3878. CORN, BEAN and CHEESE SALAD with BACON (ENSALADA MIRAFLORES)

Serves 4


3 ears choclo or other corn
1 tbsp olive oil
3 1/2 oz / 100 g bacon lardons
1 (7 oz / 200 g) can butter beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red onion, cut into 3/8-inch / 1-cm dice
4 large tomatoes, seeded and cut into 3/8-inch / 1-cm dice
1/4 rocoto chile, seeded and very finely chopped
7 oz / 200 g queso fresco or feta cheese, cut into small cubes
1 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsely

For the Dressing
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
A pinch of superfine sugar
A squeeze of lime juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over medium heat and cook the choclo until tender. Drain and plunge into iced water to cool down and then cut or break off the kernels from the cob.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and saute the bacon lardons for a few minutes, until they are crisp and brown. Drain on paper towels.

Put the choclo, butter beans, onion, tomatoes, chile, and cheese in a large bowl.

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or jug and pour into the bowl of salad. Gently toss everything together, trying not to break up the cheese.

Divide the salad among 4 shallow bowls and sprinkle over the bacon lardons and parsley.


bacon recipe source: Ceviche: Peruvian Kitchen, by Martin Morales (Ten Speed Press, 2013)

3721. KIMCHI-BACON QUESADILLAS

serves four


8 flour tortillas
1-1½ cups kimchi, drained and roughly chopped
8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped into roughly 1" pieces
2 cups grated monterey jack cheese
2 cups grated white cheddar cheese
Nonstick cooking spray

Optional (but recommended) toppings:
1 avocado, thinly sliced
scallions, chopped
queso fresco, crumbled
pico de gallo
gojuchang aioli

Cook bacon over medium heat in a medium pan until golden brown and fat is rendered. Remove bacon to a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Add kimchi to the bacon drippings and cook, stirring ocassionally, until it starts to caramelize, about 6-8 minutes.

Build your quesadillas. Mix cheeses together. Sprinkle approximately ½ cup of cheese onto a tortilla, followed by a bit of kimchi and bacon. Top with another ½ cup of cheese and another tortilla. Repeat three more times with remaining tortillas.

Spray a medium sized skillet (one big enough to fit your tortillas) with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Cook quesadillas, one at a time and spraying pan with nonstick spray in between each one, for about 1-2 minutes, until tortilla is golden brown, and then carefully flip and cook 1-2 minutes more.

Cut into wedges and serve immediately with avocado, scallions, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and/or gochujang aioli.


bacon recipe source: Chris, Shared Appetite (@sharedappetite) 

3700. HUEVOS RANCHEROS with BACON TORTILLAS

For the salsa:
5 vine-ripened tomatoes (about 2 pounds)

2 to 3 serrano chile peppers
1/2 white onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
 

For the tortillas:
6 slices bacon
1 cup masa harina (instant corn flour)
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
 

For the eggs:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 large eggs
Kosher salt
1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese or queso fresco
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

 

Make the salsa: Preheat the broiler. Spread the tomatoes and serrano peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until charred, 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap in the foil and set aside, about 10 minutes. Rub off the charred skins; remove the pepper stems. Pulse the tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor until chunky.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the tomato mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and season with salt. Transfer the salsa to a bowl and cover to keep warm; wipe out the skillet.

Prepare the tortillas: Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 9 to 11 minutes; drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Finely chop the bacon. Combine all but about 1 tablespoon bacon, the masa harina and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup warm water and knead in the bowl until the dough is soft and pliable, about 2 minutes. Divide the dough into 4 pieces; roll each into a ball, then flatten into 4-inch disks.

Cook the tortillas: Heat the vegetable oil in the cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tortillas and cook until golden brown on the bottoms, 3 to 4 minutes; flip and cook until golden on the other side, 3 more minutes. Flip again and cook until the tortillas are browned and cooked through, about 1 more minute. Wrap in foil to keep warm.

Make the eggs: Add the vegetable oil to the bacon drippings in the nonstick skillet and set over medium-high heat. Add the eggs, season with salt and fry until the whites are set, 3 to 5 minutes.

