3821. ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SOUP with AGED CHEDDAR and BACON

Serves: 4-6


1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper
5 strips center cut bacon
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
3 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
1 cup aged, sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup milk or cream
salt and pepper to taste

Heat your oven to 400º F. Toss the cauliflower florets with the 2 Tbsp. olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Spread the florets out on a cookie sheet and roast, about 20 minutes, until they start to brown and have softened.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet on the stove top. Remove the bacon when crisp, and drain on some paper towels. Keep the remaining bacon grease in the skillet and add the diced onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion softens.

Add the garlic and thyme to the onions, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Scrape the onion/garlic mixture into a large saucepan.

When the cauliflower is done, place the florets in the saucepan with the onions and garlic. Add the broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat. Let the soup simmer for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare your toasts. Slice up some crusty bread, lay it on a cookie sheet and brush each slice with some olive oil. Sprinkle with salt.

After 20 minutes, puree the soup using an immersion blender (or you can use a regular blender, just do it in batches and return it to the pot).

Stir in the cheese, stirring until melted completely.

Remove the soup from the heat and stir in the milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Toast the bread slices in the oven for just a couple of minutes, until they start to brown a bit.

Serve the soup with the toast slices and sprinkle each bowl of soup with some of the crisped up bacon.


bacon recipe source: Christine Carlisle, Chew Nibble Nosh (@chewnibblenosh), October 17, 2012

3815. FOUR-LAYER BEEF and BACON CASSEROLE

yield: 8 servings


Topping

1/2 pound bacon

Sweet Potato Mash

3-4 medium sweet potatoes (1 1/4 lb)

1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk

1/2 tsp dried sage

1/4 tsp coarse sea salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Cauliflower Mash

1 head cauliflower (1.5 lb), cut into florets

1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk

1/2 tsp coarse sea salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

Ground Beef

2 pounds ground beef

1 clove garlic, minced

1 medium yellow onion, diced

8 ounces button mushrooms, diced

1 tsp coarse sea salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Topping: Preheat oven to 375 F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lay the bacon out on the sheet in one layer. Bake 12-15 minutes (22 minutes for crispy bacon). Let cool, chop, and then set aside.

Sweet Potato Mash: Heat oven to 400 F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Clean and poke the sweet potatoes with a fork. Bake at 400 F for 35-40 minutes, or until they're soft and easily cut by a knife. Let them cool completely. Peel the potatoes and add the insides to a food processor. Add the coconut milk, sage, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth then set aside.

Cauliflower Mash: Steam the florets covered over simmering water for approximately 10 minutes, or until they're fork-tender. Place them in a food processor and add the coconut milk, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth then set aside.

Ground Beef: In a large pan, cook the ground beef until slightly browned. Add the garlic, onion, mushrooms, salt, and pepper, and stir. Once the meat is cooked through, remove from heat.

Assembly: Turn oven to 350 F. Evenly spread the cauliflower mash over the meat. Spread the remaining half of the meat over the cauliflower in an even layer. Lastly, spread the sweet potato mash over the meat. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes. Turn on broiler and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Sprinkle the chopped bacon on top and then let it cool and thicken for at least 10 minutes.

bacon recipe source: Cassy Joy Garcia, Fed & Fit (@fedandfit), June 10, 2014

3769. BOMBAY BACON CURRY

Serves 4

200 g (7 oz) sweet cured unsmoked back bacon rashers
15 ml (1 tbsp) oil
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
30 ml (2 tbsp) medium curry powder
30 ml (2 tbsp) ground cumin
1 courgette, thickly sliced
¼ (about 200 g) cauliflower, cut into small florets
2 potatoes, skin on and cut into small cubes
100 ml water
2 x (approx) 400 g can chopped tomatoes
30 ml (2 tbsp) fresh coriander, roughly chopped
2 large handfuls baby spinach

Place oil in large saucepan and heat, add the bacon, onion and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the curry powder and cumin, combine well together. Then add the courgette, cauliflower, potatoes and water. Stir well.

Next, add the tomatoes and bring to the boil, cover with lid and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are soft.

