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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

 

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 T. extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

1 shallot, chopped

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed, small sprouts left whole, larger sprouts halved

Salt and pepper

1 C. chicken broth

 

Brown bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Add EVOO to the pan, about one turn of the pan. Add shallots to the pan and sauté 1-2 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts and coat in EVOO. Season with salt and pepper. Cook Brussels sprouts 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften, then add broth. Bring broth to a bubble, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 10 minutes, until tender. Transfer sprouts to a serving dish with a slotted spoon and top with cooked bacon bits.

Bacon, Broccoli and Tomato Pasta

Bacon, Broccoli and Tomato Pasta

1 pound long cut fusilli or other corkscrew shaped pasta

salt

4 slices thick sliced smoked bacon, cut in 1/2 inch pieces

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 pound broccolini, ends trimmed, cut in 1 inch pieces

1/2 pound grape or cherry tomatoes, halved if large

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus extra for garnish

 

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente; drain.

Fry bacon in a deep skillet until golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté briefly until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add broccolini. Sauté until bright green and crisp tender. Add tomatoes, cream, one teaspoon salt and black pepper. Simmer to heat through. Add pasta, bacon and 1/2 cup cheese to skillet; toss to coat. Serve immediately, garnished with remaining cheese.  Note: If using arugula, toss in 2 cups washed and dried arugula with the bacon and cheese.

Pea and Parley Soup with Canadian Bacon

Pea and Parley Soup with Canadian Bacon

 

3 T. EVOO

2 Shallots, chopped

16oz. bag Frozen Peas

5 C. Chicken Stock

Salt and Pepper

8 sliced Canadian Bacon, diced

½ C. flat leaf Parsley

 

Heat 2 T. EVOO in a medium soup pot. Add shallots and sate 3-4 minutes. Add peas and 1 C. stock and heat through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add remaining evoo to small skillet and add Canadian bacon, toss over medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes to crisp up. Transfer peas to a food processor with the parsley and puree, adding stock as needed to make a smooth puree. Return to pot, stir in remaining stock and heat through. Sprinkle with bacon pieces to serve.

Slow Roasted Pork Belly with Baked Apple & Onion

Slow Roasted Pork Belly with Baked Apple & Onion

When it comes to roasting, there aren’t many things more forgiving than pork belly. All that fat keeps things lovely and moist even if it is overcooked a little so fear not. When rolled like I have here it is not only a good looking roast, but the lack of bones make for super easy carving. As with all meat, it’s best if it is at room temperature before it goes into the oven so take the pork out of the fridge a few hours before you’re ready to cook.

 

3 heads garlic

1 small bunch sage, leaves picked & roughly chopped

1T smoky paprika

2T fennel seeds, ground

2T olive oil

2kg pork belly, bones removed and skin scored (get your butcher to do this)

2T olive oil, extra

3 red onions

8 small apples

1C (250mL) dry white wine

 

Preheat oven to 180C. Break garlic into individual cloves but leave the skins on. Place in a small ovenproof dish and bake for 20-30mins or until garlic is very soft. Allow to cool and then squeeze out soft flesh into a small bowl, discarding the skins. Stir through sage, paprika, fennel seeds and olive oil to form a chunky paste. Season. Place pork belly on a wire rack skin side up and position over the sink. Pour boiling water oven the skin to soften it then pat dry. Place belly on a clean surface skin side down and spread the paste in a long row down the center of the belly. Roll the belly into a log and tie with kitchen string to hold in place. If any of the garlic mix oozes out just stuff it back in the best you can. Increase oven temperature to 250C. Peel and slice each onion into three thick rounds and place in a layer on the bottom of a baking dish. Place pork on top of the onion with the join side down. Rub with extra olive oil and sprinkle generously with sea salt. Bake for 30mins. Reduce heat to 160C and add wine and 1C water. Score apples in a ring around their middles and place in the baking dish next to the pork. Bake for an additional 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until pork is tender inside and the skin is golden. Drain cooking juices into a saucepan and allow pork to rest in a warm place. While the pork is resting bring juices to a simmer to reduce slightly.  To serve slice pork into round approx 1cm thick divide pork slices, onion and apples between 8 warmed plates. Drizzle over reduced juices and serve immediately. For a delicious Sunday lunch, serve with braised fennel, hasselback potatoes and a green salad.

Farro Salad with Bacon & Cauliflower

Farro Salad with Bacon & Cauliflower

 

 

To enhance this version, add a handful or two of walnuts or pecans. Some crumbled goat cheese might also be nice here.