Spoon some of the prepared salsa onto 4 plates. Place a tortilla on each plate and top with a fried egg. Top with a little more salsa, then sprinkle with the cheese, cilantro and the reserved bacon.

bacon recipe source: Food Network Kitchen/Food Network Magazine

3564. AVOCADO, BACON and MANGO SALAD with QUESO FRESCO DRESSING

serves 3-4

 

For salad:

1 head butter lettuce, or any soft lettuce like Boston Bibb

1 avocado, pitted, peeled & sliced

1 mango, peeled & sliced

4-5 strips bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped

queso fresco for garnish

For dressing:

½ cup olive oil

¼ cup rice wine vinegar

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

3 tablespoons queso fresco

salt to taste

Salad: Place lettuce in a large serving bowl. Top with avocado and mango. Drizzle dressing, if desired, then sprinkle with bacon and extra queso fresco for garnish.

 

Dressing: In a mixer or food processor, process all ingredients together until smooth. Season to taste. Pour into an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

 

 

bacon recipe source: Dianna Muscari (@TheKitchenPrep), Honest Cooking, May 28, 2014

3460. SPICY PULLED CHICKEN SLIDERS with BACON-QUESO GUACAMOLE

yields 8-10 servings


1 medium yellow onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 chipotle peppers canned in adobo, finely chopped
½ cup ketchup
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons honey
18 ounces beer
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
36 slider buns

bacon-queso guacamole (recipe below)

 

Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a dutch oven (or large saucepan with a lid) over medium heat. When hot, add the minced onions and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent. Add the chipotles, ketchup, lime juice, honey and beer. Bring the mixture to a boil and then add the chicken breasts. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Remove the chicken breasts from the cooking liquid and allow them to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken using two forks.

Bring the cooking liquid to a boil and cook until it has reduced by about half and thickened slightly. This should take about 15 minutes.

When your sauce has reduced, mix in the shredded chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through. Spoon your spicy pulled chicken onto slider rolls and top with bacon-queso guacamole and serve immediately.

Bacon-Queso Guacamole (yields 8 servings)

3 avocados

1½ limes, juiced

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ cup red onion, minced

4 slices cooked thick-cut bacon, crumbled

½ cup crumbled queso fresco

3 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro

salt

fresh ground pepper

Slice the avocados in half and remove the pits. Score each avocado half with a knife and spoon the avocado out of its skin into a mixing bowl. Squeeze lime juice over the avocado and mash it with a fork. Mix in the minced garlic, red onion, bacon, queso fresco and cilantro and season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Cover tightly with plastic wrap until ready to use.

bacon recipe source: Serena Wolf (@serenagwolf), Domesticate Me, September 6, 2013

3456. FRY BREAD BREAKFAST TACOS

makes about 8-10 tacos


For the fry bread dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups warm water
vegetable oil, for frying

Toppings (all toppings are optional and as much or as little can be used, depending on what you want):
6 to 8 eggs (scrambled or fried)
bacon, cooked
sausage, crisped and crumbled
3 medium potatoes, cooked and browned
avocado, sliced
tomatoes, diced
cheese (queso fresco), crumbled
scallions, sliced
sour cream
beans
hot sauce
salsa (recipe follows)

In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk until completely combined. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the warm water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for a few minutes until the dough is somewhat smooth. Place back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Heat the oil in a pot or a skillet with high sides, until very hot. Portion out the dough into golf ball sized balls—you should get about 8 to 10 balls—and then roll out on a lightly floured work surface, until very thin. Poke a hole in the center of the dough to allow steam to escape while frying. Fry the dough rounds, one at a time, for about 1 to 2 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and transfer to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough until they are all fried. Keep the fry breads warm in the oven set at 250°F.