Just before serving, stir through the coriander and spinach and serve with warmed chapattis and a side order of chopped fresh tomato, red onion and coriander mixed together and drizzled with a little flavoured oil.

bacon recipe source: Paula Jones, Reveal Magazine (@RevealMag), March 22, 2013

3448. CAULIFLOWER COCONUT SOUP with CRISP BACON

yields four servings 


1 large cauliflower 
1 tablespoon coconut oil 
1 medium onion, diced 
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 
2 cups beef broth 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 
1/2 cup coconut milk 
8 slices of crispy bacon, crumbled

Cut cauliflower roughly into smaller pieces and set aside. Set a large pot over medium-high heat and add the coconut oil. Fry the onions, carrots and garlic for about 5 minutes or until they are softened. Add the cauliflower and fry until it becomes a little bit browned.

Add broth and 1 cup water, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer (covered) until the vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes.

Puree the vegetables with a handheld blender in the pot. It is possible to use a regular blender for this step, but be careful that the hot liquid doesn’t spatter out.

Add salt, pepper and coconut milk then stir to combine. Top with crispy fried bacon bits and serve.


bacon recipe source: Simone Van Den Berg, Simone's Kitchen; on Relish.com

3350. BACON and SMOKED GOUDA CAULIFLOWER MASH

makes approximately 3 cups (serving size: 1 cup)


4 cups cauliflower florets
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
4 slices of cooked bacon
1/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Place the cauliflower, heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a microwave safe dish. Microwave on high for 18 – 20 minutes, or until soft. Transfer the cauliflower and liquid to a magic bullet or food processor. Add the bacon and Smoked Gouda. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper as desired.


bacon recipe source: Mellissa Sevigny, I Breathe... I'm Hungry..., March 27, 2014

3266. CHICKEN and BACON LO MEIN

1/2 pound sliced bacon, diced
2 boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 cup broccoli florets, cut into pieces
1 cup cauliflower, cut into pieces
1 medium carrot, cut into thin 2-inch strips
1 small onion, cut into wedges
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 pound thin spaghetti, cooked and drained

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove to paper towels to drain. Discard drippings. In the same skillet, stir-fry chicken in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink, about 2 minutes.
Remove chicken and pan juices.

In the skillet, saute broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, onion, garlic and ginger in remaining oil for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook and stir 2 minutes longer.

Dissolve bouillon in boiling water; stir into vegetables. Stir in soy sauce and chicken with pan juices.

Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; add to skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in bacon and spaghetti. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures, March 2009

3242. CHEESE TORTELLINI with BACON, ROASTED CAULIFLOWER and FILBERTS

yields four servings


1 small head (3 cups) cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
⅓ cup filberts, chopped
2 small shallots, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 package (350 grams) fresh cheese-filled tortellini
2 tablespoons finely sliced fresh chives, for garnish

Preheat oven to 425°F and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cauliflower, olive oil and bacon. Season with salt and pepper and mix. Spread mixture out in a large roasting pan and roast, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is golden and bacon is crisp, about 15 to 18 min. Stir in nuts, shallots and thyme. Return pan to oven and roast 3 to 5 min. longer. Cook tortellini according to package directions, drain well and toss gently with the roasted cauliflower mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary, garnish with chives and serve.


bacon recipe source: PKMom (member), Key Ingredient, September 21, 2010

2951. DOUBLE BAKED SOUFFLE with CAULIFLOWER and BACON

serves four 


1/3 cup diced bacon 
1 cup cauliflower florets 
1 cup water 
80 grams butter 
½ cup plain flour 
1 cup milk 
¼ cup thickened cream 
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese 
1 teaspoon nutmeg 
4 eggs separated 
1½ cups thickened cream 
extra parmesan cheese