 

4 cups farro, cooked according to package instructions*

10 slices good-quality bacon, thinly sliced

1 head cauliflower, florets roughly chopped

4 large handfuls of arugula (or other leafy green, such as spinach)

3 tbsp. olive oil

juice of 1 lemon

2 tsp. salt

freshly ground pepper

1 cup pecan halves

 

In a large skillet, sauté the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel with a slotted spoon, but leave the fat in the skillet over the heat.  Add the cauliflower florets to the skillet and sauté for about 7 minutes, or until they become tender and begin to brown slightly. Remove the florets to a paper towel with a slotted spoon. Let the bacon and cauliflower cool, then toss with the farro and arugula. Drizzle with the olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss until the salad is evenly coated. Top with pecan halves.  Variations:  walnuts or pecans can be added.  Try with crumbled goat cheese.   *I buy pearled farro from Whole Foods (in the bean section for some reason). The package asks you to soak it overnight. I just add about 6 cups of water to the 16 oz. that come packaged and boil for 30 – 40 minutes, or until the farro is tender, but still somewhat chewy. Drain off any excess water, cool and you’re ready to make a salad.

Bacon and Tomato Hash

Bacon and Tomato Hash

2 slices center cut bacon, chopped

1 small Roma tomato, chopped

Handful flat leaf parsley, chopped

2 teaspoons garlic-infused oil (I used grape seed oil)

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (I forgot this and it was fine)

Small handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Freshly ground black pepper

Bread for serving (optional)

Srircha or chili garlic sauce for serving (optional)

 

Heat the oil in a medium skillet. When the oil is hot, add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a towel. Add the tomatoes to the bacon fat and oil (stand back!) and cook until warmed through. Add the Worcestershire and toss to combine. Add the bacon back to the skillet and mix with the tomato before transferring to a plate. Serve with hot sauce and bread if desired.

Tomato Bacon Cups

Tomato Bacon Cups

 

1 small tomato, finely chopped

1/2 C. mayonnaise

1/2 C. real bacon bits

1/2 C. shredded Swiss cheese

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tube (12 oz.) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, separated into 10 biscuits

 

In a small bowl, combine the tomato, mayonnaise, bacon, cheese, onion and basil; set aside. Split each biscuit into three layers; press each layer into an ungreased miniature muffin C.. Spoon tomato mixture into C.. Bake at 450° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Spinach Bacon Roll-Ups

Spinach Bacon Roll-Ups

 

6 Bacon Slices
1 10oz. Pkg. Frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
4oz. Cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 C. Mayonnaise
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/2 C. Chopped green onions

3 9-inch-diameter Flour tortillas

 

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp; drain. Crumble bacon into medium bowl; stir in spinach and next 5 ingredients. Heat 1 tortilla in large skillet over high heat until warm and pliable, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to work surface. Spread 1/3 of filling over tortilla, leaving 1/2-inch border. Roll up tightly, enclosing filling. Wrap in plastic. Repeat with remaining 2 tortillas and filling. Chill until filling is firm, at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove plastic; slice off unfilled ends. Cut rolls crosswise on slight diagonal into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange on large baking sheet. Bake until heated through, about 7 minutes.

Spinach Bacon Deviled Eggs

Spinach Bacon Deviled Eggs

12 hard-cooked eggs

1/2 C. frozen chopped spinach, thawed

1/4 C. mayonnaise

1/4 C. real bacon bits

1 1/2 T. cider vinegar

2 T. butter, softened

1 T. sugar

2 tsp. black pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

 

Peel eggs, slice in half, remove yolks, and mash yolks in a bowl. Combine yolks with remaining ingredients. Mix well. Fill whites.

Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

 

1/4 C. sugar

1/4 C. lemon juice

2 T. olive oil

4 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. each salt, pepper, curry powder, ground cumin and ground coriander

1/2 to 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

18 uncooked jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

9 bacon strips, halved lengthwise

 

In a small bowl, combine the sugar, lemon juice, oil and seasonings. Pour 1/4 C. marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add the shrimp. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade for basting.   In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until cooked but not crisp. Drain on paper towels. Remove shrimp from marinade; discard marinade. Wrap each shrimp with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.   Coat grill rack with cooking spray before starting the grill. Grill bacon-wrapped shrimp, covered, over medium heat for 5-10 minutes or until shrimp turn pink, turning and basting with reserved marinade. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

Ricotta-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Ricotta-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

 

 

1 lb. (about 12 to 13 slices) bacon, preferably thick-cut

25 Medjool dates (about 3/4 lb.)

1/3 C. ricotta cheese

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  Cut the bacon in half lengthwise to make twice as many slices. Set aside. To remove the pits from the dates, cut the tips off each end of the dates and insert the flat end of the skewer until it pushes the pit out of the date. Repeat with remaining dates.  Place the ricotta in the bottom corner of a strong plastic bag and seal tightly. Use scissors to cut a small hole in the tip of 1 of the corners. Now use the bag like a piping bag to fill the dates with the cheese.  Wrap the ricotta stuffed dates with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick through the belly of the date. Arrange all the prepared dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing at least a little space between each one for good browning. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until bacon is browned and crispy. Remove from the baking sheet and gently remove toothpicks. Serve immediately.

