3883. BACON BOURBON FRUITCAKE

1 c raisins
1 c chopped, pitted dates
1 c chopped dried apples
1 c bourbon
1 c brown sugar
6 T butter
4 T bacon grease (see syrup recipe below)
1 c apple juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 ¾ c all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
¼ to ½ cup toasted pecans, broken

Bourbon Maple Bacon syrup
1 lb bacon, thick cut, double smoked, cut to ½ inch pieces
6 oz bourbon
1 ½ c maple syrup

Fry bacon (in 2 batches, if needed) over medium heat until golden brown. Drain off a good portion of the grease and set aside for later use in the fruitcake. OFF THE HEAT, CAREFULLY add the bourbon to bacon in the pan, stirring and scraping the bits off the bottom. Add in your maple syrup and stir. Increase heat to med/high until bubbling well. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for a bit. Transfer to a container and cover, refrigerate overnight.

The next day, skim the fat from the surface and using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the syrup mixture for use in fruitcake. Refrigerate syrup until you’re ready to baste the cakes.

Fruitcake:

Combine dried fruits, add bourbon and macerate overnight or microwave 5 minutes to rehydrate fruit.

Place fruit and liquid in a non-reactive pot with the sugar, butter, bacon grease, apple juice and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a boil stirring often, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for at least 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325.

Combine dry ingredients and stir carefully into the fruit mixture. When combined, stir in eggs one at a time, then fold in nuts and reserved bacon. Try not to overmix. Spoon into a 10 inch non-stick loaf pan and bake for 1 hour, or mini loaf pans and check doneness after 20 minutes with a toothpick.

remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. Baste with Bourbon Maple Bacon syrup and let cool completely before turning out of the pan.

When it is completely cool, place in a tight sealing, food safe container and put in the refrigerator. Once or twice a day for 3 days, baste the cake on all sides with syrup mixture.


bacon recipe source: Megan Schettler Schug, "Bacon Saves the Fruitcake!", KIOA 93.3, Iowa, November 27, 2013

3695. BACON and GOLDEN RAISIN PILAF

serves four


200 grams (7 oz) long grain white rice
300 grams (10 oz) smoked bacon
1 small tube of saffron, or 1 cube of saffron stock
ground red pepper
salt to taste
1 small packet of golden raisins

Cut the bacon into small strips and stir fry them in a pan (using the fats as oil). After about 5 to 10 minutes when the bacon is more or less cooked, add in the ground red pepper. Add in the rice and stir for a while to let the rice absorb the flavours. Add in saffron and 2 cups of water initially, stirring every once in a while. As rice cooks, add as much more water as needed, but in small portions each time until rice achieves consistency you like. Once rice is cooked, add in golden raisins, and stir to make sure they are distributed evenly. Chop parsley and spring onions for garnish.


bacon recipe source: Felicia Lim, Dish by Dish (@_dishbydish), August 11, 2012

3694. WALDORF SLAW with BACON

yields four servings


4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon celery seeds
2 apples (such as Gala or Fuji)
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 carrots, shredded
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes; drain on paper towels.

Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar and celery seeds in a large bowl until combined. Slice the apples into matchsticks, then add to the bowl with the dressing along with the celery, carrots, walnuts, raisins, parsley and bacon. Season with salt and pepper and toss.

bacon recipe source: Food Network Kitchen/Food Network Magazine

3599. QUINOA SALAD with PEAS, BACON and GOLDEN RAISINS

yields 4-6 servings 

1 cup quinoa

1 cup fresh or frozen green peas

2 lemons, zest and juice reserved

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

4 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/3 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup chopped pecans

Put 2 cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the quinoa and stir. Cover the pan, reduce heat so the water is just simmering, and cook until the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Add the peas to the pan and stir with the quinoa. Cover and cook another 5 minutes. Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, basil, dill, and chives. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour the dressing over the quinoa. Add the bacon, raisins and chopped pecans and toss to coat. Serve warm, at room temp, or cold from the fridge.

bacon recipe source: Rachael White, Set the Table (@rachaelwhiteSTT), March 2014

3467. SWEET POTATO TAMALES with BACON

makes about 25 appetizer-size tamales


4 pounds sweet potatoes
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
6-8 pieces of bacon
2 1/4 cups masa harina
1/2 cup melted butter or lard (or reserved bacon fat)
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup golden raisins
Salt and pepper to taste
About 30 dried corn husks for wrapping tamales

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a baking sheet. Place corn husks in a bowl and cover with warm water to soften them.

Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Melt the 4 tablespoons butter. Stir 4 tablespoons (half) of the brown sugar into the melted butter. Stir in the cinnamon (optional).

Place the sweet potato halves on the baking sheet with the cut sides facing upwards. Brush the cut halves of the sweet potatoes with the melter butter and sugar mixture.

Bake sweet potatoes until they are very soft when pierced with a fork, about 45 minutes to an hour. Remove from the oven and let cool.

While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon: Place the bacon slices (working in batches if necessary) in a heavy skillet and heat over medium heat. Cook until bacon is browned and crispy, turning at least once. Drain bacon slices on paper towels, then finely chop.

Pour excess bacon fat out of the skillet and strain into a heat proof glass or bowl. Reserve bacon fat for tamale dough, if desired. (I prefer to use butter because the bacon fat gives a lot of bacon flavor).

Slice the onion into thin slices and add to the skillet with a bit of the bacon fat. Cook onions over slowly over low heat, until they are browned and sweet. Remove onions to a bowl, and stir in the raisins and the chopped bacon.

Prepare the masa: Add the masa harina to a large bowl. Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the inside of the potatoes (discarding the skins) and add to the bowl. Mix well with a potato masher. Add the melted butter or lard (or reserved bacon fat) and the chicken stock, mixing well. Stir in the remaining brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Drain the corn husks and pat dry. Tear a few of the corn husks lengthwise into strips.

Place a corn husk down on a flat surface. Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the masa into a 2 1/2 inch square in the middle of the corn husk. Add some of the onion mixture to the middle of the masa. Fold the sides of the corn husk in slightly to close the filling over the onions, then unfold them. Fold the pointed end of the husk up over the filling. Fold in the sides, one over the other. Tie at the top with a strip of corn husk. Repeat until masa and/or filling run out (I can never manage to use them up equally).

Place a steaming basket or colander inside of a large pot. Fill the colander with the tamales. Fill the pot with water, keeping the water level below the tamales. Cover the tamales with a towel and then the pot lid. Heat the water to boiling, and steam the tamales for 45 minutes to an hour. Check the water level from time to time and add more water as needed.

Let tamales cool for 10 minutes or so before serving. Tamales can be reheated in the microwave, or briefly re-steamed.


bacon recipe source: Marian Blazes, South American Food Expert, South American Food/About.com

3295. BAKED APPLES with OATS, BACON, CHOCOLATE and RAISINS

yields four servings

2 bacon strips, finely chopped

4 crisp apples

2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats

1 tablespoon finely chopped dark chocolate (or small chocolate chips)

2 tablespoons finely chopped raisins

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons Calvados, divided

½ cup apple juice or apple cider

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
2 cinnamon sticks

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small skillet set over medium heat, add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until it is browned and crisp, about 6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate, saving the bacon fat.

Trim off a thin slice from the bottom of each apple so it stands upright. Use an apple corer or melon baller to make a wide well in the center of each apple, discarding the seeds. Set the apples in a square baking dish.

In a medium bowl mix, together the oats, chocolate, raisins, crispy bacon and 1 tablespoon of the warm bacon fat. Divide 2 tablespoons of Calvados among the apple cavities, then stuff each apple with some of the bacon-oat mixture.

To the baking dish, add the remaining ½ cup of Calvados and the apple juice. Drizzle the maple syrup over the top of each apple and top each with a ½ tablespoon of butter. Add the cinnamon sticks to the baking dish and bake the apples for 25 minutes.