Sauté bacon for 1 minute before adding cauliflower and a cup of water. Simmer until cauliflower tender. Blend mixture to desired texture and set aside. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour, cook, stirring until thickens. Gradually add the milk stirring continuously. Add cauliflower mixture. Stir in thickened cream and parmesan. Allow to cool before adding egg yolks. In a separate bowl whisk egg whites until they form peaks. Use a large metal spoon to fold into cauliflower mixture. This will blend better if one spoon is folded initially followed by the rest of the whites. Prepare 6 dariole moulds by greasing thoroughly with butter. Spoon mixture into each mould up to the top and place in a large baking dish. Fill dish with water to half way up the molds. Bake in oven, which has been preheated to 200 degrees (180 fan-forced), for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Approximately 20 minutes prior to serving, pour ¼ cup of cream over each soufflé, sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven for around 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool before turning out onto individual gratin dishes. Set aside until half an hour before serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Come Dine With Me/Australia; LifeStyle.com, GPO Box 2692, Sydney NSW 1044, Australia

2852. BROCCOLI BACON STIR FRY with MAPLE and TAMARI

1 teaspoon veggie oil
6 oz. bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 3/4 teaspoons cane sugar
1 1/4 teaspoon tamari
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced OR 1 tablespoon minced from jar
12 oz. broccoli, florets and stalks cut into 1/4-inch pieces
12 oz. cauliflower, florets and stalks cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Place a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add the vegetable oil and sliced bacon to the pan and stir-fry until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes.

Sprinkle the sugar over the bacon and toss. Immediately and carefully add 1/4 teaspoon tamari and continue to stir-fry until the bacon is glazed, about 30 seconds. Transfer the bacon to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

Add the garlic and a pinch of salt to the drippings in the pan and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then, add the cauliflower and broccoli pieces and cook until tender and crisp on the edges, perhaps 2 to 3 minutes.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the vegetables and toss to coat. Add 1 more tablespoon tamari and the candied bacon to the pot and stir thoroughly.

When the pan starts to look dry, reduce the heat to a simmer and finish off by stirring in the 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup. Cook for approximately 1 minute and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Allaina, 3 Munching Monkeys, May 7, 2011

2837. BEEF and BACON LO MEIN

yields four servings


1/2 pound sliced bacon, diced
1/2 pound beef flank steak, cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 cup fresh cauliflowerets
1 medium carrot, cut into thin 2-inch strips
1 small onion, cut into wedges
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 pound thin spaghetti, cooked and drained

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove to paper towels to drain. Discard drippings. In the same skillet, stir-fry beef in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Remove beef and pan juices; keep warm. In the same skillet, saute the broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, onion and ginger in remaining oil for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, water chestnuts and garlic; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Dissolve bouillon in boiling water; stir into vegetables. Stir in soy sauce and beef with pan juices. Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in bacon and spaghetti.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Taste of Home, April/May 2002, p. 45

2735. BACON SWEET POTATO POUTINE

serves two


1 sweet potato, cut lengthwise into preference sized french fries
6-8 strips of bacon, cut into 1 inches pieces
1 head of cauliflower, stem removed, cut into small florets
½ cup canned coconut milk
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 shallot, thinly sliced
pinch of dried thyme
pinch of black pepper
pinch of sea salt
1 tablespoon fat of choice
coconut oil spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut your sweet potato in half lengthwise, then slice the sweet potato into ½ inch strips then cut those in half. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and line sweet potatoes on it so they are not overlapping. Lightly spray sweet potatoes with coconut oil then top with a pinch of salt. Remove your stem from your cauliflower and roughly chop cauliflower into small florets. Cheese curd size will do. Place in a glass baking dish and drizzle a tablespoon or so of your fat of choice. Place cauliflower as well as sweet potatoes in the oven to cook for 20-25 minutes. (Your cauliflower may take longer). While the goodies are in the oven, add your diced bacon into a skillet over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break up the bacon and help cook on all sides. Once bacon is done cooking, remove from heat and remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel. Pour excess bacon fat into a jar or can leaving 2 tablespoons behind in your skillet for the gravy. Place skillet back over low heat, add your coconut milk and almond butter then some thyme and black pepper. Let the coconut milk come to a slight boil then use your spoon to mix together and begin to cook down. Once the mixture begins to thicken, add your bacon back to the gravy and remove from heat. Once your sweet potatoes and cauliflower are done cooking, place in a bowl or on a plate, top with gravy, and devour!!


bacon recipe courtesy of: Juli, PaleOMG, March 5, 2012

2731. ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SOUP wtih BACON

serves six


1 head cauliflower, cut into 2-inch pieces
1/3 cup olive oil, divided
8 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
3 cups torn French or Italian bread, crusts removed
1 teaspoon paprika
a pinch of cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

On baking sheet, combine cauliflower and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil; toss to coat evenly and spread in a single layer. Roast in preheated oven until soft and brown around the edges, about 20 minutes. Set aside.