Hot Bacon Cheese Dip

Hot Bacon Cheese Dip

2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, cubed

4 C. shredded Cheddar cheese (1 lb)

1 C. half and half

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. each prepared mustard and dried, minced onion

16 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Tortilla chips or baguette slices for dipping

 

In 1 1/2 qt. slow cooker, combine all but the bacon. Cover and cook 2 hours or until cheeses are melted, stir occasionally. Fold in bacon just before serving.

Bacon Pinwheels

Bacon Pinwheels

6 bacon strips, diced

6 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 C. mayonnaise

1 can (4 oz.) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tube (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls

 

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise. Add the mushrooms, garlic powder and bacon. Separate crescent dough into four rectangles; seal perforations. Spread cream cheese mixture over each rectangle to within 1/4 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side; pinch seams to seal. Cut each into six slices. Place slices cut side down on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 2 dozen.

Bacon & Tomato Cups

Bacon & Tomato Cups

8 Slices Bacon

1 Tomato, chopped

1/2 Onion, chopped

3 oz. Shredded Swiss Cheese

1/2 C. Mayonnaise

1 tsp. Dried Basil

1 16oz. Can Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuit Dough.

Preheat over to 375degrees.  Lightly grease a muffin pan.  In medium skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until evenly brown.  Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.  Crumble Bacon into mixing bowl, add tomato, onion, cheese, mayonnaise and basil.  Separate biscuits into halves horizontally.  Place each half into cups of the muffin tin.  Fill each biscuit cup with bacon mixture.  Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Easy Meaty Breakfast Pizza Bites

Easy Meaty Breakfast Pizza Bites

Easy Meaty Breakfast Pizza Bites

6 uncooked sausage patties, quartered

4 slices bacon

2 red, green, or yellow bell peppers, diced

1/2 onion, chopped

5-6 eggs, beaten

1 C. mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 (11 oz) roll of pizza dough

 

Preheat oven to 4OO°F and grease a 12-C. muffin pan plus 2 C. from the second pan (14 C. in all).  In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Place on a paper toweled plate to drain. Reserve a tsp. of bacon fat to cook onions and peppers until tender. Finally, add pieces of sausage and cook until no longer pink. Place sausage on the plate with bacon. Next, on a floured cutting board, roll out pizza dough. Cut pizza into 14 squares. Place one square in each cup.  Prebake the dough for 5 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and tamp the dough down using a tart shaper or the bottom of a shot glass. Crumble bacon and add it, along with sausage, peppers, and onions evenly into each dough cup. Fill each C. evenly with the eggs. Top each pizza C. with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the egg has set. If the cheese is browning too quickly, move the tray to the bottom rack and continue to cook.

Sheet Pan Meat Lovers Breakfast Pizza

Sheet Pan Meat Lovers Breakfast Pizza

Sheet Pan Meat Lovers Breakfast Pizza

2 pkgs. Crescent Dough Sheets

½ lb. Ground Chuck

4 slices Bacon cooked crumbled

½ pkg. 8 oz. Jimmy Dean Sausage (or your favorite)

6 thin slices sandwich Ham cut into strips or smaller

7 ounces Pepperoni slices (one small package)

2 C. Shredded Hash Browns thawed

2 C. Shredded Cheese Cheddar or a blend of your favorites

6 eggs

¼ C. milk

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground black pepper

4 tsp. grated Parmesan Cheese

 

Preheat oven to 375F. Take crescent roll dough out of fridge 15 minutes before using. Spray jelly roll pan (10×15) with nonstick spray. Combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper and Parmesan together and set aside. In a large skillet, brown the ground chuck, bacon and sausage and drain. Spread the dough in the pan and up the sides. Pinch the seams together. Spread the hash browns over the dough. Spread the ground chuck mixture, ham and pepperoni over the hash browns. Spread the cheese over the meat. Pour the egg mixture on top the cheese. Lightly sprinkle all with grated Parmesan Cheese. Bake pizza at 375F for 25-30 minutes or until eggs are set in the middle.

