3933. SKILLET CHICKEN with BACON and WHITE WINE SAUCE

Serves: 8


3 slices bacon
½ cup flour
salt and pepper
2 teaspoon herbes de provence
1½ - 2 lbs. chicken thighs with skin
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
½ cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken stock
dried or fresh parsley for topping

BACON: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat a large ovenproof Dutch oven or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the hot bacon grease in the pan (turn down the heat while prepping the chicken).

CHICKEN: Mix the flour with salt and pepper and the herbes de provence. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture and transfer to the hot pan. Pan-fry the chicken for a few minutes on each side, until golden brown (but not cooked through). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on plate.

SHALLOTS: Add the shallots to the pan with the olive oil. Saute for 5-10 minutes, until softened and fragrant and golden brown. Add the wine slowly, stirring to get all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken stock and let everything cook until it reduces slightly, about 5-10 minutes.

BAKE: Add the chicken and bacon back to the pan and bake for 40 minutes, stopping ever 10 or 15 minutes to baste the chicken with the pan sauce. Remove from oven when the chicken skin is crispy and the chicken is fully cooked. Skim the oil off the top of the sauce if you want (see notes) and serve with bread to soak it all up.


bacon recipe source: Lindsay Ostrom, Pinch of Yum (@pinchofyum), February 9, 2015

3900. PORK CHOPS with CORN, BACON and MARSALA

Yield: Serves 4


4 fat boneless pork chops
Salt and freshly ground pepper
24 oz / 700 mL chicken stock or broth
2 ears of corn, kernels sliced off, cobs reserved and cut into 3" lengths
2 small Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into small 1/2" chunks
6 pieces bacon
3 large shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red chili pepper, seeds and veins removed, chopped
4 oz / 118 mL marsala wine
2 tsp chopped fresh sage (optional)
2 oz / 60 mL half and half
Handful parsley, chopped

Remove pork chops from fridge and season with salt and pepper about 30 minutes before cooking.

In a medium saucepan, combine stock, corn cobs, and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer. Check after about 8 minutes to see if potatoes are done. As soon as they are tender, strain broth into a bowl, discarding corn cobs and reserving potatoes in a separate bowl.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon til crisp. Remove from skillet and chop roughly.

Pour most of the fat from the skillet, reserving it in a bowl. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook pork chops, 4-5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Set aside and cover to keep warm.

Wipe out any burnt bits from skillet, and add a drizzle of bacon fat if the pan is too dry. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook shallots, garlic and chili til softened, about 2 minutes. Pour in the marsala, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Increase heat to medium-high again. Pour in stock, then gently stir in sage, corn and potatoes.

Simmer sauce til slightly thickened and reduced, about five minutes. Turn off heat and swirl in half and half. Add a bit more if you like a creamier sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

To serve, pile some corn, bacon and potatoes on the plate along with a generous pour of sauce.  Top with a sprinkle of parsley, then place a pork chop on top with another drizzle of sauce. 


bacon recipe source: Borrowed Salt (@BorrowedSalt), October 12, 2014

3899. SMOKED EEL and BACON PATE

Makes 1¼ cups


2 rashers bacon
1-2 shallots, or the white part of spring onion
100 grams smoked eel
¾ cup ricotta cheese
¼ cup cream

Remove and discard the rind from the bacon, then cook it until crisp. Crumble or chop finely. Peel the shallots. If you are using spring onions, trim and discard any green part. Blend the shallots or spring onion, the eel and the ricotta in a food processor, then pour in the cream and process until thickened. Season well with salt and white pepper. Spread into a pate dish and cover with crumbled bacon.


bacon recipe source: Allyson Grofton, PO Box 18350, Glen Innes, Auckland, New Zealand

3876. BUTTERMILK-LADY PEA SOUP with BACON

makes about 5 cups


4 uncooked bacon slices, coarsely chopped
1 small shallot, minced
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
5 cups cooked lady peas
3/4 to 1 cup reserved cooking liquid from peas
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups buttermilk

Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tsp. drippings in saucepan. Finely chop cooked bacon. Saute shallots and garlic in hot drippings over medium heat 2 minutes or until tender.

