer in the cheese curds and bacon pieces. Then pour over the gravy and place back in the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is good and melted. Top with green onions and enjoy!

bacon recipe source: Julie Nolke, Feeling Peckish? March 6, 2015

1689. PEAMEAL BACON SLIDERS

makes 24 sliders


1 small sweet or Vidalia onion
2 tablespoons salted butter
1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1/2 cup sodium-reduced chicken broth
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup grainy mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 lb peameal bacon, sliced 1/4-inch thick
24 mini-buns or small dinner rolls
24 gherkins, cornichons, small pickled peppers or cocktail onions

Cut onion into 1/4-inch thick rings. In skillet, melt butter over medium heat; cook onion and half each of the salt and pepper until softened, about 8 minutes. Add chicken broth; cook, stirring, until no liquid remains, 8 minutes. Set aside and keep warm. In large bowl, combine maple syrup, mustard, and remaining salt and pepper; set aside. In nonstick skillet, heat half of the oil over medium-high heat; cook bacon, in batches and adding more oil if necessary, turning once, until tender and golden, about 4 minutes. Cut each slice into 4 pieces. Add to maple mixture; toss to coat. Cut buns in half; broil, cut side up, on baking sheet until golden and toasted, about 1 minute. In saucepan, warm bacon mixture over medium heat, 1 to 3 minutes. Stack 4 pieces bacon on each base of bun; top with onions then top half of bun. Secure with gherkin-skewered toothpick.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Canadian Living Test Kitchen, Canadian Living.com, # Transcontinental Publications Inc., 25 Sheppard Avenue West, Suite 100 Toronto, Ontario M2N 6S7 Canada