Bacon & Beef Hot Dish

Bacon & Beef Hot Dish

3-4 strips bacon (more if you use center cut)

1 C. diced celery

1 C. diced green pepper

1 C. diced onion

1 lb. lean ground beef

3 C. cooked rice

1 can tomato soup

salt & pepper to taste

 

Dice bacon and cook over low heat to render most of the fat without overcooking — you want it a bit short of crumbly. Remove to large mixing bowl. Leave a T. or so of fat in pan. Raise heat to medium high and add vegetables and salt and pepper to taste. Sauté vegetables until tender. Don’t brown. I start with the celery and give it an extra minute or two. Add vegetables to bacon in mixing bowl. Brown ground beef, breaking into fairly small pieces. Drain and add to bacon and vegetables. Add rice and mix thoroughly. Add soup and mix again. Taste and adjust seasoning. Put in casserole (hot dish) dish and bake covered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. Bacon never tasted so good!

Mom’s Bacon, Sauerkraut, and Noodle Hot Dish

Mom’s Bacon, Sauerkraut, and Noodle Hot Dish

1 lb. bacon  

1 bag egg noodles

1 can undrained sauerkraut

 

Cut bacon up into small pieces and then fry to a crisp. Cook egg noodles according to the directions on the bag, drain and then mix, along with the bacon and all of the bacon grease, with the can of undrained sauerkraut. Bake in a casserole (hot dish) dish at 350 degrees until thoroughly heated.

Bacon Wrapped Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Balsamic Drizzle and Basil

Bacon Wrapped Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Balsamic Drizzle and Basil

Bacon Wrapped Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Balsamic Drizzle and Basil

4 (6 ounce) chicken breasts, butterflied or pounded thin

salt and pepper to taste

4 ounces goat cheese

1 roasted red pepper, diced

2 tablespoons basil, chopped

2 teaspoons lemon zest

8 slices bacon

For the Balsamic drizzle:

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

 

Lay the chicken flat, season the outside with salt and pepper, spread 1/4 of the mixture of the goat cheese, roasted red peppers, basil and lemon zest on the chicken breasts, roll them up and wrap each in 2 slices of bacon. Grill over indirect medium heat, with the lid down, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked (160F to 165F), about 20-30 minutes, or bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven on a wire rack on a baking pan until cooked, about 20-30 minutes, turning the oven to broil for the last few minutes to ensure that the bacon is crispy. For the Balsamic drizzle: Bring the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until it has reduced by half and thickened, about 10-15 minutes.

Country Salad with Lardons

Country Salad with Lardons

Country Salad with Lardons

 

½ lb. Slab Bacon, rind removed

2 T. minced Shallots

1/3 C. Balsamic Vinegar

½ C. EVOO

Salt and Pepper

2 heads Frisee Lettuce

8oz. log Chevre, crumbled

2 C. Croutons

 

Tear frisee into bite sized pieces, wash, spin and dry.  Arrange in salad bowl.  Cut ½” cubes from bacon and brown in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat for 10 minutes.  Remove to paper towels to drain.  Pour out drippings; reserve 1/3 cup and return that to pan.  Lower heat to medium, add shallots and vinegar and cook, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in oil.  Top frisee with chevre, add lardons and dressing.  Toss well to coat.  Add croutons and serve.

 

From Crowd Pleasing Potlucks

Creamy Baked Fennel with Bacon & Mushrooms

Creamy Baked Fennel with Bacon & Mushrooms

Creamy Baked Fennel with Bacon & Mushrooms

 

1 fennel bulb, sliced

1 small onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

3 rashers of bacon, chopped to small pieces

4 brown mushrooms, sliced or chopped

Salt

Black Pepper

Dried parsley

Scant C. Cream

A handful of grated parmesan

Olive oil

1 tsp. butter

 

Fry your bacon in a pan with a little oil till they’re crisp. Plate the bacon and keep the grease in the pan. Cook your onions with the bacon grease for 3 mins. Toss in sliced fennel and garlic. Sautee till fennel is slightly soft. Throw in mushrooms. Add a tiny pinch of salt, black pepper and your parsley. Throw in your cooked bacon. Pour your cream into the mix and let it heat on low fire. Grab half of your parmesan and mix it into the cream. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer fennel to an oven-proof dish. Top with the remaining parmesan and bake in a pre-heated oven of 400 for about 20 mins. Let it cool a bit. Garnish with the fennel fronds.