To assemble the tacos, top with eggs cooked the way you like it. Over easy, sunny side up, over hard or scrambled. Add browned potatoes, cooked bacon or crumbled sausage. Garnish with your choice of diced tomatoes, cheese, avocado, scallions, sour cream, beans, hot sauce or homemade salsa (recipe follows). Serve warm. The extra fry breads can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or food storage bag and rewarmed in the oven when ready to use. You can also freeze the fried fry breads and rewarm later on. Make the toppings and assemble the tacos when you are ready to eat.


bacon recipe source: Jonathan Melendez, The Candid Appetite (@CandidAppetite), January 31, 2014

3370. CHICKEN, BACON and BLACK BEAN TAQUITOS

makes 4 to 6 servings


6 medium-thick slices (about 5 ounces total) smoky bacon
1 small onion, cut into small dice (about 1 cup)
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, tenders or breasts, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained, rinsed, slightly mashed
2 pouches (8 ounces each) enchilada sauce
salt
vegetable oil, such as expeller pressed canola oil or safflower oil
2 medium-sized (6 ounces each) zucchini, cut into sticks about ¼ by ¼ by 2 inch (about 3 to 4 cups)
1 package (1 dozen) corn tortillas
½ cup crumbled queso fresco, farmer’s cheese or mild feta
chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisped. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towel and reserve.

Add onion to bacon fat in skillet. Cook and stir until onion is tender, about 3 minutes. Add chicken; cook and stir over medium heat until chicken is nearly cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in slightly mashed beans and ½ cup of the enchilada sauce; heat through, about 2 minutes. Crumble and stir in the bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Transfer to a bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm.

Wipe skillet clean and heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add zucchini. Sauté, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Season with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

Lay tortillas out onto a baking sheet in stacks of two and generously brush all sides with oil. Bake, turning them once, to soften and warm, about 3 minutes.

Reduce oven to 300 degrees. Fill each warm tortilla with about 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture. Then roll up into tight cigars and place on a plate seam side down. Repeat this process with all the tortillas.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat ¼ inch of oil over medium-high heat. Place 4 taquitos at a time, seam side down, into hot oil. Fry, turning once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a 13 by 9-inch pan lined with paper towel and keep warm in the oven until all are fried.

To serve, warm the remaining enchilada sauce in a small saucepan. Spoon sauce onto serving platter. Top with fried taquitos. Arrange sautéed zucchini down center of taquitos. Sprinkle everything with queso fresco and cilantro. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Frontera Fiesta with Chef Rick Bayless; Frontera Foods, Inc., 449 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654

3312. BREAKFAST TORTA with BACON, EGGS and CHIPOTLE GUACAMOLE

serves four


4 Mexican rolls (telera or bolillo)

1 (16-ounce) can refried pinto beans

1/2 pound thick-cut bacon 

8 eggs  

2 avocados 

1 tablespoon fresh juice from about 1 lime 

Handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped 

1/2 white onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup) 

1 garlic clove, minced (about 1 teaspoon) 

1 chipotle chile en adobo  

2 ounces queso fresco, crumbled 

 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap rolls in aluminum foil and place in the oven to warm.

 

Heat refried beans in a small saucepan over medium-low, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking on the bottom. Alternatively, heat in the microwave on medium heat, stirring every 30 seconds until hot. Taste and season with a pinch of salt if necessary.

 

Cook bacon in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until crisp. Remove slices with tongs and drain on paper towels. Add 1/2 tablespoon bacon fat to refried beans and stir well. Drain fat remaining fat into a bowl and set aside.

 

Crack 4 eggs into large bowl, season with a pinch of salt, and whisk until combined. Heat 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon fat in the now-empty skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add the whisked eggs. Tilt the pan so eggs evenly coat the bottom, and cook until set and just starting to brown on the bottom, about 1 minute. Use a spatula to fold the eggs like an omelet, and continue cooking until lightly browned. Flip and brown on the other side. Transfer the cooked eggs to a plate. Repeat process with more bacon fat and remaining eggs. Cut both sheets of egg in half, to make four sheets.

 

Cut avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Mash with the back back of a fork. Stir in lime juice, cilantro, onion, garlic, and chipotle. Season to taste with salt.

 

When warm, remove rolls from the oven and discard aluminum foil. Cut each in half horizontally, and use your fingers to remove some of the excess interior of the rolls. For the bottom halves, smear the cut-side with a few tablespoons of refried beans and add a sheet of egg and 2 slices of bacon. For the top halves, smear the cut-side with a few tablespoons of the guacamole and sprinkle queso fresco. Place the top halves on the bottom halves. Slice vertically crosswise and serve immediately.