In a large pot, heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.

Pour off all but about 3 tablespoons of the fat in the pot. Add onion and garlic; saute for 2 minutes. Add cauliflower, stock, bread, paprika and cayenne; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in vinegar.

Using an immersion blender, or in a food processor or blender in batches, puree soup until smooth. Return to the pot, if necessary, and season with salt and black pepper.

Ladle into heated bowls and garnish with parsley and bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: 300 Sensational Soups by Carla Snyder and Meredith Deeds, 2008. p. 56

2693. GEMELLI with CAULIFLOWER, BACON and SAGE

serves four


coarse salt and ground pepper
3/4 pound gemelli or other short pasta
5 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium onions, diced small
1 garlic clove, minced
1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, chopped
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add butter, onions, and garlic to skillet and cook until onions are softened, 10 minutes. Add cauliflower, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender, 12 minutes. Stir in bacon and sage and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add cauliflower mixture to pot with pasta. Stir in vinegar and enough pasta water to create a thin sauce that coats pasta. Season with salt and pepper.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Martha Stewart's Everyday Food, March 2012

2611. CAULIFLOWER, CHEDDAR and APPLEWOOD-SMOKED BACON BISQUE

yields ten servings

5 slices applewood-smoked bacon, chopped

1 large yellow onion, chopped

4 ribs celery, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 heads cauliflower, cut up into small flowerets

6 cups low sodium chicken broth

3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1" cubes

1 cup half-and-half, fat free

salt and white pepper, to taste

truffle oil, for garnish

Saute bacon in large, heavy saucepan over medium heat until browned. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Cover and sweat vegetables until soft, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add cauliflower, chicken broth and cheese and stir to loosen up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until cauliflower is tenderuntil , about 30 minutes. Let cool about 20 minutes.

Puree soup in batches in blender, returning to same saucepan. Add half and half and bring soup to a simmer over medium low heat. If soup is too thick, thin with more chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with truffle oil for a garnish.

bacon recipe courtesy of: primethyme (member), BakeSpace.com

2589. CAULIFLOWER SOUP with BACON, PECORINO ROMANO and TRUFFLE OIL

2 ounces applewood-smoked bacon (about 2 1/2 slices), chopped

1 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup chopped celery

2 garlic cloves, chopped

6 cups 1-inch pieces cauliflower (cut from 1 large head)

3 1/2 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth

1 3/4-inch cube Pecorino Romano cheese plus additional cheese shavings for serving

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

white or black truffle oil (for drizzling)

Sauté bacon in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until golden brown and some fat renders. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Cover and cook until vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Add cauliflower, 3 1/2 cups broth, and cheese cube. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 20 minutes. Puree soup in batches in processor. Return to same pan. Add cream and bring soup to simmer. Thin with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly; cover and chill. Rewarm before continuing. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with cheese shavings; drizzle with truffle oil.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Carolynn Angle, Standard Tap, 2nd & Poplar Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19123 | Bon Appetit, January 2007

2588. SMOKED EEL, PIGS' TROTTERS, SMOKED BACON CRISPS, MAPLE and SHERRY VINEGAR

serves four


For the cauliflower crisps
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets, florets thinly sliced on a mandoline
salt, to taste

For the pigs' trotters
drizzle olive oil
1 leek, chopped
1 onion, peeled, chopped
2 carrots, peeled, chopped
2 bay leaves
5 white peppercorns
1 garlic bulb, halved horizontally
4 pigs' trotters
1 litre/1 pint 15fl oz ham stock or water, to cover the trotters