Leek & Bacon Clafoutis

Leek & Bacon Clafoutis

1 very large onion OR

2-3 leeks, white and light green parts only

2-3 slices bacon (we use high-quality pepper bacon)

Freshly-ground nutmeg

 

1-2 T. butter

6 large eggs (I ended up using 7 since we’re overloaded with eggs and it was fine)

1 C. milk

2/3 C. all purpose or whole wheat pastry flour

Pinch salt

Pepper to taste

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and butter a 10.5 inch ceramic baking dish or pie plate (we use an oval ceramic dish and it works great).  Dice the onion. If using leeks, clean thoroughly and cut into half moons

Cut the bacon pieces into matchsticks width-wise (lardons).  Cook bacon in a medium to large skillet over medium high heat until the fat renders and the bacon is a little crispy. Add the onion/leeks and lots of freshly-grated nutmeg. Cook until very tender (10-12 minutes probably) then put the mixture in the bottom of your baking dish. Melt butter and set aside. Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until it is frothy. Slowly add the milk, flour, salt, pepper (if not using pepper bacon), yet more freshly-grated nutmeg and melted butter. Make sure it is well mixed.  Pour batter over the onions/leeks. Bake until the clafoutis is set (puffed and golden), about 30-35 minutes.  Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving. Delicious warm or cold.

Creamed Swiss Chard with Bacon

Creamed Swiss Chard with Bacon

1 large bunch mixed white and yellow swiss chard

2 slices thick cut bacon, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 T. butter

2 T. flour

1 c. whole milk

Salt, pepper, nutmeg

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cut the center stems from the swiss chard leaves, and slice into 1/4-1/2 inch pieces.  Coarsely chop leaves. Add stems to boiling water and boil for 7 minutes.  Add leaves and boil for an addition 4-5 minutes.  Drain chard, pressing with the back of a spoon to expel as much liquid as possible. Transfer to cutting board and chop into bite size or smaller pieces.  Return emptied pot to the stove and adjust heat to medium high.  Add bacon and saute until almost crisp.  Add garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes.  Add chopped chard and stir to evenly mix.  Remove from heat. Make Béchamel:  In a small saucepan, melt butter and add flour.  Mix with a fork break up any chunks and blend until smooth.  Once mixture starts bubbling, cook for 2 minutes, then add milk, whisking until smooth.  Cook until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.  Remove from heat.  Drizzle enough béchamel sauce over the chard mixture so that it is well coated, but not so much that the chard is swimming in sauce.  Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste, and enjoy!

Broiled Haddock with Bacon-Fried Greens

Broiled Haddock with Bacon-Fried Greens

1 T. EVOO

4 sliced Applewood Smoked Bacon, chopped

1 Red Onion, chopped

3 T. Red Wine Vinegar

6 C. Swiss Chard, coarsely chopped

Salt and Pepper

1/2 tsp. grated Nutmeg

5 T. Butter, softened

2 1/4 2 1/2 lb. Haddock Fillets, cut in 4 portions

Juice of 1/2 Lemon

1/4 C. Mayonnaise

10 Chive Blades, snipped or chopped

 

Preheat broiler and preheat skillet over medium high heat. To skillet add evoo and bacon. Render bacon for 3 minutes then add onion and cook together with bacon for another 3 to 4 minutes. Deglaze the pan with vinegar. Add greens in bunches, wilting into the pan. Season greens with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Reduce heat to medium low and let the greens cook for 10 minutes, tossing occasionally with tongs.  Grease a shallow broiler pan with 1 T. butter. Set fish into pan, white fleshy side up. Dress fish with lemon juice and some salt. Mix remaining butte with mayonnaise. Broil fish for 3 to 4 minutes, about 3 to 4 inches from the heat, then remove from oven and slather with the mayo-butter mixture. If pan looks dry, add a splash of water, then return to the oven. Broil for 5 minutes more, or until tops are bubbly and evenly browned. Top cooked fish with chives and transfer to dinner plates. Serve with greens on side.

Bacon-Cheddar Toasts

Bacon-Cheddar Toasts

Bacon-Cheddar Toasts1 C. Mayo
2 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 C. (4oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 chopped onion
3/4 C. slivered almonds, chopped
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (and maybe one or five extra to eat while cooking…)
1 loaf of French bread

Combine mayo and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl. Stir in cheese, onion, almonds and bacon. Cut bread into 1/2 inch slices; spread with cheese mixture. Cut slices in half. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes or until bubbly. Makes 4 dozen.