Process 3 cups peas and 3/4 cup reserved cooking liquid in a food processor until smooth. Add pureed pea mixture, remaining peas, salt, and pepper to shallot mixture. Stir in buttermilk. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, 8 minutes. (Do not boil.) Stir in up to 1/4 cup cooking liquid, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Spoon soup into 4 bowls, and top with bacon.


bacon recipe source: Cynthia Graubart, Southern Living, August 2015

3875. HOMEMADE RAMEN with BACON and SOFT-BOILED EGGS

Yield: 2 servings


4 slices bacon, chopped
1 (1-inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
3 garlic cloves, sliced
1 tablespoon minced lemongrass
1 tablespoon white miso paste (or more to taste)
Red pepper flakes, to taste (I used about ½ teaspoon)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or to taste)
½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 package dried ramen noodles (discard the included seasoning packet)

Toppings:
2 cups stemmed and chopped baby spinach leaves
1 shallot, very thinly sliced
2 soft-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
Chopped scallions
Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

Place a pot over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Render until crispy. Remove half of the bacon with slotted spoon and set aside (this will be used as a garnish).

To the remaining bacon and drippings, add the ginger, garlic, and lemongrass and sauté for 1 minute. Add the miso paste and red pepper flakes and stir until incorporated. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes and then strain out and discard the aromatics (bacon, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass). Stir in the soy sauce, vinegars, and toasted sesame oil and keep warm until ready to serve.

Make the soft-boiled eggs at this point but do not drain the water when finished. Instead, return the water to a simmer and cook the ramen noodles for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Drain, rinse, and set aside.

To serve, divide the baby spinach, shallot, and the cooked noodles between two bowls. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and top each bowl with the crisped bacon, soft-boiled eggs, scallions, and hot sauce. Serve immediately.


bacon recipe source: Molly, Yes to Yolks (@mollycreilly), August 26, 2014

3870. LOW COUNTRY SHRIMP and GRITS with TABASCO BACON PAN SAUCE

Serves 5



Grits:

2 cups organic yellow grits or any quick grits (not instant)

4 cups fresh chicken broth

4 cups milk

2 cloves garlic, chopped fine

2 shallots, chopped fine

1 tablespoon whole butter

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add butter and sauté shallots and garlic. Add milk and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add grits slowly, using a whisk to incorporate thoroughly. Lower the heat and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until soft and creamy.


Shrimp and Sauce:

20-25 large shrimp, peeled and de-veined

4 slices of apple-smoked bacon, diced

1 bunch green onions, chopped

2 tablespoons black coffee

1/2 cup chicken broth

Juice of one lemon

Tabasco to taste

Salt and pepper

Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and sauté bacon and green onions until bacon is done. Add shrimp and a little butter, if necessary, and cook shrimp (about five minutes). Add coffee and then chicken broth. Add lemon juice, Tabasco, and salt and pepper to taste.


To Serve: Place grits in a bowl. Add shrimp and sauce and top with 1 ounce crumbled goat cheese.


bacon recipe source: D Magazine, 750 N St Paul St, Ste 2100, Dallas, TX 75201

3853. BRAISED RADISHES with SHALLOTS and BACON

Serves 2 to 4 as a side dish


1 tablespoon butter

2 slices bacon, diced

2 large shallots, finely sliced

1 pound radishes, about 2 bunches, tops trimmed and radishes sliced in half

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water 

2/3 cup finely chopped
Italian parsley

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat the butter and bacon over medium-high heat in a wide, heavy skillet — preferably cast iron. Cook for about 5 minutes. When the bacon is cooked through and getting crispy, place the radishes cut-side down in the pan and cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes or until the bottoms begin to brown. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for another minute.

Add the balsamic vinegar and the water — the water should just come up around the sides of the radishes. Cover, lower the heat, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the radishes are tender.