Baste the apples with the liquid, then loosely tent the apples with a piece of aluminum foil and continue to bake until a paring knife easily slips into an apple, 20 to 25 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and cool 15 minutes before serving with the roasting juices.


bacon recipe source: Tasting Table Test Kitchen

3029. BRUSSELS SPROUTS with BACON and RAISINS

makes four servings 


1 teaspoon olive oil 
2 thick slices bacon 
4 cups brussels sprouts (about 1 pound), trimmed, halved
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 
1/4 cup golden raisins 
1 medium shallot, finely chopped 
1 tablespoon unsalted butter 
1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth 
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Let cool. Coarsely crumble. (Make sure crumbled bacon is unreachable by children, or it will disappear before you need it again.)

While bacon cools, add brussels sprouts to drippings in skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until well browned in spots and beginning to soften, 5–7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add raisins, shallot, and butter; cook, stirring often, until shallot is soft, about 3 minutes. Add broth to skillet; increase heat and bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until broth has evaporated, 1–2 minutes. Stir in vinegar and crumbled bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jenny Rosenstrach & Andy Ward, Bon Appétit

3028. THREE-CHEESE and BACON SPREAD

makes 8 servings (about 2 tablespoons spread) 


1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese 
4 oz (half of 8-oz package) fat-free cream cheese, softened 
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese 
2 tablespoons fat-free (skim) milk 
1/8 teaspoon paprika
dash pepper 
2 tablespoons real bacon bits
1/4 cup raisins 
2 medium green onions, thinly sliced (2 tablespoons)

In small bowl, beat Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, milk, paprika and pepper with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in bacon bits, raisins and onions until well blended.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Cheerios, General Mills, Inc., P.O. Box 9452, Minneapolis, MN 55440

2994. SWORDFISH with OLIVE-RAISIN TAPENADE with BROCCOLINI and BACON

yields four servings


1 cup olives, chopped
½ cup raisins, plumped in hot water
½ cup tomatoes, small diced
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chiffonade
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chiffonade
4 oz olive oil
2 oz balsamic vinegar
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
salt and pepper, to taste

Broccolini:
2 bunches broccolini, cleaned
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 oz olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Eggplant Puree:
3 eggplants, whole
1 lemon, juiced
3 oz olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

Swordfish:
4 (6 oz) swordfish fillets 
olive oil, to coat
salt and pepper, to taste

For the Olive and Raisin Tapenade: Toss together ingredients and season to taste.

For the Broccolini: Blanch broccolini in salted water, shock in ice bath, and drain off excess water. Heat sauté pan with olive oil and slightly brown garlic. Add broccolini and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

For the Eggplant Puree: Char eggplant over open grill until soft. Peel skin off eggplant and put in food processor. Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Mix in bowl with basil and mint.

For the Swordfish: Season swordfish with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sear until golden on both sides. Let rest.

To Plate: Place broccolini on plate. Make a line of eggplant puree. Lay swordfish across both. Top with tapenade.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Tiffany Derry, Top Chef, Season 7, Episode 7 

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

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

2513. CATALAN SPINACH with RAISINS, PINE NUTS and BACON

serves about 4 people


2 strips of thick cut smoked bacon, cut into small pieces (or 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil)
1 pound fresh washed baby spinach (or frozen: thaw & ring out water)
2-3 cloves of garlic, smashed with side of knife, skin removed
½ cup pine nuts (Spanish)
½ cup raisins
pinch of salt (to taste)
pinch of hot pepper flakes (to taste, optional)

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the cut up bacon and occasionally stir. Once the bacon starts browning, add the garlic, smashed without skin, and sauté until turns golden brown. Remove garlic and reserve. At this point, add in the pine nuts and the raisins. Frequently stir. The raisins will magically inflate and the pine nuts will turn golden brown. Add in the spinach in small batches, stirring, allowing any excess liquid to cook off. Repeat. Add salt and pepper flakes to taste. (Spaniards do not use black or white pepper in traditional dishes like this. They say it changes the flavor too much.) If you really like garlic, add the garlic in at this point. Cook with stirring until the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Erin Swing (The Gluten-Free Organic Chemist & Chef), The Sensitive Epicure, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 12, 2011