Bacon Baked Cabbage

Bacon Baked Cabbage

1 head cabbage

1 onion

Black pepper

Chicken stock or powder/cube/ stock or water

Diced bacon

1 T. butter or margarine

 

Slice cabbage not too thick. Slice or dice onion. Pour chicken stock or powder/cube/ stock mixed with water or plain water into a baking dish a couple of centimeters deep. Layer cabbage, onion, and bacon. Season with black pepper to taste. Dot with butter. Cover with lid or aluminum foil, bake in oven approx 30-40 minutes on 325 degrees or can be cooked in microwave. Check half way through cooking, stir.

Bacon Puff Pancakes

Bacon Puff Pancakes

2 eggs

3/4 C. milk

2 1/3 C. Bisquick baking mix

2 T. sugar

1/4 C. vegetable oil or shortening, melted

8 slices Bacon, cooked, crumbled

 

Beat eggs in small bowl on high speed until thick and lemon colored, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour scant 1/4 C. batter onto medium-hot ungreased griddle. Cook until pancakes are dry around edges. Turn; cook other sides until golden brown.

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Bacon and Potato Cakes

Bacon and Potato Cakes

1 C. cooked mashed potatoes (mashed without butter or milk)

5 strips bacon – cooked crispy and crumbled

2 T. of bacon drippings (to coat the skillet)

1 large egg – beaten

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

1/4 C. all-purpose flour

 

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, egg, salt, pepper, flour, and bacon and stir gently until the dough holds together.  Coat the bottom of the skillet with bacon drippings and preheat over a medium heat. Using a 1/4 C. measure, drop the dough onto the hot skillet and fry the scones for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve while still warm.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Bacon Makes it Better Corn Chowder with Tomato and Ricotta Salata Salad

Bacon Makes it Better Corn Chowder with Tomato and Ricotta Salata Salad

1 quart chicken stock

4 ears of fresh corn

5 T. EVOO

6 slices bacon, chopped

2 T. unsalted butter

1 large yellow onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves

1 T. fresh thyme leaves, chopped

1 bay leaf

3 dashes hot sauce

salt and freshly ground pepper

1 rounded T. dijon mustard

20 fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped

2 T. AP flour

1 C. heavy cream

1/2 small red onion

1 pint grape tomatoes

1 seedless cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, then thinly sliced into half-moons

1/4 C. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

6 oz. ricotta salata, crumbled

Crumbled Cooked Bacon

Oyster crackers

Crusty bread

 

Place the chicken stock n a large pot over high heat; bring it to a boil while you prepare the corn. Cut the corn kernels from the cobs. Add the cobs to the stock and simmer for 8-10 minutes, to get every little bit of corn flavor in your chowder. (Cut cobs in pieces if necessary to submerge them entirely.) Preheat a soup pot over medium-hgh heat with 2 T. of EVOO. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the crispy bacon from the pot with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with a paper towel and reserve. Return the pot to the heat and add the butter. Once the butter melts add the yellow onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes, or until the onions are starting to brown. While the onions cook, in a small bowl, combine the dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the remaining 3 T. of EVOO, then stir in the basil and reserve. Add the reserved corn kernels to the onions in the soup pot and cook for 2 minutes. Dust the onions and corn kernels with the flour and cook for 1 minute more. Remove and discard the simmered cobs from the boiling stock. Whisk the hot stock into the onions and corn several ladlefuls at a time until incorporated. Add the cream, bring to a simmer, and cook for 8-10 minutes. While the soup is cooking, in a large bowl combine the red onions, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, and crumbled ricotta salata cheese. Pour the reserved dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Season the salad with salt and pepper. Server the soup garnished with lots of crispy bacon pieces and oyster crackers. Serve the tomato ricotta salad with some crusty bread alongside.

.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

 

Candied Bacon

Candied Bacon

1/2 C. firmly packed brown sugar

2 T. prepared mustard

1 lb. thick-cut pork bacon

 

In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, slowly cook bacon until crisp (you’ll probably have to do this in batches); drain the fat each time. Remove from pan and place cooked bacon onto paper towels. After draining fat for the last time, reduce heat to low and put all the bacon back into frying pan. Drizzle sugar and mustard mixture over bacon, tossing with a fork to coat. Remove from heat and transfer onto a serving platter.