Remove the lid and continue to simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced into a syrupy sauce. Add the the parsley and stir to wilt.

Season with salt and pepper and serve.


bacon recipe source: The Kitchn (@thekitchn), April 2008

3851. SAUTEED SPRING GREENS with BACON and MUSTARD SEEDS

Servings: 4


2 ounces thick-cut bacon, finely diced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
1 hot red chile, seeded and finely chopped
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
1 1/4 pounds mixed young spring greens, such as dandelion, mustard, collards, Tuscan kale and spinach—stems and inner ribs trimmed, leaves cut into ribbons
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon in the olive oil over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the shallot, chile and mustard seeds and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the greens, season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing frequently, until wilted and tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and serve.

Make Ahead: The cooked greens can be refrigerated overnight. 


bacon recipe source: Grace Parisi, Food & Wine, June 2013

3841. BACON and EGG DIP

4 to 6 servings



6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, whites and yolks separated

2 tablespoons real mayonnaise, plus more if needed

2 tablespoons dill pickle relish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon minced shallots

1 tablespoon cider vinegar, plus more if needed

2 teaspoons finely shaved chives

1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup liquid bacon fat (warm slightly if solid)

Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Assorted crudité such as baby carrots, fennel, celery and cherry tomatoes, for serving



Chop the egg whites and yolks separately and put them in separate bowls.



Add the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, shallots, vinegar, chives and dill to the yolks and whisk until smooth. Whisk the bacon fat into the yolk mixture. Loosen with more vinegar or mayonnaise if necessary. Fold in the chopped egg whites and season with salt and pepper.



Serve with assorted crudité for dipping.


bacon recipe source: Geoffrey Zakarian, "Summer Celebration," The Kitchen, Food Network

3832. PAN FRIED MONKFISH with BACON, SWEETCORN and PEAS

Serves: 6


900g skinned, boned monkfish or any other firm white fish, cut into large pieces

Flour for dusting

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 rashers rindless bacon, diced 2cm

4 shallots, thinly sliced

75ml dry white wine

1 cup sweetcorn kernels (you'll need one large cob if using fresh; frozen corn is also fine), blanched in boiling water for 3 minutes

1 cup peas

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

100ml cream

1 tablespoon chopped chives

Put a large frying pan over moderate heat. Dust the fish lightly with flour. Add the oil to the pan and when hot but not smoking, panfry the fish until browned and just cooked through.Remove the fish from the pan and keep warm. Pour the fat from the pan and add the bacon and shallots. Fry gently for about 5 minutes until the shallots are soft.

Add the wine and let it bubble for 30 seconds. Add the corn, peas, zest and cream and bring to the boil. Boil for 3 minutes or until the liquid has reduced a little. Add the lemon juice then taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve over the fish, with everything sprinkled with chives.


bacon recipe source: Ray McVinnie, Cuisine, Stuff.co.nz, October 29, 2015

3825. WARM CHARD SALAD with BACON-CLEMENTINE VINAIGRETTE

Yield: 4


4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 large bunches of swiss chard (about 20 oz.)
4 clementines, juiced
3 clementines, peeled, segmented and cut in half
1/2 tsp. honey
1 1/2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
1/3 c pecans, toasted
Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper

Heat a large skillet on medium-low and add bacon. Cook until browned and crisp, turning once (about 10 minutes). Set aside.

Remove bacon drippings from pan, reserving 2 Tbsp.

Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil to pan and reduce heat to low.

Add shallots to pan and cook, stirring often, until brown and tender (15-20 min).
While shallots cook, cut chard into a chiffonade: remove stems and center vein. Stack leaves on top of one another and roll up like a cigar. Slice the roll in thin strips and place in a large bowl.

When shallots are finished, remove from pan and add to bowl with chard, tossing to combine.

To the hot skillet, add clementine juice and honey and cook, stirring, until reduced by half, about 1 minute.

Add vinegar and reserved bacon fat to skillet, along with salt and pepper to taste. Stir.

