2821. CREAMY BACON and OLIVE TAPENADE SPAGHETTI

yields four servings 


6 ounces pitted black olives, drained
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 teaspoon capers
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
8 ounces spaghetti
5 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
freshly grated parmesan cheese and additional chopped fresh basil for garnish, optional 

In the bowl of a food processor, place the olives, chopped garlic, anchovy paste, capers, lemon zest, walnuts, chopped basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Process until finely chopped. With the processor running, stream in the olive oil and process until fully combined; set aside. 

Bring 3-4 quarts of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Break spaghetti in half lengthwise, add to boiling water and salt according to taste. Cook spaghetti according to package directions to al dente. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water; set both spaghetti and pasta water aside. 

Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add in the bacon and cook until crisp, approximately 4-5 minutes; remove bacon from skillet and set aside. Remove and discard all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings from the skillet. Place skillet with bacon drippings back over medium heat. Add in the onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add in the minced garlic, cook 1 additional minute. To the onions, add in the reserved olive tapenade mixture, cream cheese and about 1/4 cup of the pasta water and cook until cream cheese melts, approximately 1-2 minutes. Add in the reserved spaghetti, reserved bacon, minced basil, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; mix until fully combined, adding in enough of the remaining pasta water to loosen up the cream cheese mixture and create a sauce. 

To serve, place spaghetti onto a serving platter or dinner plate and garnish with parmesan cheese and additional fresh basil.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Sirbarney (member), Relish.com

2820. TURKEY, BACON and MUENSTER SANDWICHES

makes four sandwiches


4 bacon slices
1 loaf sourdough or roasted garlic bread
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 lb. thinly sliced, smoked deli turkey
1 (12-oz.) jar roasted red bell peppers, drained and sliced
1-oz. slices Muenster or Havarti cheese

Cook bacon. Cut top off bread loaf and reserve; hollow out loaf, leaving 1-inch-thick shell. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette evenly in bottom of bread shell. Layer with half the turkey, peppers and cheese. Repeat layers and top with bacon. Drizzle evenly with remaining vinaigrette and cover with reserved bread top. Press down firmly and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours before serving. Slice to make 4 sandwiches 


bacon recipe courtesy of: Mama Dean's Southern Cooking at Meador Homestead by Dean Meador Smith. Indigo River Publishing, 2012; Today in Mississippi, The Electric Power Associations of Mississippi

2819. TUNA BACON CAKES

makes about 7 to 8 patties


1 cup cooked sweet potato, mashed
2 to 3 green onions, finely diced
10 ounces canned wild albacore tuna, drained
2 to 3 slices cooked bacon, diced
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, minced
Zest from 1/2 lemon (about 1/2 teaspoon)
2 pastured eggs
2 tablespoons coconut flour
sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
coconut oil, avocado oil, or bacon grease

In a large bowl mix together all ingredients through coconut flour. Season with salt and pepper. In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat add fat of choice (coconut oil, avocado oil, or bacon grease), just enough to coat pan. Form mixture into patties, should make about 7 or 8 patties. Place about 3 to 4 patties into skillet, leave enough room around patties so they cook evenly. Cook patties on each side until golden and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Serve immediately over a salad or as you wish. Highly recommend with diced avocado.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Heather Connell, Multiply Delicious, August 14, 2012

2818. POT ROAST studded with ALMONDS and BACON

serves six


3 pounds (1.35 kg) brisket in one piece, trimmed of some of the fat

1½ tablespoons slivered almonds

8 ounces (225 g) bacon or ham, cut into small pieces

3 large ancho chiles, seeds and veins removed

1½ tablespoons mild vinegar

¾ cup (185 ml) water

3 whole cloves, crushed

½-inch (1.5 cm) piece of cinnamon stick, crushed

4 peppercorns, crushed

6 sprigs fresh thyme or 1½ teaspoon dried

6 sprigs fresh marjoram or 1½ teaspoon dried

¼ teaspoon dried mexican oregano, or ½ teaspoon dried oaxacan oregano

3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

3 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil

Salt to taste

1½ pounds (675 g) red bliss or new potatoes

 

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).

Pierce the meat all over with a knifepoint and insert the almonds and bacon. Set it aside while the sauce is prepared.

Toast the chiles lightly, turning them often so they won’t burn. Put the chiles into a bowl, cover with hot water, and leave them to soak for about 10 minutes.

Put the vinegar and water into the blender jar, add the spices, herbs, and garlic, and blend as smoothly as possible. Add the chiles and blend to a fairly smooth consistency.

Heat the lard in a Dutch oven and when it is very hot sear the meat well all over. Remove the meat and set it aside. Drain off the fat, leaving only 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add the sauce to the pan and let it cook fast for about 5 minutes, stirring it all the time. Add salt to taste.

Return the meat to the pan and baste it with the sauce. Cover the casserole with a tightly fitting lid and cook the meat in the oven for about 2 hours.

Put the potatoes, unskinned, into a saucepan, cover them with boiling water, and let boil fast for 5 minutes. Drain them and set them aside to cool. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, skin.

Remove the casserole from the oven, turn the meat over, and baste it well with the sauce. Scrape the sauce from the sides and bottom of the pan and add a little water if it has thickened too much.

Put the potatoes into the sauce around the meat, replace the lid, and let the meat cook until it is very tender, but not falling apart-test after 1 hour and 10 minutes. Slice the meat fairly thick and place it on a serving dish with the potatoes around it. Pour the sauce over it. 


bacon recipe courtesy of: Diana Kennedy, The Essential Cuisines of Mexico; Men's Fitness

2817. CLAMS, BACON and DASHI

serves four


canola oil for frying

6 rashers smoked streaky bacon, cut into pieces
600ml water
5-cm piece ginger, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
4 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 teaspoon instant dashi
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin
1.5kg clams, cleaned of grit

In a frying pan, heat a little oil, add the bacon and fry until crisp. Drain on paper towels. In a large wide saucepan, heat the water with the ginger and 3 of the spring onions. When it comes to the boil, add the dashi, stir to dissolve then add the soy sauce and mirin. When the mixture comes back to the boil, add the clams, cover with a tight-fitting lid and steam for a few minutes until all have opened (discard any that don’t open). Spoon the clams into warmed bowls, add some broth to each, garnish with the remaining spring onion and sprinkle with the bacon. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Ginny Grant, Cuisine Magazine,  PO Box 6341, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141, Auckland 1021, New Zealand

2816. TOFU WANZI (FRIED TOFU and BACON FRITTERS)

makes about 3½ dozen


2 (12½-oz.) boxes soft or silken tofu
1 (12½-oz.) box firm tofu
⅔ cup panko bread crumbs
⅓ cup flour
¼ cup sesame oil
5 scallions, finely chopped
4 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
Canola oil, for frying

Place all the tofu on a bed of about 6 paper towels on a baking sheet and cover with 6 more paper towels and another sheet. Place a cast-iron skillet on sheet to weight it down; let sit until tofu is drained of most of its liquid, at least 6 hours or overnight, in the refrigerator. Transfer pressed tofu to a large bowl; mash coarsely with a fork. Stir in bread crumbs, flour, sesame oil, scallions, bacon, eggs, and salt and pepper until evenly combined.