 

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BLT Pasta Bake: Bacon, Leeks, and Tomatoes

BLT Pasta Bake: Bacon, Leeks, and Tomatoes

Coarse salt

1 lb elbow macaroni

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

8 slices bacon, coarsely chopped

2 large leeks, trimmed of roots and dark green tops

coarse black pepper

3 T. unsalted butter

3 T. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. paprika

3 C. whole milk

1 C. chicken stock or broth

3 1/2 C. grated gruyere cheese

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 pint cherry tomatoes

3/4 C. plain breadcrumbs

 

Place a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. When the water reaches a boil, add some salt and the pasta, and cook until al dente. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and chopped bacon and cook until crisp. While bacon is cooking, split the trimmed leeks in half lengthwise, lay the leeks cut side down and thinly slice into half-moons. Fill a large bowl with water and mix the leeks into the water. Allow the water to settle and the dirt and the grit to settle to the bottle of the bowl. Using your hands, draw the leeks from the water, taking care not to unsettle the dirt. Drain the cleaned leeks on a kitchen towel, pat dry and, and then add to the pan with the bacon. Season the leeks with salt and pepper. Cook until leeks are tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. To start the cheese sauce, heat a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add the butter and melt, then add the flour, cayenne, and paprika and whisk together over the heat until the roux bubbles; cook for 1 minute more. Whisk in the milk and stock and raise the heat a little. Bring the sauce to a quick boil and simmer to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in 3 C. of the grated cheese and the mustard. Set aside. Add the cherry tomatoes to the leeks and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and reserve. Preheat the broiler. Drain the pasta and add it back to the pasta pot. Combine the reserved leek mixture and the cheese sauce with the pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the pasta to a baking dish. Combine the remaining ½ C. of grated cheese with the bread crumbs. Top the pasta with the mixture. Place the dish under the broiler until the cheese melts and the bread crumbs are brown.

 

 

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Bacon-Mushroom Bread

Bacon-Mushroom Bread

1/2 C. chopped fresh mushrooms

1 garlic clove, minced

2 T. butter

1 egg

1 C. milk

1 3/4 C. all-purpose flour

2 T. snipped parsley

2 T. grated parmesan cheese

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. instant minced onion

1/2 tsp. salt

4 slices bacon, cooked crisply and crumbled

Melted butter; additional cheese and parsley, optional

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 1-quart round casserole. Cook and stir the mushrooms and garlic in 2 T. butter over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Beat egg slightly in a large bowl with fork; stir in mushrooms and remaining ingredients–milk, flour, parsley, cheese, baking powder, onion, salt and bacon–with the exception of melted butter. Stir just until flour is moistened; do not beat. Spread in casserole; brush lightly with melted butter; sprinkle with additional cheese and parsley, if desired. Bake until crust is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Immediately remove from casserole; serve warm.

 

 

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Spinach Steak Pinwheels

Spinach Steak Pinwheels

1-1/2 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak

8 bacon strips, cooked and drained

1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

 

Make diagonal cuts in steak at 1-in. intervals to within 1/2 in. of bottom of meat. Repeat cuts in opposite direction. Pound to 1/2 in. thickness. Place bacon down the center of the meat. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, Parmesan cheese, salt and cayenne; spoon over bacon. Roll up and secure with toothpicks. Cut into six slices. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 6 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a meat thermometer should read 145°; medium, 160°; well-done, 170°). Discard toothpicks. Yield: 6 servings.

 

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Knockwurst with Sauerkraut Dinner

Knockwurst with Sauerkraut Dinner

 

1/3 C. chopped onion

2 slices cooked bacon, cut up

1 C. beer

1 C. water

2 T. cornstarch

2 T. coarse-grain brown mustard

2 T. molasses

2 tsp. caraway seed

1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 large rutabaga, peeled & cut into 1″ cubes

1 pound fully cooked knockwurst, bias-sliced into 2- to 2-1/2-inch pieces

2 medium cooking apples, cored and cut into 8 wedges each

1 16-ounce can sauerkraut, drained and rinsed

 

In a Dutch oven or large pot cook onion and bacon until onion is tender but not brown; drain fat. Stir in beer. In a 2-C. glass measure combine the water, cornstarch, brown mustard, molasses, caraway seed, allspice, and pepper; stir into bacon mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add rutabaga; cover and cook 15 minutes. Stir in the knockwurst, apple wedges, and sauerkraut. Cook, covered, 15 to 20 minutes more or until apples are tender.

 

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Toscana Soup

Toscana Soup

olive-garden33 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

3 Italian sausage links

1/2 onion, diced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

5 C. of chicken stock

2 russet potato, peeled and diced into bite sized chunks

2 C. of kale or green Swiss chard, chopped

2 C. of 2% milk

Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Pinch of crushed red pepper (more if you want it spicy)

 

Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Once it’s finished place on a paper towel. Crumble then set aside for later. Remove the turkey Italian sausage from the casing and put in the Dutch oven along with the diced onion. I made sure to really mix my Italian sausage so it was crumbles. Sauté until the onion is soft and the sausage is cooked, add the garlic, stirring frequently for 45 seconds. Add the chicken stock, milk, potatoes and kale along with the crushed red pepper, sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.  Cook on medium low for 60 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and tender. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with crumbled bacon. Enjoy!