1651. BACON-OATMEAL COOKIES

makes 25-30 sandwiches, 4-5 dozen cookies


1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons bacon fat, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 1/2 teaspoons molasses
4 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups bacon bits
1 cup raisins, chocolate chips or walnut pieces (optional)

Preheat oven to 325°F. With a hand held or stand mixer, cream fat with sugar until creamy and light.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, molasses and honey, and beat to incorporate.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt, and whisk to incorporate. Add this mixture to the butter mixture and beat to incorporate. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, and beat briefly to insure that mixture is homogeneous.

Add the oats, bacon bits and raisins, chocolate chips or walnuts, if using. Mix until well distributed.

Drop dough by the heaping tablespoonful onto parchment- or Silpat-lined baking trays, leaving 1 1/2 or 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating tray once during baking. Cool cookies completely before filling.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Amanda Clarke, Serious Eats: A Food Blog and Community, January 22, 2009

1618. KIMCHI-BACON FRIED BULGUR

1/2 cup cracked wheat, dry (bulgur)
2 slices of bacon, diced
1/4 cup kimchi, chopped, preserve liquids
chicken broth
2 tablespoons raisins
1 sheet nori, torn
small bunch red-leaf lettuce, torn
1 soft-boiled egg
handful grated Parmesan cheese
cracked black pepper

Cook 1/2 cup of the bulgur in about 1 1/2 cup chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cracked wheat plumps up and is cooked through.

Meanwhile, heat up a skillet. Fry up the bacon in a bit of oil, until almost crispy, then toss in the kimchi with the liquids. Stir-fry, drizzle in a bit of chicken broth if necessary.

At the last moment, throw in the cooked bulgur and raisins. Stir and cook through. Mix in the nori and lettuce. Scrap it all out into a dish.

Top with soft-boiled egg, sprinkle on Parmesan cheese, top with cracked pepper.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Burp and Slurp

1498. BROILED TROUT with BACON, ONIONS and RAISINS

makes 4 servings


4 thick bacon slices (7 ounces), cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-wide strips
2 cups coarsely chopped red onion
1/2 cup golden raisins (3 ounces)
1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 (10- to 12-ounce) whole rainbow trout, cleaned and boned, leaving heads and tails intact (butterflied), or 8 fillets
2 teaspoons olive oil plus additional if necessary
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Special equipment: 2 (15- by 10-inch) shallow baking pans

Cook bacon in a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then pour off all but 1/4 cup fat (add additional olive oil if bacon doesn't render enough fat). Add onion to skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and beginning to brown on edges, about 6 minutes. Stir in bacon, raisins, vinegar, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and boil until liquid is reduced to about 1/3 cup, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and keep warm, covered.

Preheat broiler and oil baking pans.

Arrange 2 trout, opened and skin side down, in each pan. Brush flesh of fish with 2 teaspoons oil (total) and sprinkle with pepper and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Broil 1 pan of fish about 4 inches from heat until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes, then loosely cover with foil to keep warm and broil second pan of fish in same manner. Spoon bacon mixture down center of each fish and drizzle with remaining juices from skillet.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Gourmet, March 2007

1450. COUSCOUS-STUFFED TOMATOES wrapped in BACON and slow-cooked in BECHAMEL SAUCE

serves 3-4


9 tomatoes
9 rashers of bacon
85 grams mature cheddar cheese
pinch of nutmeg, freshly grated
dashes of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon mustard
salt, and freshly ground pepper

For the Béchamel sauce:
1/2 onions
3 cloves
600 ml milk
50 grams butter
40 grams flour
1 bay leaves
1 teaspoon English mustard
salt, and freshly ground pepper
pinch of nutmeg, freshly grated

For the couscous stuffing:
85 grams couscous
60 grams pine kernels, toasted
2 handfuls of seedless raisins,
1/2 bunch of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
1/2 bunch of fresh mint, finely chopped
juice of 2 lemons
zest of 1 lemons, grated
8 tablespoons olive oil
pinch of ground cumin

First prepare the Béchamel sauce. Stud the onion half with the cloves. Place it in a pan with the milk and bring to a gentle simmer.