Pour oil to a depth of 2″ in a 6-qt. Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350°. Portion 2 tbsp. of the tofu mixture and shape into a miniature football shape using two spoons; repeat with remaining tofu mixture. Fry until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and serve immediately, with a dipping sauce, if you like.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Mei Chin, Saveur 100, Issue #144, 2012

2815. FRIED HOMINY with BACON and GREEN ONIONS

2 cans of hominy (white or yellow)
2-3 slices bacon
3 green onions

Fry the bacon; remove and drain on paper towels. Toss in sliced green onions. When the onions start to sizzle, add the hominy (drained) and fry in the bacon grease. Fry until hominy is crispy; do not overcook. Crumble the bacon on top and enjoy.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Recipes on the Cheap, November 8, 2011

2814. BACON, CHEDDAR and GRILLED TOMATO PANINI

serves four


4 roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise, pulp and seeds removed
olive oil
coarse sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
8 basil leaves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
8 slices sourdough bread
8 slices bacon, fully cooked
4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced

Preheat the panini grill to high heat.  Ensure the grill is on a slight tilt (not completely flat) and be sure to attach your drip tray.

Brush the cut side of the tomatoes with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place the tomatoes, cut side down, onto the panini grill. Lower the top grate to just above the tomatoes without touching them. Grill tomatoes for 10-12 minutes until the outer skins are wrinkly and the tomatoes are soft. Check the tomatoes often, as some may cook faster than others. Remove the tomatoes from the grill and sprinkle with basil.

Brush melted butter onto the outer sides of each slice of bread. For each sandwich, layer two slices of bacon, two grilled tomatoes and 1/4 of the cheese in between two slices of bread (buttered side out). Grill the panini for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. Serve immediately and enjoy!


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kathy Strahs, Panini Happy, January 20, 2009

2813. TAGLIATELLE with STAR ANISE and SMOKED BACON BOLOGNESE

serves four


fresh tagliatelle, cooked in a large pan of boiling salted water
2 teaspoons sunflower oil
2-3 rashers smoked bacon (back or streaky), finely chopped
500 grams lean beef mince
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 whole star anise
500 ml beef stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large frying pan and cook the bacon for 3-4 minutes, until all the water (if any) has been released and boiled away and the bacon starts to crisp. Add the mince and continue to cook until the mince is browned all over, approx. 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and wipe the pan clean. Add the other tablespoon of oil and cook the onions, then chopped carrot, then garlic, until soft, taking care not to burn, approx. 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and star anise to the pan and stir through. Return the mince and bacon to the pan and stir through. Add the stock and bring to the boil. At this stage, you can either reduce the Bolognese to a very low simmer and cook for approx. 1 hour, until the meat is tender, but my preferred method for a deeper flavour a slow cooker. Transfer the Bolognese mixture to a slow cooker, set on LOW, and cook for 2-3 hours until the mince is tender. Serve with (ideally) fresh tagliatelle, cooked in a large pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions, approx. 3-4 minutes.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Keith Kendrick, Reluctant Housedad's Recipe Shed, January 14, 2013

2812. BACON-WRAPPED BRATS with RED CABBAGE

yields four


2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound red cabbage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/4 cup sugar or light brown sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
Salt and pepper
3 crisp apples, such as Braeburn, Liberty, Gala, diced
2 tablespoons golden raisins
1 teaspoon cumin seed or caraway seed
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
12 wurst or brat sausages of your favorite variety
12 slices lean, center-cut smoky bacon
Mustards and pickles to pass at the table

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and let soften a couple of minutes then wilt in cabbage. Toss with sugar and vinegar to coat, season with salt and pepper. Add apples, raisins, cumin or caraway seed, cinnamon stick and bay; reduce heat to medium and cover. Cook to tender and when the liquids come out of cabbage, 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Remove sausages and dry them. Wrap each of them with one slice of bacon, overlapping as you work. Arrange the bacon-wrapped sausages on a slotted broiler pan and bake to crisp, around 30 minutes. Serve sausages with cabbage, buttered rye or pumpernickel bread, or some buttered egg noodles tossed with herbs like dill, chive and parsley. Pass mustards and pickles at table.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rachael Ray Show, October 12, 2012 | KWP Studios Inc., CBS Television Distribution, 328 8th Ave, Suite 149, New York, NY 10001

2811. BLT STRUDEL

makes 10-12 servings 

 

 

12 large eggs, divided

1⁄2 cup mayonnaise

1 pound bacon, chopped

1(6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1 cup seeded and chopped tomato

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

 

In a large bowl, whisk together 11 eggs and mayonnaise until smooth. Set aside.

 

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in skillet; heat over medium heat. Add spinach and garlic; cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until spinach is wilted. Add egg mixture, and cook until eggs are set, but not dry, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese, tomato, salt, and reserved bacon. Spoon mixture into a medium bowl; cover and chill for 30 minutes.

 

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

 

On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 sheet of puff pastry into a 12x10-inch rectangle, trimming edges as necessary. Spoon half of egg mixture down center of pastry, leaving a 3-inch margin on sides and a 1-inch margin on top and bottom. Cut pastry on side margins into 1-inch strips. Crisscross strips over filling. Carefully transfer strudel to one side of prepared baking sheet. Repeat procedure with remaining pastry and egg mixture.

 

In a small bowl, whisk remaining egg until smooth. Brush egg evenly over strudels. Bake for 30 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Cut into slices to serve.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Cooking with Paula Deen, March/April 2010  

2810. BACON, OATMEAL, and RAISIN COOKIES

makes 18–20 


8 ounces sliced bacon, cut into 1/4-inch squares 
2 1/4 cups cake flour 
1 teaspoon baking powder 
1 teaspoon kosher salt 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar 
2/3 cup sugar 
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 
2 large eggs 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1 cup old-fashioned oats 
2/3 cup raisins

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown and crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels.

Whisk flour and next 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat both sugars and butter in a large bowl, occasionally scraping down sides, until well blended, 2–3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between additions. Add vanilla; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 4–5 minutes. Mix in dry ingredients.

Fold bacon, oats, and raisins into batter and stir until evenly incorporated (dough will be sticky; chill briefly for easier handling, if desired). Using a 2-oz. ice cream scoop or 1/4-cup measure and forming dough into balls, scoop batter onto prepared sheets, spaced at least 3 inches apart. Chill dough for 1 hour or cover and chill overnight.

Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 375°. Bake cookies, rotating pans halfway through, until edges are light golden brown and centers are still slightly soft, 20–22 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely. do ahead: Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Autumn Martin, Hot Cakes, for Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Seattle, Washington | Bon Appetit, March 2012

2809. PAN-ROASTED MONKFISH with CABBAGE and BACON

serves two


1 lb. monkfish loin

2 cups chopped Savoy cabbage
1/4 pound slab bacon
1 cup rich chicken stock
1 tablespoon chopped coriander
2 tablespoons butter

Cut the bacon into 1/4" slices (see image above). Saute the bacon in an oven proof pan. Set the bacon to rest on a paper towel. Cook the cabbage for 3 minutes in chicken stock. Add 1/2 the bacon and cook another 1 minute. Pan roast the monkfish in the bacon fat that was rendered till browned. Put in a preheated 500F oven and roast for 5 minutes. Let the monkfish rest for 5 minutes.

Assembly: Reheat the cabbage and bacon with the finely chopped coriander and the butter into the liquid broth. Place the cabbage and bacon in the center of a heated plate. Garnish with any remaining bacon. Cut the monkfish in half and place a top the cabbage.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Greenmarket Recipes

2808. POTATO and BACON SOUP with CORN and BACON SOFRITO

1/2 cup onions, diced
1/4 cup leeks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced bacon
1/2 cup small diced potatoes
1/4 cup cilantro
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

Bacon Sofrito:
1 cup fresh corn
1/2 cup red peppers, diced into small pieces
2 tablespoons bacon fat
1/2 small onion, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced

Sear bacon in a sauté pan until crispy. Stir in remaining ingredients, and let mixture simmer until potatoes are nearly liquid. Top with bacon sofrito and serve hot.

Sauté all ingredients at high heat for 5 minutes. Place sofrito on top of the soup.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Lorena Garcia, Top Chef Masters, Season 4, Episode 7, Elimination Challenge, Bravo TV

2807. SWEET CORN PANNA COTTA with BACON and BLUE CHEESE

makes eight 4-oz. servings


2 cups whole milk, divided
2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
1 cup heavy cream
3 ears sweet corn, husked, kernels sliced off
1/4-1/2 cup sugar (to taste, depending on sweetness of corn)
crumbled blue cheese
crumbled crispy bacon

Pour 1/2 cup of whole milk in a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin evenly over the top to soften it. Set the bowl aside. Combine the heavy cream, remaining 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and corn in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer (not a boil) and stir occasionally for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, whisk in the milk/gelatin mixture, and let steep for 20-30 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher with a pour spout. Pour the mixture into 6-8 ramekins or fancy glasses and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, scatter blue cheese and bacon over the top.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kris Hase, Twin Cities Taste, Minnesota Monthly, September 6, 2011

2806. WARM BACON and HERB COLESLAW

serves 8-10 


1 head cabbage (1 1/4 lbs.), cored and thinly sliced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 
1 large carrot, shredded 
2 cups flat-leaf parsley leaves 
1/2 cup fresh oregano leaves 
8 strips thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-in. pieces
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced 
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 
1 tablespoon sugar 
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Combine cabbage, onion, carrot, and herbs in a large bowl. Set aside. Cook bacon over medium heat, stirring often, until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain; set aside. Add shallot to hot bacon grease and cook, stirring occasionally over medium heat, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add mustard, sugar, and vinegar and stir to combine. Stir in oil, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over reserved vegetables along with half the reserved bacon and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle remaining bacon over slaw and serve immediately.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Sunset Magazine, July 2011

2805. CORN and BACON MUFFINS with HERB BUTTER

makes four servings 


Muffins 
12 ounces hardwood-smoked bacon, coarsely chopped 
2 1/2 cups self-rising flour 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
1 1/4 cups whole milk 
3 large eggs 
2 cups grated white sharp cheddar cheese 
1 cup fresh yellow corn kernels (from 1 cob) 
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh chives

Herb Butter
1 stick softened unsalted butter 
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives 
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the muffins: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cook the bacon in a heavy large sauté pan over medium heat for about 8 minutes, or until the bacon is brown and crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels.

Brush 12 standard-size muffin cups generously with some of the bacon drippings from the pan, and set aside 1/2 cup of the remaining bacon pan drippings to cool slightly.

Whisk the flour, salt and cayenne pepper in a large bowl to blend.

Whisk the milk, eggs and reserved bacon pan drippings in another large bowl to blend, then stir in the bacon, 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, the corn kernels and the chives. Stir the milk mixture into the flour mixture just until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, dividing equally and mounding generously. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.

Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the muffins are golden and a tester inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Cool slightly.

For the herb butter: Mix the butter, chives, and parsley in a medium bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread the butter over wax or parchment paper and roll into a small log and refrigerate until set.

Run a small sharp knife around the muffins to loosen them from the pan then remove the muffins and serve warm with pats of the herb butter.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Curtis Stone, Huffington Post, October 27, 2011

2804. PENNE ALFREDO with BACON and BROCCOLI

1 pound penne pasta
2 cups chopped broccoli (about 2 heads)
5 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste

grilled chicken (optional)

Bring a large stock pot of water to a rolling boil. Boil pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is boiling, fry the diced bacon until crisp. Add in the broccoli florets and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until they are tender-crisp. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan, add the butter and heavy cream until heated through and butter is melted. Add in the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is thoroughly melted and sauce is a smooth, creamy consistency. Drain pasta when done and add to a large serving bowl. Pour in the bacon and broccoli and toss it in with the penne. Pour the Alfredo sauce over top of the penne and stir until well combined. Serve topped with sliced grilled chicken, if desired.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Karly Campbell, Buns In My Oven, May 13, 2011

2803. BACON and SWISS BREAKFAST BURRITOS

6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled

2 green onions finely chopped (white & green parts)

6 eggs

6 tablespoons milk

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup swiss cheese

8 flour tortillas

 

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. In a skillet sprayed with cooking spray, cook eggs over medium heat until set. Add in bacon, onions, and cheese. Cook just until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 5-10 minutes. Use a 1/3 cup of mixture for each tortilla. Wrap in saran wrap and foil and freeze. To reheat from frozen, place in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Kristi's Recipe Box, February 6, 2012

2802. TRIPE, BUTTER BEANS, and SMOKED BACON

yields 4-6 servings


500 grams fresh honeycomb tripe (from the reticulum of the ox)

350 grams smoked bacon, skin removed and reserved

4 grams large onions, thinly sliced

4 carrots, halved

1 leek, halved

1 small bunch thyme in muslin

2 bay leaves

chicken stock

Pinch of mace

500 butterbeans soaked overnight and drained

1 garlic bulb, split

4 ounces butter

4 grams onions thinly sliced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 bunches watercress, stalks trimmed

Salt and fresh black pepper

 