 

 

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Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Cheddar and Almonds

Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Cheddar and Almonds

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 C. sharp cheddar, grated

1/4 C. toasted almonds, chopped

2 green onions, sliced

4-6 slices turkey bacon

1 T. olive oil

2 T. butter

2 T. flour

1 1/4 C. skim milk

2 T. grain mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Pound chicken breasts thin between plastic wrap. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Cover the breasts with cheese, onions and nuts in equal amounts. Roll each one up and wrap each roll with a piece (or 2) of turkey bacon. Secure with toothpicks.   Preheat oven to 375. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on all sides for a total of 5-6 minutes. Place chicken on small baking sheet in oven and cook for 10 minutes more. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Stir in milk slowly and whisk until smooth. Next stir in mustard and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to warm until chicken is ready. Remove toothpicks from chicken and cut in half. Pour sauce over chicken.

 

 

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Picnic Bean Casserole

Picnic Bean Casserole

2 cans (15 oz. each) pork and beans

1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans rinsed and drained

1 can (15 oz.) lima or butter beans, rinsed and drained

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 C. packed brown sugar

1/2 C. ketchup

4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

 

In a large bowl combine the beans, onion, brown sugar and ketchup. Transfer to a greased 2 1/2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with bacon. Cover and bake at 350 F for 1 hour. Uncover; bake 30 minutes longer.

 

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Candied Bacon wrapped Stuffed Pork

Candied Bacon wrapped Stuffed Pork

1/4 C. butter or margarine

8-oz. mushrooms, sliced

1 finely chopped small onion

1/4 C. chopped pecans or almonds

1/2 crushed seasoned croutons or bread crumbs

2 pork tenderloins, trimmed

Salt and pepper

8 thick slices lean bacon

1/2 C. brown sugar

1 to 2 tsp. coarsely cracked black pepper

 

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add mushrooms and onions and sauté until tender. Stir in nuts and bread crumbs and remove from heat. Place the tenderloins between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and beat with meat mallet or roll with rolling pin until flattened to 1/4-inch thickness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread mushroom mixture evenly on one side of each tenderloin, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll up jellyroll fashion, starting with one long end.  Wrap 4 bacon slices around each tenderloin, and secure with wooden picks.  Place, seam sides down, on a lightly greased rack in a roasting pan. Rub generously and evenly with sugar and cracked pepper. Bake in 450-degree oven for 15 minutes, uncovered. Reduce temperature to 400-degrees and bake for 15 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 160-degrees.

 

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Bucatini Amatriciana With Bacon

Bucatini Amatriciana With Bacon

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 pound smoked bacon, sliced thin and diced small

4 cloves garlic, minced (1 heaping tablespoon)

1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup premium canned tomato sauce

1 cup premium crushed tomatoes

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound bucatini

4-ounce chunk percorino cheese for grating

 

Place eight quarts of water in a large pot, add the salt, and set over high heat. While the water heats, in a separate 12-inch sauté pan, cook the bacon over medium heat just until the fat is rendered and the bacon pieces are beginning to crisp. Don’t overcook them. While the bacon cooks, line a platter with paper towels. Remove the bacon from the pan and place on the prepared plate to drain. Pour out most of the bacon fat, reserving two tablespoons, which go back into the sauté pan. Add the onions to the pan. Sauté until brown, for five to six minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté just until the garlic is lightly browned and aromatic, two minutes or less. Pour in the tomato sauce and the crushed tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low, season with oregano, salt, and pepper and let simmer until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld, 15 to 20 minutes. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta. Break the bucatini in half and place in the boiling water. Cook according to the package directions, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of pasta water. Put the pasta back in the pot and pour the sauce over the pasta. Toss to combine, and add a little of the reserved pasta water if the pasta isn’t saucy enough. Divide the pasta among four to six warmed pasta bowls. Top with freshly grated pecorino cheese and serve immediately.

 

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Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic

Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic

  • 19772a9f40728cf2c1c43313efeaea6f6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large head cabbage, cored and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika

Place the bacon in a large stockpot and cook over medium-high heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Add the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion caramelizes; about 10 minutes. Immediately stir in the cabbage and continue to cook and stir another 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes more.