3318. BACON-APRICOT CORNBREAD with MAPLE ICE CREAM

yields one 8 x 8-inch cornbread, about 9 servings


Maple Ice Cream:
2 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 vanilla bean, split
5 egg yolks

Cornbread:
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup diced bacon
1 1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup whole milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup dried apricots, diced
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon molasses
2 tablespoons maple syrup, optional

To make the maple ice cream, combine the cream, syrup, sugar, and vanilla bean in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks until light and fluffy. Remove the vanilla bean from the cream mixture. By droplets at first, whisk the hot mixture into the yolks to temper them. Pour this back into the saucepan, set over medium-low heat and continue stirring until the mixture begins to thicken and give off steam; do not let it come to a boil. Remove from the heat and transfer to a clean bowl. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Churn this mixture in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions.

To make the cornbread, preheat the oven to 325˚F. Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with one tablespoon of the butter. Coat with 2 tablespoons of flour and set aside.

Heat remaining tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until the bacon is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

Combine the remaining 1 cup of flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and add buttermilk, milk, and eggs. Stir until just combined.

Combine apricots, honey, molasses, and cooked bacon with about a tablespoon of the bacon drippings and stir to combine. Pour cornbread mixture into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Allow to cool slightly. Serve with a scoop maple ice cream.

If desired, you can combine any remaining bacon drippings with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and drizzle over the top of the ice cream. You can also top with some additional cooked bacon bits.


bacon recipe source: Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon, 738 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214; James Beard Foundation, 167 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011

3230. BACON-WRAPPED DRIED APRICOTS

regular or thick-cut bacon, preferably meaty
dried apricots, preferably soft and fresh
hoisin sauce

Preheat oven to 400F. For easy cleanup and to save your pan (that’s the voice of experience talkin’), line a baking dish with foil or parchment; make sure it has sides so the bacon grease won’t run off.
With kitchen shears (much easier than a knife), cut bacon in thirds or fourths. Fold an apricot in half and roll bacon piece around it. Secure with a toothpick, inserting it where the bacon edges cross. (If making ahead, stop here and refrigerate for up to several hours.)

Arrange pieces in the baking dish, seam-side down. Brush the topsides with hoisin, about a half teaspoon per bacon bite.

Bake for 20 minutes for regular bacon or about 25 minutes for thick-cut bacon until the bacon is cooked through and the apricots are soft and creamy. If needed for appearance, brush lightly again with hoisin.

Arrange on a platter and let cool briefly to serve. Best warm or at room temperature but surprisingly good stone-cold and almost candy-like after time in the refrigerator.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Alanna Kellogg, Kitchen Parade, March 2013

3049. BACON-WRAPPED PORK TENDERLOIN with APRICOT COMPOTE and JICAMA SALAD

serves four


For the salad:
2 cups julienne of jicama
2 oranges, segmented, including juice, all pith and membrane removed
1 apricot, pitted and sliced thin
½ red bell pepper, julienne
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 jalapeño or other chile pepper, deseeded and chopped fine, optional
salt and pepper to taste

For the pork:
1 pork tenderloin, silver skin removed

Marinade:
1-inch piece of ginger, cut into strips, smashed with side of knife to release juices
1 clove garlic, peeled
⅛ orange, juice and rind (smash with side of knife to release oils then cut into strips)
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
⅛ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 strips thick-cut bacon (we used pecan-wood smoked bacon)
salt and fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon oil for cooking, as needed

For the apricot compote:
3 medium apricots (or other seasonal stone fruit), pitted and sliced thin
1 shallot, peeled and sliced thin
1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely diced
2 tablespoons julienne of orange peel (as much pith removed as possible)
1 teaspoon coconut oil (or other cooking oil)
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ cup Pinot Noir (or other light bodied red wine)
salt and pepper, to taste

For the salad: Combine all ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl. To segment the oranges, cut off each end; rest on one cut end. Remove the skin with a sharp knife by cutting along the line where the flesh meets the pith, following the natural curve of the fruit, working in small strips around the orange from top to bottom. Remove each segment individually from the membrane using a paring knife – hold over a bowl to collect any juice. Squeeze the membrane to extract any remaining juice. Season to taste. Chill for approximately 15-30 minutes (up to 6 hours) for flavors to meld.