Rinse the tripe several times, then bring to boil in salted water. Remove immediately and drain in a colander. In a large pot, place the tripe, onion, carrots, leek, thyme, and bay leaves. Fill with enough chicken stock to cover by about 1 inch. Add the bacon skin along with any bacon trim, check the seasoning, and add mace. Bring gently to a boil and reduce to a simmer. After 2 hours, check the tripe (it should be soft enough to pierce but not melted into stock). When ready remove the tripe and chill in the fridge. Pass the liquid through a fine sieve and refrigerate. In a separate pot, bring butter beans and water to a boil, then drain through a colander. Return to the pot with garlic and simmer until tender. Remove beans (discarding garlic) from heat and reserve water. Cut tripe into 1-inch pieces. Dice the skinless bacon and fry in a pot until golden, then reserve. Add butter and onions to pot and sweat until tender. Season carefully and add bacon, tripe, butter beans, and reserved tripe stock. Simmer gently, then season with salt and pepper. Add mustard and quickly wilt watercress before serving.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Fergus Henderson, St. John Restaurant, 26 St. John Street, London, UK EC1M 4AY

2801. ROTELLE with BACON, WATERCRESS and CHERRY TOMATOES

makes four servings 


1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips 
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 
1 teaspoon salt 
3/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper 
1 bunch watercress (about 5 ounces), tough stems removed 
3/4 pound rotelle 
2 tablespoons butter 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1 scallion including green top, cut into thin slices 
grated Parmesan cheese, for serving 

In a large frying pan, cook the bacon until golden brown and just crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the fat. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the pan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the tomatoes soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the watercress and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 1 minute. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rotelle until just done, about 12 minutes. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and toss with the bacon, 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, the tomato mixture, the butter, and the olive oil. If the pasta seems dry, add more of the reserved pasta water. Top with the sliced scallions. Serve with grated Parmesan.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Food & Wine Magazine.com

2800. BRUSSELS SPROUTS with BACON and MISO-MUSTARD

serves four


For the Brussels Sprouts:
3 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2 inch bits
20–24 small Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
1 tablespoon bacon fat, plus more to toss
Kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
grated Parmesan cheese

For the Miso-Mustard:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons white miso

Cook bacon in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-low heat until golden and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve bacon fat.

Place halved brussels sprouts in a medium sized bowl and toss gently with a small drizzle of bacon fat. The halves should be glistening with (not drowning in) the bacon fat.

Warm 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the same large frying pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the fat starts to shine a bit, swirl around the pan to coat the entire surface. Test the heat by placing one sprout cut side down in the pan. You should hear a slight sizzle. Anything more and the pan is too hot. You don’t want the sprouts to burn on the outside before their insides finish cooking. Working quickly, place the rest of the sprouts cut side down in the pan in a single layer. Do not try to overcrowd the sprouts. They can be touching; however, any sprouts that do not fit in the single layer, save for another batch or another use. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and cover.

Let the brussels sprouts cook for approximately 5 minutes. The flat bottoms should be slightly golden and the sprouts should be tender. Test for tenderness by spearing one of the sprouts with a fork. If the fork goes in and out with minimal resistance, the sprouts are cooked through. If you find your sprouts are not quite done, cover and let cook for an additional 1 – 2 minutes. I like to take a moment and move some of the darker golden brussels sprouts from the center of the pan to the outside and the barely colored sprouts from the outside in.

Once tender, uncover and turn up the heat from medium to medium-high. Cook the brussels sprouts until the flat bottoms are deeply golden and caramelized. Using a spatula, flip the sprouts so the rounded sides can get a little color. Season with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Finish with a heavy dusting of grated Parmesan cheese.

To make the miso-mustard, combine Dijon mustard, rice wine vinegar and white miso in a small bowl. Stir or whisk until smooth.

Transfer sprouts to a large plate. Top with crispy bacon and serve with miso-mustard.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Brandon Matzek, Kitchen Konfidence, San Diego, December 10, 2012

2799. BACON SHORTBREAD COOKIES

½ cup salted butter, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
dash of coarse sea salt
¼ cup crumbled bacon
1 cup all purpose flour
3 oz. dark chocolate, melted

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides. Add the salt, bacon, and flour. Mix on low speed until combined. The dough may appear crumbly. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Press together into a disc and wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the dough between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper and roll out to a ¼ inch thickness. Remove the plastic wrap and cut out cookies into desired shapes. Place the cut outs on trays and place the trays into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to let the cookies firm up.

Place the cookies into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until firm and lightly browned. Move the cookies to wire racks and cool completely.

Once the cookies are cooled, dip them into the melted chocolate. Move to waxed paper lined baking trays and place in the refrigerator to harden. Move the cookies to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Amy's Cooking Adventures, March 20, 2012; adapted from Joy of Baking.com

2798. STEAMED CORN with CLAMS and BACON

makes four servings


1/2 cup diced slab bacon

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
24 littleneck clams
2 ears corn, shucked and cut into 2-inch lengths
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons pimentón
aleppo pepper
handful fresh basil leaves, torn
healthy drizzle of olive oil 

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, sweat the bacon over medium heat. Once it begins to render, about 2 minutes, add the garlic and sweat until translucent. Add the clams, corn and white wine, and stir in the pimentón. Increase the heat to high and cook, uncovered, for about 30 seconds, until the alcohol has evaporated. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and steam until all the clams have opened and the corn is tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Discard any clams that don't open. Serve in a large bowl with a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper, torn basil and a generous drizzle of fruity olive oil.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Los Angeles Times, September 22, 2012 | adapted from Seamus Mullen's Hero Food: How Cooking with Delicious Things Can Make Us Feel Better, by Seamus Mullen. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2012

2797. SKILLET TURNIPS and POTATOES with BACON

makes six servings 


1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 
1 tablespoon sugar 
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
8 ounces thick-cut bacon slices, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces 
1 medium onion, thinly sliced 
4 large garlic cloves, peeled, crushed 
1 1/2 pounds turnips, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks 
1 1/2 pounds white-skinned potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks 
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt 
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

Mix 1/4 cup water, vinegar, and sugar in small bowl. Combine oil and bacon in heavy large skillet; sauté over medium-high heat until fat is rendered, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is golden, about 5 minutes. Add turnips and potatoes; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sea salt and toss 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until vegetables are almost tender, stirring and turning vegetables occasionally, about 15 minutes.

Push vegetables to 1 side of skillet. Pour vinegar mixture into cleared space. Toss vegetables with vinegar mixture. Spread vegetables in even layer in skillet; cook until golden and slightly crisp on bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn vegetables over; spread in even layer and cook until browned and slightly crisp on bottom, about 4 minutes. Continue to turn, spread, and cook vegetables until tender, golden, and crisp around edges, 7 to 8 minutes longer. Season with more sea salt and black pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with parsley.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Lidia Bastianich, Bon Appetit, October 2010

2796. GNOCCHI with BACON MARINARA and CRISPY ARUGULA

makes four servings 


1 package prepared gnocchi (4 serving size package) 
4 slices bacon, chopped 
½ whole medium onion, finely diced 
3 cloves garlic, minced and divided 
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
crushed red pepper, to taste
salt to taste 
1 tablespoon olive oil 
4 cups arugula, washed and coarsely chopped 
½ cups loose basil leaves, optional

Bring a pot of water with 1 tablespoon salt to a boil for the gnocchi. When it boils, boil the gnocchi for 2-4 minutes, as package directs. Cook just until the gnocchi floats to the top of the boiling water. Drain off the water and set the gnocchi aside until ready to use.