Add chard and shallots to the pan and cook until chard is just wilted, about 1 minute.

Return contents of skillet to the bowl. Top with toasted pecans, goat cheese, clementine segments, and additional cracked black pepper.


bacon recipe source: Allison, The Ranger's Daughter

3824. MIXED GREEN SALAD with POMEGRANATE, DATES and BACON

Makes: 6 servings


1/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
5 cups torn escarole
5 cups torn green-leaf lettuce
2 clementines, peeled, halved and sliced
1/3 cup chopped pitted dates
1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
3 strips cooked bacon, crumbled

Combine buttermilk, Parmesan, mayonnaise, vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper in a mini food processor or blender; process until smooth.

Toss escarole and lettuce with the dressing until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving platter and top with clementines, dates, pomegranate seeds and bacon.


bacon recipe source: EatingWell (120 Graham Way, Suite 100, Shelburne, VT 05482), November/December 2014

3823. BACON-CHANTERELLE LAMB ROAST

Servings will vary depending on size of lamb


1 3-4 lb. lamb shoulder roast (with or without bone)
4 slices bacon, roughly chopped
Couple handfuls chanterelle mushrooms, roughly chopped (about 2-3 cups)
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 small shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary
sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

If using a clay pot, fill the sink with warm water and submerge it. Preheat oven to 300°F. Take lamb roast out of the oven to take the chill off of it. Sprinkle liberally with S&P on all sides.

Meanwhile, throw bacon, chanterelles, garlic, shallot, and rosemary into a food processor. Pulse everything together into a paste. Scrape the contents of the bowl into a sauté pan and cook over medium-high heat until fat renders from bacon and the mushroomy bits are softened, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes.

Place lamb in clay pot or roasting pan. Coat with a thick layer of the mushroom-bacon mixture on all sides. Put it in the oven.

I like to check the roast every hour, so I set the timer accordingly, resetting it for another hour as necessary. Check the internal temp with a thermometer, and when it reaches 150°F, take it out and let it rest for 10 minutes to let the juices redistribute throughout the meat. My bone-in roast was pretty small, and so it only took about 2 1/2 hours.

Slice meat thinly, ladle some of the cooking juices over the slices, and serve it up.


bacon recipe source: The Paleo Periodical, November 15, 2012

3818. BUCATINI with BACON, KALE and WINTER SQUASH

Servings: 4


For the fried sage (optional):
1/4 cup (2 fl. oz./60 ml) olive oil
8 to 10 fresh sage leaves


1 butternut, kabocha or calabaza squash, peeled, seeded and sliced into 1-inch (2.5-cm) pieces
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 oz. (375 g) bucatini
3 oz. (90 g) bacon, diced
1 large shallot, sliced into 1/8-inch (3-mm) rings
1 bunch Tuscan kale, stemmed and leaves cut crosswise into 1/4-inch (3-mm) ribbons
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) (2 oz./60 g) unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup (2 fl. oz./60 ml) white wine
2 fresh sage leaves
1 Tbs. heavy cream
2 Tbs. pine nuts, toasted
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for serving

To fry the sage leaves, in a small fry pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Carefully drop the sage leaves, a few at a time, into the oil. They will sizzle and crisp very quickly, in 15 to 30 seconds. Using a fork or small skimmer, transfer the fried sage leaves to a paper towel–lined plate.



On a baking sheet, toss the squash with the olive oil, 2 tsp. salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Spread the squash in a single layer and roast until tender, about 25 minutes.



While the squash is roasting, bring a large pot three-fourths full of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta.



While the pasta is cooking, in a sauté pan large enough to accommodate the pasta and squash later, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the shallot to the pan and cook until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the kale, 1/2 tsp. salt and 2 Tbs. water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale is wilted, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl.



In the same pan, warm the butter until melted. Add the garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and fresh sage leaves to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the liquid is slightly thickened, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the sage leaves from the pan and discard. Stir in the cream and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the squash, bacon, kale mixture and cooked pasta to the pan and toss until well combined, warming the mixture over medium heat if the vegetables are no longer warm.