 

 

bacon recipe source: Nick Kindelsperger (@nickdk), "Dinner Tonight," Serious Eats, March 17, 2014

2420. QUESO FRESCO BACON BURGERS with AVOCADO SALSA

6 jalapenos
3/4 pound of bacon
3 pounds ground chuck
1 cup crumbled queso fresco
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 buttermilk
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 avocados, pitted & thinly sliced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
hamburger buns

In a skillet, cook the jalapenos in a little bit of oil until softened and charred. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let cool slightly. Remove and discard the skin, stem, and seeds; finely chop the chiles.

Fry the bacon until crispy and reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.

In a large bowl, combine the reserved bacon fat, half of the chopped chiles, and crumbled bacon. Then mix in the ground beef. Form into 6 patties and season with salt and pepper.

In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled queso fresco, mayo, buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and the remaining chiles. Season with salt and pepper; refrigerate.

In another bowl, toss together the sliced avocados, onion, cilantro, and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.

Grill the burgers, turning once, for about 10 minutes for medium rare, longer if you like them more well done. Just before the burgers are done, toast the buns on the grill (or skillet) for about a minute.

Place a burger on each bun bottom, top with some avocado salsa and queso fresco dressing, and finish with the top half of the bun.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Crystal Light Faulkner, Mrs Happy Homemaker, June 30, 2011

2419. BACON EGGPLANT BURRITOS with FRESH SALSA

4 bacon slices
1 small onion
1 large eggplant
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
1 cup hominy
fresh tomato salsa (recipe below)
olive or corn oil
queso fresco
salt and pepper
corn or flour tortillas

Peel and dice the eggplant. In a medium sized fry pan, cook the bacon to so that it's done but not too crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on a paper towel. If there is more than a tablespoon of grease in the pan, remove some. If your pan is dry without any bacon grease, then add a good drizzle of olive oil along with the diced onion and eggplant. Cook, tossing often, until both are tender and cooked. Add in the garlic, let that saute for a few minutes and then add in the crushed tomatoes. Cover the pan and let everything simmer for 5 minutes.

Place the eggplant mixture and the bacon in a small food processor, process a few times to blend it all together. Fill each tortilla with a spoon of the eggplant mixture, add in a spoon of hominy and a little queso fresco.

Wrap the burrito and place in shallow pan; you may need to warm the tortillas first to make them easier to wrap. Once you've made all of your burritos, place in a warm oven for about 15 minutes.

Serve with a spoon of the fresh salsa, crumbled queso fresco and a little extra crumbled bacon if desired.

Fresh Tomato Salsa
1 tomato, diced small
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (or cilantro)
juice of 1 lime

Toss all the ingredients together in a bowl. Spoon over the burritos above.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Monique Costello, Fat and Happy, August 31, 2011

2206. CRISPY BLACK BEAN and BACON TACOS

serves 4 to 6 as a hefty snack or a simple meal


6 slices bacon
1 small white onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups seasoned, cooked black beans (either canned or homemade), drained of most of their cooking liquid
2 to 3 pickled jalapenos or canned chipotle chiles en adobo, stemmed, seeded & finely chopped
A sprinkling of salt
Vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2 inch for frying
12 very thin factory-made tortillas
2/3 cup crumbled Mexican queso fresco or pressed, salted farmer’s cheese
6 good-size romaine leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 large tomato, cored & chopped into 1/4-inch dice

In a large (10- to 12-inch heavy skillet, lay out the bacon & fry over medium heat, turning when browned underneath, until thoroughly crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but a thin coating of drippings.

Add the onion to the pan & cook, stirring regularly, until deep golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, then coarsely mash with a bean or potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon. Crumble the bacon & add half of it to the beans along with the chiles; stir over the heat until quite thick, about 5 minutes. Taste & season with salt. Cool.

Clean the skillet, pour in the oil & heat over medium-high. When hot, one by one, quick-fry the tortillas for several seconds to soften, then remove them with tongs & pat thoroughly dry on paper towels. Stack the blotted tortillas together, & remove the oil from the heat.

Spoon 2 Tbs of the black-bean mixture down the center of each tortilla, sprinkle each with about 1/2 Tbs of the cheese, & roll up. Cover with plastic wrap.