Meanwhile, make the marinara. Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add the bacon. Stir and cook for 5 minutes or so until bacon is browned at the edges but still somewhat soft. Add the onion to the bacon and cook for 2 minutes more, stirring.

Add half the garlic to the onion mixture and stir for 90 seconds, then add the crushed tomatoes. Taste the marinara, and add as much crushed red pepper and salt as you’d like. Let the sauce simmer very gently while you prepare the arugula.

Heat a separate skillet to medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the arugula and remaining garlic with a sprinkle of salt and saute for 90 seconds until wilted and crispy around the edges. Remove pan from heat and set aside.

Right before serving, add the drained cooked gnocchi and basil leaves to the marinara. Stir together.

Serve each portion of gnocchi topped with a bit of garlic arugula. Drizzle with good olive oil.

bacon recipe courtesy of: FunnyLoveLindsay, Tasty Kitchen, November 13, 2012

2795. BAKED EGGPLANT with BACON and MOZZARELLA

1 large eggplant
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 15oz can of diced tomatoes
1/2 pack of bacon, diced
1 pepper (yellow or green), diced
6 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper
6 basil leaves, cut into chiffonades

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut the eggplant in half, lengthwise, and scoop out the insides. Dice the insides. Place the hollowed eggplant “boats” on a non stick baking sheet. Heat a medium pan on medium heat. Stir-fry the bacon until done. Drain the fat from the bacon. Add the garlic, onion, and diced eggplant to the bacon in the pan. Cook until onions and eggplant are soft. Add the tomatoes and pepper. Cook the mixture down for around 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fill the eggplant “boats” with the mixture and cover with mozzarella slices. Bake for 25 minutes. Serve with basil on top.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Fork + Canvas, January 18, 2012

2794. PAN-FRIED BACON with POACHED EGG and BALSAMIC TOMATOES

serves two


1 teaspoon sunflower oil

4 rashers of rindless smoked back bacon 

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 

2 free-range very fresh eggs (fridge cold)

8 cherry tomatoes, halved

good handful of watercress 

drizzle of good-quality balsamic vinegar 

freshly ground black pepper

Brush a large non-stick frying pan with sunflower oil, using the tip of a pastry brush. Place the pan over a medium heat and add the bacon. Cook for two minutes until lightly browned, then turn and dry-fry on the other side for another three minutes. While the bacon is cooking, half fill a medium non-stick saucepan with water, add the vinegar and bring to the boil. Turn the heat to low, so the water is only just bubbling. Crack the eggs into the water, one at a time, spacing them well apart. Cook for 2½ minutes. The eggs should rise to the surface within a minute. If the egg white sticks to the bottom of the pan, lift it gently with a wooden spoon. Alternatively, you can use a hob-top egg poacher, lightly greased with sunflower oil. Add the tomatoes to the pan with the bacon and season with plenty of black pepper. Cook the tomatoes for about a minute until just beginning to soften, turning them once. Put a small pile of watercress on each plate. Place some bacon and tomatoes on the plates and drizzle with a dash of balsamic vinegar. Take the eggs out of the water with a slotted spoon and place them on top. Season with a little more pepper and tuck in right away while it’s all lovely and hot.

bacon recipe courtesy of: The Hairy Bikers, Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight, BBC-Food

2793. MAPLE BACON ICE CREAM

yields 8-10 servings


1 cup grade B maple syrup
4 cups half-and-half
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
5 egg yolks
1/2 pound thick-cut bacon (about 6 slices)
special equipment: candy thermometer, ice cream maker

In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, reduce the maple syrup to 1/2 cup. Set aside. Over moderate heat in a medium saucepan, heat the half-and-half with 1/2 cup sugar until hot and just bubbling around the edges. In a medium bowl, whisk the yolks with 1/2 cup sugar, then add 1 cup hot half-and-half mixture in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Pour the whole egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture coats the back of the spoon and registers 170 degrees F on a thermometer. Do not let boil. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl and whisk in the maple syrup. Cover with parchment paper letting the paper touch the surface of the mixture, to prevent a skin from forming. Chill the mixture until very cold, at least 6 hours and up to overnight. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with heavy foil. Place a baking rack over the lined sheet pan and arrange the bacon slices across the rack next to each other. Bake until crispy, about 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, finely chop. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside. Place the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring with a fork, until the sugar starts to melt. Stop stirring and cook until the sugar is a golden caramel color, about 10 minutes. Add the bacon and stir to coat. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and let harden. Chop the candied bacon into small pieces. Freeze the custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, 20 to 30 minutes and at the last minute, add the candied bacon and let churn until just combined. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Claire Robinson, "Beachy Keen," 5 Ingredient Fix, 2011, Food Network

2792. SOPA DA PANELA (SOUP OF THE KETTLE)

yields eight servings


1 2- to 2 1/2-pound chicken, with giblets
1/4 pound double-smoked slab bacon
6 ounces hot Italian sausages
6 ounces sweet Italian sausages
1/4 pound linguica, chorizo or pepperoni
2 medium yellow onions, peeled
6 large branches parsley
3 quarts cold water
6 ounces day-old French or Italian bread, cut in 1-inch cubes
10 small sprigs mint
3 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a large heavy kettle over moderate heat, bring the chicken, its giblets, the bacon, the whole sausages, the onions, parsley and water to a simmer, skimming off froth. Cover and simmer slowly 1 to 1 1/4 hours until the chicken is very tender. Arrange the bread cubes over the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart shallow heatproof casserole and scatter the mint sprigs evenly on top. When the chicken is done, lift it and all sausages from the kettle and cool until easy to handle. Discard the bacon, onions and parsley, then skim as much fat from the kettle liquid as possible. Add the pepper and 2 teaspoons of the salt, raise heat to high and boil uncovered while you cut up the meats. Slice the sausages 1/4 inch thick and lay in the casserole on top of the mint. Coarsely chop the giblets and scatter over all. Separate the chicken meat from the bones and skin, cut in bite-size pieces, and lay in the casserole. Taste the broth for salt and add more if needed. Pour the boiling broth into the casserole and let stand 5 minutes. Ladle into soup plates and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jean Anderson, "In Portugal, Cooking Via Moliere," The New York Times, March 4, 1987

2791. TOMATILLO GRILLED CHEESE and BACON SANDWICHES

serves 4 to 6


12 slices (1/2-inch thick) ciabatta bread
about 1/4 cup butter, softened
4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
about 4 tomatillos (6 oz.), husks removed, rinsed, and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
8 slices cooked bacon, broken into thirds
1/4 cup cilantro sprigs
6 oz. panela cheese or mozzarella, cut into thin wedges

Spread a side of each bread slice with butter. Turn 6 slices over; top with cheddar, then tomatillos, bacon, cilantro, and panela. Top with remaining bread, buttered side up. Cook sandwiches in a large nonstick frying pan (work in batches or use 2 pans) over medium-low heat until golden on both sides and cheese melts, 7 minutes total.


bacon recipe courtesy of: "In Season," Sunset, August 2012, p. 90

2790. ROASTED BRANZINO with BACON, SHRIMP and FRENCH BEANS

makes two servings


fresh branzino, cleaned and butterflied
2 pieces of good bacon
12 small cleaned shrimp
2 tablespoons good whole grain mustard
1 cup of panko bread crumbs
vegetable oil spray
juice of one fresh lemon
handful French beans ends trimmed

Beans: Steam until tender then sauté with a little butter and lemon juice and season to taste. Add some lemon zest and serve in the fish when ready.