 

For the pork: Blend all marinade ingredients, coat the pork tenderloin and rest at room temperature for 30-40 minutes, or in refrigerator for up to 2 hours; remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking. Remove the pork from the marinade. Season with salt and pepper then wrap with bacon (as much or as little as you like), secure bacon ends with toothpicks, if desired. Preheat oven to 375. Heat a heavy sauté pan until very hot. Add a bit of cooking oil (not necessary if using non-stick or well-seasoned pan). Sear the pork on all sides until caramelized. Transfer the pork to a baking sheet. Save the fat, juices, and bits in the pan for use in making the compote. If the fat is pooling, drain some off (ideally, there is very little excess fat but brown – not burned – bits in the pan). Finish in oven for approximately 12-18 minutes or until the meat reaches 145 degrees. Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. In the meantime, make the compote.

 

For the compote: If possible, use the same pan as you used to cook the pork, with the drippings – heat pan over medium heat. Add the coconut oil. Sauté the shallot and ginger until the shallot starts to become tender; add the orange peel and the dry spices. Sauté until lightly caramelized. Add the apricots. Cook over medium-high heat until the fruit starts to soften and lightly caramelize. Add the wine and use it to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer on low-medium heat until it reaches a desirable consistency. Season to taste. You can stir in any additional pan drippings from the pork for added flavor. This compote can be made vegetarian/vegan by using a fresh pan and not adding any renderings. It can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

 

To serve: To plate the dish, place a 1/2 cup portion of jicama salad on the plate. Arrange 2-3 slices of pork tenderloin against it and top with the warm apricot compote. Garnish with chopped cilantro, parsley or chives. 

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Annette Tomei, Eat Something Sexy, June 14, 2013

2907. BACON-WRAPPED APRICOTS with CRANBERRY GLAZE

makes 24 appetizers

2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water
3/4 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 slices maple-cured bacon, halved crosswise
24 dried apricots
1 1/2 cups cranberry juice

Boil cranberry juice in medium saucepan over high heat until reduced to 1 cup. Whisk in cornstarch, brown sugar, mustard and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute until thickened. Cool to room temperature. Reserve ½ cup of the glaze.

Meanwhile, line rimmed baking sheet with foil; set wire rack over foil and spray with cooking spray. Wrap bacon halves around apricots and secure with wooden pick. Brush with glaze and place on wire rack.

Broil 3 to 7 minutes, or until bacon in browned, turning once. Serve warm with reserved glaze.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Ocean Spray, One Ocean Spray Drive, Lakeville-Middleboro, MA 02349

2581. FLAGEOLETS with AUTUMN GREENS and FRESH BACON

serves six


1/4 pound fresh bacon
2 cups kosher salt mixed with 2 cups sugar
2 cups dried flageolet beans, soaked overnight and drained
1 carrot, halved
1 onion, quartered
1 whole head garlic, halved widthwise
1/4 cup dried apricots, roughly chopped
2 bay leaves
1 dried ancho chile
About 2 tablespoons fino sherry vinegar
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
A few leaves Tuscan kale
A few leaves black kale
A few leaves mustard greens
Good olive oil for drizzling

Pack the fresh bacon in the salt and sugar mixture, cover, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Rinse and pat dry, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes.

Combine the bacon, beans, carrot, onion, garlic, apricots, bay leaves, and chile in a pressure cooker and add cold water to come an inch above the beans. Fit the pressure cooker with the lid and raise the temperature to high until it starts to whistle. Reduce to the lowest setting and cook until the beans are creamy and cooked through, roughly 25 minutes. Remove the lid and adjust the seasoning with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Alternately, bring the ingredients to a boil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, covered, until the beans are thoroughly cooked through and creamy, roughly 1 3/4 hours. 