For the maple and sherry vinegar jelly
200ml/7fl oz maple syrup
50ml/2fl oz sherry vinegar
2 gelatine leaves, soaked in cold water until softened
pinch agar-agar powder (available from larger supermarkets and Asian
grocers)

For the smoked eel beignets
200g/7oz smoked eel fillets
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 free-range egg
100g/3½oz breadcrumbs
vegetable oil, for deep frying

For the cauliflower cream
1 large head cauliflower, chopped into florets
250ml/9fl oz milk
200ml/7fl oz whipping cream
pinch agar-agar powder (available from larger supermarkets and Asian
grocers)

For the smoked bacon crisps and powder 
15 smoked bacon rashers

For the maple and sherry reduction
100ml/3½fl oz maple syrup




50ml/2fl oz sherry vinegar
100ml/3½fl oz olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the garnish
micro cress

Preheat the oven to 80C/175F, or to its lowest setting.

For the cauliflower crisps, lay the cauliflower slices onto a baking tray
in a single layer and season with salt. Dry out in the oven for six
hours, or until crisp. Set aside.

For the pigs' trotters, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large deep pan and gently fry the leek, onion, carrots, bay leaves and peppercorns for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic bulb and the pigs' trotters, cover with ham stock or water and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 3-4 hours, or until the trotters are tender. Remove the trotters from the pan and pick the meat from the bone, discarding the skin and fat. Keep the picked meat in a bowl and set aside.

For the maple and sherry vinegar jelly, place the maple syrup and sherry vinegar into a non-reactive pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until reduced by a third. Squeeze out any excess water from the gelatine leaves and stir the gelatine into to the maple and sherry reduction until dissolved. Add the agar-agar powder to the pan and simmer for 2-3 minutes, then take off the heat. Allow to cool, then pour into a container and chill in the fridge for one hour, covered, or until set. When set, finely chop the jelly into small cubes.

For the smoked eel beignets, remove the skin and bones from the smoked eel fillets and shred the meat with a fork. Place the meat into a food processor and blend until smooth. Taste, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. With damp hands, roll the smoked eel mixture into 25g/1oz balls. Dredge the eel balls in the flour, dip into the beaten egg and coat in the breadcrumbs. Place onto a tray and chill in the fridge until needed.

For the cauliflower cream, place the cauliflower florets, milk and cream into a pan and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender. Transfer to a food processor and blend until smooth, then pass through a fine sieve. Return the cauliflower mixture to a clean pan and simmer over a low heat. Add the agar-agar powder and cook for 2-3 minutes, until thickened. Pour 75ml/2½fl oz of the cauliflower cream into a square container and chill in the fridge until set. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.



For the smoked bacon crisps and powder, lay the bacon rashers on a baking tray and cook in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until crisp. Reserve 12 of the crisp bacon rashers and set aside. Allow the
remaining three bacon slices to cool completely, then place into a food processor and blend to a fine powder.

For the maple and sherry reduction, place the maple syrup and sherry vinegar into a non-reactive pan and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, blending with a
stick blender, until smooth and well combined. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

For the eel beignets, heat the vegetable oil in a deep-fat fryer to 160C/325F (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.) Fry the beignets in small batches for 3-4 minutes, or until golden-brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Place three beignets on each of four serving plates, in a triangle formation.

Turn out the set cauliflower cream and cut into 3cm/1.5inch cubes. Lightly dust the set cauliflower cubes with the smoked bacon powder and place three cubes on each plate in between the smoked eel beignets. Place a slice of smoked bacon diagonally across each of the cauliflower cubes. Put a teaspoon of the reserved meat from the pigs' trotters in the centre of the plate and garnish with the micro cress and the cubed maple and sherry vinegar jelly. Spoon a thin line of the maple and sherry reduction around the plate and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: James Sommerin, Great British Menu, BBC-Food