Start by places one strip of bacon on each side of the fish. Now mix together the mustard and the mayo and paint the inside of the fish covering the bacon as well. Place about 12 small cleaned shrimp on the fish scattering evenly and finish with a layer of panko bread crumbs. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and spray a light coating of vegatable oil on the bread crumbs before putting in the oven. Now roast until the fish is golden brown about 15-20 min and you can see the fat has rendered out of the bacon. Now slid onto a plate and serve with the French beans in the middle and a little more lemon juice.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Benny Doro, February 19, 2011

2789. SWEET & SOUR BACON and GREEN BEANS

yields 4-6 servings 


1/2 pound bacon, cut into small chunks
1 onion, chopped
2 pounds green beans, ends trimmed and cut into manageable sized pieces
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and fry until crispy. Remove the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate and spoon out several Tablespoons of bacon grease and reserve for another use. Add the onion to the bacon grease and cook until softened. Add the green beans and cook until tender-crispy, or your desired tenderness. Add the sugar and vinegar and stir well. Add the bacon back to the pan and cook, stirring, for another minute or two. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Cate, Girl Cooks World, October 31, 2011, adapted from Southern Plate: Classic Comfort Food That Makes Everyone Feel Like Family, by Christy Jordan; William Morrow Cookbooks, 2010

2788. ONION, BACON and BUTTERNUT TART

serves 6 as a main course, 12 as an appetizer


all-purpose flour for rolling dough
14 ounces whole wheat pizza dough, thawed if frozen
5 slices thick-cut bacon
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 (10 ounces) package frozen diced butternut squash (1 1/2 cups), thawed
1 1/2 cup (about 6 ounces) grated Fontina or Gruyère cheese
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

On a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough out to a circle about 14 inches in diameter; if the dough pulls back strongly, stop rolling, cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let rest 10 minutes before continuing. Transfer dough to a round pizza pan, stone or large greased baking sheet; reshape dough as needed, but you can leave any edges of the dough hanging over the sides of the pan (they will be folded in later). Cover with a towel and refrigerate.

Preheat oven to 475°F and place a rack in the middle of the oven. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisped, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-covered plate to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of grease left in skillet. Return skillet to medium heat and add onion, garlic and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Add squash and cook, tossing gently once or twice, until any excess moisture evaporates, 2 to 3 minutes.

Scrape onion mixture into middle of dough and spread evenly, leaving a 1-inch border around edges. Sprinkle top with cheese. Brush edge of dough with half the oil and fold it over to make a ½-inch rim. Brush rim with remaining oil. Bake until tart is deeply browned and dough is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with thyme and cool 10 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board and cut into wedges or squares for serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Whole Foods Market

2787. BACON-BRAISED GOOSE in HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE

1-2 strips of bacon
goose breasts

Honey Mustard Sauce:
1 cup honey
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1/2 cup butter (or margarine)
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons curry powder

Combine the ingredients in a small cooking pot and heat over low to medium heat, stirring continuously until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together. The honey mustard sauce will later be poured over the goose prior to baking. Save any leftover sauce in the refrigerator for the next batch of duck or goose. 

Braise the Goose Breasts: Cook one or two strips of bacon in a cast iron frying pan. Remove the strips and place the goose breasts in the bacon grease on medium to high heat, braising both sides of the breast for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. The bacon grease adds a mouth-watering smoky flavor to the goose that really makes the meat "pop". For a healthy heart version of the recipe use olive oil in lieu of bacon grease.

Place the browned breasts into the bottom of a baking dish and cover halfway with the honey sauce. Cook covered at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until goose is medium rare to medium. Slice the breast across the grain and drizzle with honey mustard sauce from the bottom of the cooking dish. This goes great with wild rice and steamed carrots, beans, or broccoli.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rob Endsley, The Outdoor Line, EXPERT DRIVEN Hunting & Fishing Talk Radio, 710 AM ESPN Seattle, 11713 60th Street NE, Lake Stevens, Washington 98258, December 6, 2009

2786. BACON FAT GINGERSNAPS

makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies 


3/4 cup bacon drippings (from 1 1/2 to 2 pounds bacon), at room temperature 
1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for the work surface 
1/4 cup molasses (not blackstrap) or cane syrup 
1 large egg 
2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 
2 teaspoons baking soda 
2 teaspoons ground ginger 
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse just until a smooth, stiff dough forms. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least a few hours and up to 2 days. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place about 1/4 cup sugar in a shallow bowl. Break off 1-tablespoon chunks of cookie dough and roll them into balls. Drop them in the sugar, roll to coat, and place them on the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If desired, gently flatten the dough. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until dark brown. Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


bacon recipe courtesy of: CookFight: 2 Cooks, 12 Challenges, 125 Recipes, an Epic Battle for Kitchen Dominance, by Julia Moskin and Kim Severson; Ecco, 2012 | Leite's Culinaria, November 30, 2012

2785. BACON KEBOBS with CITRUS-GINGER GLAZE

serves six


1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger root
2-3 cups of large diced pineapple
3 green or red bell peppers, large diced
1 red onion, large diced
12 strips of applewood smoked bacon
3 in. heavy-duty tooth picks

Heat orange juice in small saucepan with ginger and reduce juice by 1/3. Let sauce cool, and pour sauce over pieces of diced pineapple and peppers. In a sauté pan, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil, sauté peppers, onion and pineapple over medium high heat until half cooked (about 1-2 minutes). Cool all ingredients and set aside. Cook bacon in the oven until bacon is cooked but not crisp. (This will make the bacon easier to place on the kebob). Assemble ingredients on a tooth pick starting with the end of a bacon strip, pineapple, pepper, fold bacon back onto tooth pick, add onion, pepper, fold bacon again so the end of the bacon strip is on the tooth pick. Chill until ready to serve. To serve, heat kebobs on a greased cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or heat on a grill until meat crisps and vegetables and pineapple are hot-serve. 


bacon recipe courtesy of: Patrick Cudahy, One Sweet Apple-Wood Lane, Cudahy, Wisconsin 53110

2784. MUSSELS with BACON and RAPINI

yields four portions


8 oz. thick-cut bacon, diced
4 thick slices crusty bread 
1 teaspoon pepper 
1 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon steak spice 
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 head rapini 
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium-size Spanish onion, halved and sliced 
2 cups whole red cherry tomatoes 
3/4 cup white wine
2 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded 
3/4 cup water 
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill 
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives 
2 tablespoons butter
lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Add the cubed up bread to the skillet to soak up all the excess bacon fat, add pepper and let it go on medium to low heat until bread crisps up. Remove from pan and set aside.