Remove the large aromatic vegetables, garlic, chile, and bay leaves from the pot and discard. They've done their flavoring job. Coarsely chop the greens or tear with your hands, then fold them into the beans. Simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the greens are tender.

Serve with warm crusty bread and a healthy dose of olive oil.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Seamus Mullen's Hero Food: How Cooking with Delicious Things Can Make Us Feel Better by Seamus Mullen

2219. WILD RICE STUFFING with CRANBERRIES, BACON and PECANS

serves eight


1 1/4 cup wild rice, uncooked
4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup onion, chopped
1 14-oz can chicken broth
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
2 cups fennel or celery, chopped
3/4 cup dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted

Rinse wild rice in cold water. Drain well; set aside. In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in saucepan. Drain bacon; set aside. Add onion to saucepan; cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Add wild rice; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, water, sherry and thyme. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in fennel and dried cranberries. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer rice mixture to a 2-quart casserole. Cover and bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring once. Stir in pecans and bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The National Pork Board/Pork: Be Inspired

2148. BACON-WRAPPED APRICOTS with SAGE

makes twenty-four


24 small fresh sage leaves
24 large dried apricots
8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thirds
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
toothpicks, for serving

Heat oven to 375º F. Place a sage leaf on each apricot, wrap with a piece of bacon, and place seam-side down on a baking sheet. Bake until the bacon is beginning to crisp, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Remove from oven and brush with the maple syrup. Serve with toothpicks.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kate Merker and Sara Quessenberry, Real Simple, December 2009

984. SHIITAKE, APRICOT and BACON STUFFING

serves 12


1/2 pound bacon
3 cups chopped leeks (from 4 medium leeks)
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps cut in thin slices
1 cup dried apricots, cut in thin strips
1 pound hearty French bread, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
2 1/2 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten

Cook bacon in a large skillet. Remove, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, pat dry and chop. Add leeks, celery, salt, black pepper, thyme and cumin to skillet. Sauté 10 minutes. Add shitakes; cook 5 minutes or until mushrooms are softened. Remove from heat; stir in apricots and bread. (Stuffing can be made one day ahead up to this point.) Preheat oven to 350F. Toss bread mixture with reserved bacon, broth, butter and eggs; transfer to a 13-by-9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 minutes longer or until heated through and lightly crisped on top.


courtesy of: Marge Perry, "Relish the Holidays," Relish, November 2006

894. BABY CHICKENS with APRICOT, BACON and CASHEW STUFFING

serves 4


2 baby chickens seasoned salt
150ml couscous water to cover cous cous
30 grams butter
1 onion, diced
6 rashers bacon, diced
50 grams cashew nuts, roughly chopped
30ml finely chopped sage, or 10ml dried
2 cloves garlic, crushed
50 grams dried apricots, roughly chopped
30ml chopped parsley
10ml grated lemon rind

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Rinse and pat the baby chickens dry. Season inside and out. Place the cous cous in a bowl and just cover with water. Do not steam. Melt the butter in a pot, then add the onion and bacon and cook until soft. Add the nuts, sage, garlic, apricots and parsley. Cook for a further two minutes. Mix in the cous cous and lemon rind. Stuff the baby chickens with this mixture and tie the legs together with string. Place in a smallish ovenproof dish and pour over the olive oil and lemon juice mixture. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes until golden. Serve with grilled vegetables.


courtesy of: Cheryl Graham and Kelly Meiring, Pick ‘n Pay School of Cooking, Pick 'n Pay Office Park, 2 Allum Road, Kensington. Telephone (011) 856 7000