Meanwhile, in a separate, heavy-based saucepan, melt the butter gently, then slowly stir in the flour to form a paste. Cook stirring for about 1 minute over moderate heat, then slowly pour in the hot milk through a sieve, stirring constantly.

Once all the milk has been mixed in, add in the bay leaf and mustard. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper and a pinch of nutmeg and simmer for 20 minutes stirring now and then.

To make the couscous stuffing, soak the couscous according to packet instructions.

In a large bowl, mix the soaked couscous with the pine nuts, raisins, parsley, mint, lemon juice and zest, olive oil and cumin. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, mixing well.

Preheat the oven to 170°C/gas 3.

Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Add in the tomatoes and blanch for one minute. Drain, cool and peel.

While the tomatoes are cooling, gently fry the bacon on both sides in a dry non-stick frying pan.

Slice a 'lid' off each tomato (reserving the lids) and carefully scoop out the seeds. Stuff each hollowed-out tomato with a little of the couscous mixture.

Top each tomato with a tomato lid and wrap each one with a rasher of bacon, securing the bacon with a cocktail stick.

Mix the Cheddar, nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce and mustard into the béchamel sauce and check the seasoning.

Spoon just enough of the Béchamel sauce into a large ovenproof dish to cover the base. Fill the dish with the bacon-wrapped tomatoes and pour over the remaining Béchamel sauce.

Bake the tomatoes for 40 minutes.

Serve straight from the oven.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Ed Baines, Good Food Live, UK TV Food

1402. CORNFLAKE BACON COOKIES

yields twelve servings


1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 cups cornflakes
1/2 cup raisins

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Blend thoroughly. Stir in bacon, cornflakes and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2-in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Store in the refrigerator.


courtesy of: Taste of Home, RDA Food & Entertaining Affinity, 5400 South 60th Street, Greendale, Wisconsin 53129

1383. BROCCOLI, BACON and JICAMA SALAD

1 large head broccoli, cut in bite size pieces
1 cup raisins
1 lb. bacon
1 medium jicama, cut in 1/2-inch dice)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 cup peanuts
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

Fry bacon until crisp. Crumble and toss with remaining ingredients. For dressing, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 1/2 cup sugar. Pour over salad; toss; chill; serve.


courtesy of: EveryRecipe.info

1359. BOILED BACON with CIDER and RAISIN SAUCE

serves eight


1 kg boiling bacon, rind and fat removed
100 grams carrots, peeled and sliced
100 grams onion, peeled and sliced
1 bouquet garni (parsley, thyme, bay leaf in a muslin bag)
4 whole cloves
500 ml dry cider
500 ml water

Sauce
100 grams seedless raisins
300 ml cooking liquor
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornflour
2 tablespoons water

Weigh bacon and calculate cooking time - allow 30 minutes per 500 g plus 30 minutes. Place bacon, vegetables, herbs and cloves in deep pan. Add cider and water, bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for calculated cooking time. Add more water if necessary. Remove bacon and reserve cooking liquor.

To Make Sauce: Place seedless raisins, cooking liquor, brown sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Blend the cornflour and water, stir into the sauce and simmer a further 3 minutes. Serve the bacon sliced with the sauce.


courtesy of: All Seasons, All Reasons by Pip Duncan | New Zealand Pork Industry Board, PO Box 4048, 4th Floor, 94 Dixon Street, Wellington

1358. BROCCOLI SALAD with BACON and RAISINS

yields 4-6 servings


1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
salt
fresh ground black pepper
4 cups broccoli florets (about 2 small heads chopped into small florets)
6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup cashews, roughly chopped

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, brown sugar, and vinegar; add salt and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, bacon and raisins. Add dressing and toss well. Store, covered, in refrigerator until ready to serve. Stir in cashews before serving.


courtesy of: Pinch My Salt: Food, Recipes, and Photography, Nicole, San Diego, California