For the croutons: Chop up the bread into thick cubes. Toss with the seasonings and oil. Bake until golden and crispy.

For the mussels: Bring a large pot of water to boil for 30 seconds. Add the whole rapini and blanch for 45 seconds. Remove and plunge into a bowl of ice water. Drain and roughly chop. Set aside.

In another pan, add and the olive oil and onions and cook for 2 minutes, then add the cherry tomatoes and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add the wine, cover, and cook for 2 minutes then add mussels and water and cook until they begin to open, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the rapini to the pan of muscles and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, discard unopened mussels, add bacon, dill, chives, butter, lemon juice, to taste, salt, and pepper and serve with croutons on top.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chuck Hughes, "The Locksmiths," Chuck's Day Off, Cooking Channel TV

2783. APPLEWOOD-SMOKED BACON BEIGNETS with BLACK WASABI and AGAVE NECTAR

Beignets 
2 quarts canola oil
¼ lb butter, medium diced
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
¼ lb bacon, chopped, cooked crispy
1 tablespoon aonori (dried powder Japanese seaweed)
2 tablespoons chives 

Black Wasabi
1 cup Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons wasabi paste
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 packages squid ink
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper, black ground
Agave nectar (to drizzle on the beignets, to taste) 

Black Wasabi: Thoroughly mix all the ingredients for the black wasabi and place in refrigerator to chill. 

Beignets: Place the canola oil in a stockpot and preheat to 350 degrees F. In a medium sized pot bring the butter, water and milk to a simmer. Sauté bacon until crispy. Place on paper towels to drain. Add the flour to the milk mixture and mix thoroughly by hand for 5 minutes or until the dough falls from the sides of the pot. Remove and place dough in a mixer immediately. Turn the mixer on medium and gradually add one egg at a time. Mix thoroughly. Add the cooked bacon, aonori and chives. Mix thoroughly. Place teaspoon-size scoops of dough immediately into the fryer. Constantly stir the beignets while they are frying to achieve even browning (about 5-7 minutes). Remove fried beignets from the fryer and top them with the black wasabi sauce and agave nectar. Serve immediately. 


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef Mike Potowski, Benjy's (on Washington), 5922 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007 | Cleverly Stone, Talk 650-CBS Radio Houston & Fox 26 Morning News | HoustonTexasFood.com, April 23, 2010

2782. BACON and TOMATO HASH

serves one


4 rashers streaky bacon
2 teaspoons garlic-infused oil
1 tomato, diced
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
scattering of chopped parsley (about 2 tablespoons)
ground black pepper

Cut each rasher into three or four pieces, and fry in the garlic oil until crispy (the bacon will also give up flavorsome fat of its own). Remove the bacon bits to a piece of kitchen towel.

Tip the chopped tomato, with all its seeded, gluey interior, into the hot oily pan, which will cause a great spitting and sizzling, and stir for a couple of minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir again, then put the bacon back into the pan, mixing it into the tomato before transferring to a plate.

Scatter with some parsley and lots of freshly ground pepper, and serve with bread to dip in the oily juices.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Feast: Food That Celebrates Life, by Nigella Lawson. London: Chatto & Windus, 2004; p. 416

2781. BACON-TOPPED PETITE TURKEY MEATLOAF with BARBECUE SAUCE

makes five servings


3/4 cup grated zucchini, all moisture squeezed dry with paper towel
2 tablespoons onion, minced
2 tablespoons diced red pepper
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1 large egg
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1.3 lb raw 93% lean ground turkey
5 slices center cut bacon, cut in half
2 1/2 tablespoons barbecue sauce 

Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly spray a petite loaf pan with oil (if you don't have a petite loaf pan you could use a muffin tin). In a large bowl, mix the zucchini, onion, red pepper, breadcrumbs, BBQ sauce, egg, paprika and salt. Add the turkey and combine until mixed through. Create 5 equal loafs and place them into the loaf pan. Place the 2 bacon halves over each loaf and top each with 1/2 tbsp additional BBQ sauce. Bake about 25 minutes or until cooked through.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Gina Homolka, Skinnytaste, July 11, 2012

2780. BACON, POTATO, ROSEMARY and FONTINA PIZZA

yields 1 (13 by 18-inch) pizza 


1 recipe fresh pizza dough (recipe below)
3 to 4 baby Yukon gold fingerling potatoes, finely sliced
1/2 small onion, finely sliced
6 slices applewood smoked bacon, finely chopped
2 tablespoons rosemary leaves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to grease pan
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded fontina cheese
1 cup baby arugula, optional
1/2 lemon, juiced

Fresh Pizza Dough:
2 packages active dry yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
2 cups warm water (100 to 110 degrees F.)
2 tablespoons kosher salt
6 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for bowl

In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes. If you're using a stand mixer, combine the salt and flour to the bowl and pulse a few times to mix. Add the yeast mixture, at the lowest speed, until the flour incorporates. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and mix until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and pulse a few more times. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic. If you're making the dough by hand, add the yeast mixture to a large bowl and stir in the salt and the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then begin stirring in the flour. When the mixture becomes too stiff to stir with a spoon, knead in the rest of the flour by hand, adding just enough so that the dough is soft but not too sticky. As you work, squeeze a small amount of dough together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Pizza: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put a jelly roll pan or half sheet pan in the oven. In a large mixing bowl, combine the fingerling potatoes, onion, bacon, and rosemary leaves. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss together to coat with olive oil. Take the preheated jelly roll pan out of the oven and drizzle some olive oil over entire surface. Cut the dough into 2 pieces and reserve 1 piece for another use. Stretch the pizza dough out so it is just bigger than the pan, then lay it inside the pan so the dough comes up the sides to form a crust on the rim. Pour the potato mixture onto the pizza dough, then sprinkle with shredded fontina. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy and golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with arugula and drizzle the lemon juice over the top. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Tyler Florence, "Pizza," Tyler's Ultimate, Food Network

2779. BAKED FLOUNDER ROLLS with TOMATO, BELL PEPPER, and BACON

serves six


6 slices of lean bacon, chopped fine
1/4 cup finely chopped shallot
2/3 cup minced green bell pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
a 28-ounce can tomatoes including the juice, chopped
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried basil
six 1/2-pound flounder fillets, halved lengthwise and seasoned with salt and pepper
1/2 cup fine fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil

In a skillet cook the bacon over moderate heat until it is crisp, transfer it to paper towels to drain, and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. In the fat remaining in the skillet cook the shallot and the bell pepper over moderately low heat, stirring, for 3 minutes, add the wine, and boil the mixture, scraping up the brown bits, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes with the juice, the basil, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until it is thickened.