660. APRICOT, SPINACH and BACON SALAD

makes 4 servings


1 can black beans,(15 oz), rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
2 tablespoons sliced green onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup apricot nectar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon grated gingerroot
4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a large bowl, combine beans, apricots, bell pepper, green onion, cilantro and garlic. In a jar with tight-fitting lid, combine apricot nectar, olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce and gingerroot. Cover and shake well. Pour over bean mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate two to 24 hours. To serve: toss bean mixture with spinach and bacon.


courtesy of: Hormel Foods

559. CHEESY BACON APRICOT SPREAD

2 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup apricot preserves

With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese (room temperature) until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients until thoroughly combined. Serve with crackers or cut up vegetables.


courtesy of: Smuckers, The J.M. Smucker Co., 1 Strawberry Lane, Orrville, Ohio 44667-0280, 1-888-550-9555

284. OSTRICH, BACON and APRICOT KEBABS

Marinade:
1 bottle red wine
300 ml vinegar
400 grams chutney
750 grams onion, sliced and sautéed
1 tablespoon ginger
5 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspooon red pepper
1-1/2 tablespoon curry powder
2 tablespoons turmeric
4 lemon leaves or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup oil
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns

Kebabs:
2-1/2 kg tender ostrich meat, cut into cubes
500 grams bacon, cut into cubes
Salt
750 grams dried apricots
1 cup sugar
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons grated lemon rind

Mix ingredients and place in non metallic bowl. Salt meat and bacon lightly and marinate for 3 days, stirring occasionally.

Marinate dried apricots in a mixture of 1 cup of sugar, 2 cups of warm water and 2 Tbsp. grated lemon rind for about 12 hours. Skewer, alternating with meat, bacon and apricots. BBQ kebabs over low heat and baste with remaining marinade.


courtesy of: Touch of Africa, Pieter & Dawn Willemse, Highway 10 / PO Box 851, Dauphin, MB R7N 2T3, 204-638-0085

192. CHICKEN LIVER KABOBS with DRIED FRUIT, BACON, and BAY LEAVES

makes 6 servings


¾ cup dried pitted prunes
¾ cup dried apricots
18 whole bay leaves
12 oz. bacon
1 ½ lb. chicken livers, trimmed and halved
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
2 tablespoons cream sherry
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ cup olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place the prunes and apricots in a small saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Place the bay leaves in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak 5 minutes to soften; drain and set aside.

Prepare the fireplace or grill for cooking.

Cut the bacon slices into lengths just long enough to wrap around each prune and apricot. Wrap all the prune and apricots in bacon. Have 6 metal skewers. Thread one skewer first with a bacon-wrapped apricot, then a chicken liver half, then a bacon-wrapped prune, and finally a bay leaf. Repeat the process for 3 sets on each skewer.

In a small bowl whisk together the mustard, anchovy paste, sherry, and vinegar until smooth. Gradually whisk in the oil, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Brush the kabobs lightly with some of the vinaigrette.

Grill the kabobs about 4 inches above the hot coals, basting with the vinaigrette, until the bacon is crisp, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Serve at once (accompanied by rice pilaf).


courtesy of: Cold Weather Cooking, by Sarah Leah Chase. New York: Workman Publishing, 1990, pp. 293-294

155. BACON-WRAPPED, APRICOT-STUFFED PORK SAUSAGES

serves 3 to 4


8 large pork sausages
dried apricots
streaky bacon
French Mustard
cocktail sticks

Preparation: Slice the pork sausages down the middle about ¾ of the way down and open up. Spread French mustard into the sausage openings. Stuff the dried apricots into the sausages and squeeze back together. Wrap the sausages with the streaky bacon and fix with cocktail sticks.

Cooking: EITHER - Place on BBQ and cook until ready - OR - Place under a medium hot grill (broiler) and cook until ready - OR - Heat the oven to 180°C (360°F) or 160°C (320°F) for a fan assisted oven. Place in a dish in the pre-heated oven and roast for approx. 30 minutes until ready.


NOTE: Great BBQ starter, just remember that the cocktail sticks are in the sausages as the ends will burn away on the BBQ.


courtesy of: The Pig Site