2580. TENDER SPRING VEGETABLE SAUTE with SMOKY BACON, MINT and FETA

1 pound spring vegetables–English peas, sugar snaps, broccoli florets, cauliflower, spinach or greens
olive oil
smoked bacon
3-4 spring onions, cut into slivers
splash of white wine
5 oz. feta cheese, cut into 1/4″ cubes
small handful mint, chopped
small handful parsley, chopped
salt  & pepper to taste

Blanch vegetables in boiling water for 30-45 seconds, then drain and refresh in ice water. Cut bacon into 1/4″ cubes or lardons and saute in a little olive oil until crisp and fat renders. Add spring onion and continue to saute for 2-3 minutes. Add vegetables to skillet and add white wine to deglaze pan. When hot throughout, add feta cheese and herbs and cook until herbs are bright. Serve sprinkled with additional chopped herbs.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Farmhouse Table, April 23, 2010

2448. SPINACH, MUSHROOM and BACON CHEESE FONDUE

makes four servings


32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth
16 oz. mild cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz. gouda cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter
3 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
3 slices bacon, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 oz. fresh mushrooms of your choice, chopped
3/4 cup white wine (or beer)

Dipping foods:
Broccoli florets
Cauliflower florets
Asparagus spears, ends trimmed and cut into 3" lengths
Green beans, trimmed
Granny smith apples, cut into chunks
Pumpernickel bread, cut into chunks

Prepare the dipping foods by bringing the chicken stock to a boil in a sauce pot. Add the broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and green beans and cook for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, strain out the vegetables, reserving the broth. You will use 1/4 cup of this reserved broth in the fondue, but save the rest for another use.

In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cheddar, shredded gouda and the flour until flour is coating cheese evenly. Set aside.

Take the thawed chopped spinach in your hand and squeeze as much water as you can out of the spinach. Set aside.

Heat a fondue pot or medium pot over medium heat with the butter and bacon. Cook the bacon for 2 minutes (make sure the bacon does not burn or cook too quickly). Add the garlic and mushrooms and saute until the mushrooms are softened, about 2 minutes. Pour in wine and 1/4 cup of the previously reserved chicken broth from step 1. Bring to a simmer and in batches, add a handful of the cheese, stirring and letting the cheese melt before adding more. Stir in the chopped spinach. If the fondue becomes too thick, add a couple tablespoons of additional broth.

Serve fondue with the vegetables, apples and bread.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jaden Hair, Steamy Kitchen, November 9, 2010

2445. CAULIFLOWER and BACON STROZZAPRETI

2 strips bacon, diced
olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 red onion, slivered
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, julienned
1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
small handful torn basil and chopped parsley
1 pound strozzapreti, or pasta shape of your choice
salt and pepper to taste
grated parmesan

In a large skillet with high sides, saute bacon in olive oil. When bacon begins to get crisp add onions and garlic and saute until golden. Add sundried tomatoes and toss. Add cauliflower florets and saute until tender-crisp. Meanwhile, boil pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of pasta cooking water. Add pasta to skillet along with cooking water, a handful of grated parmesan and herbs. Toss everything together and serve with additional grated parmesan on top.


bacon recipe courtesy of: farm + house + table, January 22, 2010

2332. BEET GREEN and BACON GARLICKY MASHED POTATOES

serves 2 hungry people as a main and 4-6 as a side


1 lb cauliflower florets
1 lb potatoes, scrubbed and roughly chopped
1 head pan-roasted garlic
1/4 cup sour cream
about 6 cups of beet greens, washed well, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
3 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon crushed red chile pepper
salt, pepper

In a medium pot, boil the potatoes in salted water until about 10 minutes from being done (they should still have some hardness to them). Add the cauliflower florets and cook until both are fork-tender. Drain and put back on the heat for a minute or two.

While the potatoes boil, saute onions with the spices in a bit of oil until tender and, yes, a bit brown. Remove.

In a large skillet, melt butter over moderate heat. Add chopped beet greens, a bit of salt and pepper, then cover for 2-3 minutes. Uncover and stir greens well. They're done when wilted.

Combine everything in a large bowl (or the potatoes' pot) and mash well. Add hot sauce to your taste and adjust other seasonings as needed.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Cori Rozentāle, The Kitchen Mouse, September 21, 2009