On a work surface arrange the flounder fillet halves, skinned sides up, beginning with the narrow end roll up each fillet half jelly-roll fashion, and secure each roll with a wooden pick. 

In an oiled flameproof baking pan, 15 by 10 by 2 inches, arrange the fish rolls, seam sides down and not touching each other, pour the sauce evenly over them, and bake the mixture in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 10 minutes. In a bowl stir together the bread crumbs, the parsley, the bacon, and salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle the topping over the rolls. Drizzle the fish rolls with the oil and bake the mixture for 10 minutes, or until the fish just flakes. (For a crisper topping, the cooked mixture may be broiled under a preheated broiler about 4 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes.) Transfer the fish rolls to a heated platter and spoon the sauce and topping over them.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Gourmet, May 1992

2778. GRILLED FLANK STEAK with BACON BALSAMIC GLAZE

yields four servings 


Cooking spray
2 tablespoons triple peppercorn
1 flank steak, about 1 1/4 pounds
Salt
2 teaspoons garlic flakes
4 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Heat a stove-top grill pan or griddle with cooking spray over medium-high heat to preheat. Place peppercorns in a plastic bag and smash with the flat side of a meat mallet, or bottom of a heavy skillet, until finely crushed. Season both sides of flank steak with crushed peppercorns, salt and garlic flakes.

Place steak on hot pan and cook 5 minutes per side for medium doneness. Remove from heat and let steak rest 10 minutes. Slice meat crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices.

While the steak is cooking, Place diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp. Add vinegar and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until liquid reduces. In a small bowl, add broth and cornstarch, whisking until cornstarch is completely dissolved, and add to skillet. Simmer 2 minutes bringing to a full boil, until sauce thickens. Remove from heat, spoon sauce over steak slices and top with parsley.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Robin Miller, "Glaze, Bake, Wrap and Dunk," Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller, Food Network, 2007

2777. BLACKBERRY APPLE COBBLER with BACON-SAGE CRUST

yields twelve servings


2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries, stems removed
8 apples peeled, cored, cut into wedges
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
freshly grated zest of 1/2 lemon
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
scant 1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 egg 
1/3 cup milk
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled into 1/2″ pieces
2 fresh sage leaves, chopped very finely, or 1/4 teaspoon ground dried sage

Preheat oven to 425. Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and set aside. Combine berries, apples, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest in the prepared pan. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and 1 tablespoon of the sugar.  Work in the butter with a pastry blender or your fingertips. Lightly beat the egg and milk together, and slowly but firmly (you don’t want too many strokes) stir into the flour mixture. Stir in the chopped bacon and sage. Knead lightly, sprinkling on a bit more flour as necessary to form a smooth dough. Break off portions of the dough and place them on top of the fruit in the pan, pressing and spreading the dough as you go. Cover the entire surface. Sprinkle remaining sugar over the dough and bake until well browned, 35-45 minutes. Serve immediately, with ice cream of course.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Cheryl Herrick, CrankyCakes, September 12, 2009 | adapted from The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins

2776. STRIP STEAK with BACON and MUSHROOM SHERRY SAUCE

2 boneless strip steaks, about 10-12 oz.
4 slices bacon, cut in 1″ pieces
1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
1/8 cup steak sauce
1/8 cup dry sherry
1 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (save some for garnish)
salt
freshly ground pepper

Cook the bacon in a large fry pan on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and place on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan. Add mushrooms to bacon drippings and cook until tender (about 5 minutes) stirring occasionally. Add the bacon, steak sauce, sherry, garlic powder and sugar to the pan and mix well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 5 minutes. Add  a few pieces of the fresh rosemary. Cover to keep warm. Salt and pepper both sides of steak. Sear steaks on both sides and then cook to desired doneness (about 10-12 minutes for medium rare). Plate the steaks on warmed plates and top with the sauce, garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kathleen, "Deja Vu" Cook, July 12, 2012

2775. APPLE BACON FRITTERS with MAPLE BOURBON GLAZE

yields one dozen fritters


4 ounces water, heated to 110F
1/4 ounce dry active yeast
1 cup diced tart apple

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped

3/4 ounce vegetable shortening

1 ounce sugar

1/8 ounce salt

1/8 teaspoon mace or nutmeg

1/2 ounce non-fat dry milk

1 egg

8 1/2 ounces bread flour

Vegetable oil for frying

Maple Bourbon Glaze (enough to glaze 12 fritters or doughnuts)
1/4 teaspoon gelatin
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons bourbon

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 pound powdered sugar

In the bowl of a mixer combine the yeast and the water. Allow to sit for ten minutes.

While the yeast activates mix the apples, bacon, two tablespoons of sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.

In the same bowl as the yeast mixture mix the shortening, one ounce of sugar, salt, mace or nutmeg, dry milk, egg, and bread flour. Mix with the dough hook on low speed for three minutes. Check the hydration of the dough by touching it; if it is sticky but does not stick it is ready. Mix on medium speed for six minutes.

Add the apples mixture to the bowl and mix on low speed for three minutes, until the apples and bacon are well combined.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to ferment for two hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.

Once the dough has fermented turn out onto a well floured board and with the palm of your hand press out the dough into a large rectangle. Cut the dough into the desired shapes, I find squares work well for me, and cover with plastic for thirty minutes.

While the fritters proof heat at least three inches of oil in a deep pot, allowing for two inches of space at the top of the pan to prevent overflow, to 375 F.

Once proofed, fry the fritters in the hot oil for one minute per side. Once fried drain on paper towels while you fry the remaining fritters.

Let the fritters cool slightly while you prepare the glaze.

In a small bowl mix the gelatin with the water.  Allow to bloom for ten minutes.  Once bloomed heat in the microwave for 10 seconds until it is melted.

In a large bowl mix the gelatin with the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth.

Dip the warm fritters into the glaze and turn to coat.  Let the excess drip off before transferring to a rack to dry.

Enjoy warm, or at room temperature.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kelly Jaggers, Evil Shenanigans, September 11, 2009

2774. SQUID with BACON and GARLIC OIL

yields 4 appetizer servings 


8 ounces slab bacon, cut into lardons
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds fresh squid, cleaned and sliced into rings
salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme leaves

Place the bacon in a medium saute pan over medium heat and cook until lightly golden brown and the fat has been rendered. Increase the heat to high and add the garlic, olive oil, and squid, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook the squid for 2 to 3 minutes or until just cooked through. Stir in the herbs and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Bobby Flay, "Tapas," Boy Meets Grill, Food Network