Return the oil to between medium & medium-high heat, you should have at least 1/4 inch of it in your skillet. Slice the romaine crosswise into 3/8-inch ribbons & toss with the vinegar & a little salt.

When the oil is very hot (it shouldn’t be smoking; 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer is just right), fry the taquitos 4 at a time, being sure to lay them into the hot oil flap-side down. When crispy underneath, about 2 minutes, flip them over & fry on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from the oil with tongs or a slotted spatula, drain on paper towels & tip them to ensure no oil is inside. Keep warm in a low oven until all are fried.

Spread the lettuce on top a serving platter (or divide it between individual plates) & top with the taquitos. Spoon the chopped tomato down he center of the tacos, sprinkle with the remaining cheese & bacon & carry the whole assembly to the table


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen: Capturing the Vibrant Flavors of a World-Class Cuisine by Rick Bayless. Scribner, 1996 | Taste and Tell, June 4, 2010

1321. CHORIZO-STUFFED BACON-WRAPPED GRILLED JALAPENOS

24 fresh jalapeno peppers
1 lb. fresh mexican chorizo sausage
24 slices sliced bacon
8 oz. queso fresco, white Mexican cheese or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Cook chorizo without casings in hot skillet over medium heat until cooked. Drain excess grease. Set aside. Combine white Mexican Cheese and softened cream cheese, and also set aside. Cut a slit in each jalapeno, starting near the crown and down to just near the tip. Making each pepper a small coin purse that you can squeeze open to clean out. With a very small spoon, scoop out the seeds and membranes. With a small spoon or your fingers, stuff the peppers half full of the cheese mixture. Add the chorizo to finish stuffing each pepper. Wrap the pepper, starting at one end and wrapping around to the opposite end, with one slice of bacon (smaller peppers may only require 1/2 slice). Secure bacon to the pepper with a toothpick at each end. Can make ahead of time, cover and refrigerate until time to grill. Preheat grill to medium hot heat. Grill peppers for 8-10 minutes, rotating on grill grate every 2 min. to evenly and thoroughly cook the bacon and roast the pepper. Let cool slightly, remove the toothpicks, and serve warm.


courtesy of: Brian Meagher, Hot Sauce Daily, Ocean City, Maryland, August 7, 2007

1317. SHORT RIB CHILI with BACON-WRAPPED TENDERLOIN TIPS

serves 6 to 8


FOR CHILI
6 pounds bone-in short rib
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
1 large carrot
1 large onion
3 celery stalks
1 head garlic, split
3 ancho chilis, seeded
1 tablespoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cans beef stock
8 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2 cups red wine
1 tablespoon brown sugar

FOR BACON-WRAPPED TENDERLOIN
18 each, 2 oz tenderloin tips
18 each, slices of thinly cut smoked bacon
1 tablespoon blended oil
Salt and pepper to taste

FOR GARNISH
1/2 cup queso fresco or cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 bunch scallion (green and white separated)
1/2 cup cilantro

TO MAKE CHILI: Season short rib with salt, pepper and chili powder. In a braising pan heat oil, sear all sides of the short ribs, and remove. Add onion, carrots and celery to pan and roast till caramelized. Add garlic and chilies and cook an additional 5 minutes. Sprinkle all roasted vegetables with brown sugar and deglaze with red wine and beef stock. Add Worcestershire and place seared meat in the pan and cover.

Cook in 300-degree oven for 2 1/2 hours. Remove from oven--meat should be falling off the bone. With a ladle, remove any fat from the pan and ribs. Place ribs on a plate, and begin shredding into pieces once they're cool enough to handle. Strain remaining sauce from roasting pan and reduce by half in a skillet over medium-high flame. Once reduced, fold meat into sauce and season to taste.

TO MAKE BACON-WRAPPED TENDERLOIN: Wrap each tenderloin tip with a piece of bacon. Season with salt and pepper, and, in a sauté pan, cook the meat to desired wellness and until bacon is crisp.

TO ASSEMBLE: Place chili in a bowl and top with 3 tenderloin slices. Garnish each bowl with cheese, cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and scallions.


courtesy of: Todd English, Epicurious.com, January 4, 2008