Transfer the pasta to a serving dish and garnish with the fried sage and pine nuts. Serve immediately, passing the cheese at the table.


bacon recipe source: Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen, Williams-Sonoma (@WilliamsSonoma)

3802. GREEN CURRY and TARO STEM SOUP with BACON

serves four


2 oz. slab bacon, cut into 1⁄4-inch lardons

1⁄4 cup finely chopped cilantro stems and leaves

1 tbsp. prahok (or other Asian fish or shrimp paste)

6 kaffir lime leaves, thinly shredded

4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

3 small shallots, roughly chopped

2 serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped

2 stalks lemongrass, inner cores thinly sliced

1 1⁄2 inches galangal, peeled and thinly sliced

1 tbsp. long-grain white rice

Kosher salt

2 (12-inch-long) taro stems or 4 oz. water spinach or Swiss chard stems, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into 3-inch pieces

1⁄2 cup cooked white rice

1 tbsp. finely grated palm sugar or light brown sugar

1 tbsp. fish sauce

1⁄2 cup 1⁄2-inch cubed white sweet potato

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

4 cups chicken stock

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

Thinly sliced long beans, mung bean sprouts, and thinly shredded basil leaves, for serving

Whole Vietnamese mint and sawtooth herb leaves, to garnish

In a small skillet, heat the bacon over medium and cook, stirring, until browned and crisp and its fat renders, about 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels to cool and discard the fat. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the cilantro with the fish paste, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, shallots, chiles, lemongrass, and galangal and purée into a lightly chunky curry paste.

Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat the uncooked rice over medium and cook, tossing occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 14 minutes. Transfer the rice to a spice grinder, let cool, and then process until finely ground. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the taro stems until tender, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, drain the stems and let cool. Squeeze the stems to drain all their water and transfer to a bowl along with the ground toasted rice, cooked rice, palm sugar, and fish sauce and stir until evenly combined. Add the sweet potato to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 5 minutes; drain.

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium. Scrape the curry paste into the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring, until reduced slightly, about 10 minutes. Transfer soup to a blender and purée until smooth. Pour the soup through a fine sieve back into the saucepan and keep warm.

To serve, divide the rice mixture among 4 serving bowls, mounding it in the center. Ladle the soup around and then top with the bacon, sweet potatoes, long beans, bean sprouts, and basil, and, if using, garnish with the Vietnamese mint and sawtooth herb leaves.

bacon recipe source: Sok Kimsan & Pol Kimsan, Saveur.com (@SAVEURMAG), December 14, 2015

3782. STEAMED MUSSELS in a CREOLE MUSTARD, BACON and COGNAC CREAM SAUCE

Yield: 4 servings

6 ounces bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch dice
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons Creole or other whole grain mustard
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
4 pounds mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded
1/4 cup cognac
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves, plus additional for garnish
Crusty bread, for serving

Set a very large saute pan over medium heat and render the bacon in the pan until crispy, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside on a paper-lined plate to drain. Add the shallots to the pan and saute, stirring often, for 1 minute. Add the garlic to the pan and saute for 30 seconds. Raise the heat to medium-high and deglaze the pan with the white wine. Reduce the wine until nearly evaporated, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mustard, cream, salt and pepper to the pan. Bring the pan to a boil. Add the mussels, cognac and parsley to the pan and stir once, cover with a lid, and cook until the mussels just begin to open, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the lid, stir the mussels, and return the bacon to the pan.

Serve in a very large, deep bowl, with a thick slice of crusty bread and more parsley for garnish.

bacon recipe source: Emeril Lagasse, "Cookin' with Spirits," Emeril Live, Food Network, 2004

3781. BEER-STEAMED MUSSELS with BACON

serves 2 to 4

4 strips of bacon, chopped

1 large shallot, minced (about 1/2 cup)

4 medium cloves of garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)

3 sprigs fresh thyme

3/4 cup Belgian-style ale, or witbier

2 pounds fresh mussels, scrubbed clean and beards removed

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

Crusty bread, for serving

Place the bacon in a large stainless steel skillet set over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Set bacon aside.

Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots soften and the garlic just begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the thyme to the pan and stir in the beer, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. When the beer begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cleaned mussels to the pan in a single layer. Place a lid on the pan and simmer for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, check the mussels. Using a pair of tongs, remove any mussels that have opened and transfer to a large bowl. Cover the pan again and simmer for another 5 minutes, transferring any opened mussels to the large bowl.

When all of the mussels are opened and transferred to the bowl, whisk the Dijon mustard into the sauce in the pan. Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper. Keep in mind that the bacon, as well as the liquor given up by the mussels, are both salty, so not much additional salt may be needed.

Pour the finished sauce over the mussels, then sprinkle on the reserved bacon, as well as the chopped parsley. Serve the mussels with crusty bread and cold beer.

bacon recipe source: Marvin Gapultos (Burnt Lumpia), contributing writer, Serious Eats, October 3, 2012

3778. SCALLOP TARTARE with PICKLED BEETROOT, BACON and APPLE

serves four

For the mayonnaise

3 free-range eggs, yolks only

1 tsp English mustard

½ lemon, juice only or 2 tsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar

300ml/10fl oz light rapeseed oil

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the beetroot

200g/7oz raw beetroot

2 tsp red wine vinegar

pinch salt

3 tsp sherry vinegar

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 tsp chopped thyme

salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 tbsp olive oil

For the scallops

4 rashers smoked streaky bacon

12 scallops, cleaned and corals removed, the scallop meat diced into 5mm/¼in pieces

1 apple, peeled, cored, cut into 5mm/¼in dice

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 tsp finely chopped gherkin

2 tsp finely chopped chives

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

To serve

4 slices sourdough bread

handful rocket leaves

lemon wedges

½ quantity mayonnaise, from above

For the mayonnaise, put the egg yolks, mustard and lemon juice or vinegar into a bowl and whisk together for one minute. Now gradually add the oil, drop by drop to begin with, then in a steady stream, whisking constantly, until the mixture is emulsified and thick.

Alternatively, you can make the mayonnaise in a blender or food processor, blending the egg yolks, mustard and lemon juice or vinegar for one minute and then adding the oil slowly through the funnel with the motor running.

Season the mayonnaise with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. It will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

For the beetroot, place the beetroot in a saucepan, pour on water to cover and add the wine vinegar. Bring to a simmer, add a pinch of salt and cook for 25 minutes.

Leave the beetroot to cool in the water until you are able to handle it, then remove and peel off the skin. Cut the beetroot into 1cm/½in dice, using a sharp knife.

Place in a bowl with the sherry vinegar, shallot, garlic and thyme. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over the olive oil. Mix well and then cover and leave to marinate for at least two hours.

For the scallops, preheat the grill to high.

Lay the bacon on a grill tray and grill on both sides until very crispy. Allow to cool down and then chop the bacon into small pieces.

Put the scallops and apple into a bowl with the shallot, gherkin, bacon and chives. Add two teaspoons of mayonnaise and mix well. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as required.

To serve, toast the bread on both sides and place on four serving plates. Spoon the scallop tartare neatly on top. Spoon some of the marinated beetroot with a little of its dressing alongside. Scatter over the rocket and serve with lemon wedges and mayonnaise in a bowl on the side for guests to help themselves.

bacon recipe source: Nathan Outlaw, Saturday Kitchen, BBC Food

3776. GRILLED OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER with BABY SPINACH BACON FONDUE

serves 4 to 6


18 large oysters shell on, scrubbed, and rinsed

1 cup diced applewood bacon, sliced into lardons

4 minced shallots

4 cloves minced garlic

8 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 cups baby spinach

1/4 cup anise liquor, Sambuca or Pernod

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated parmesan

1/2 cup grated gruyere

2 cups rock salt, for serving only

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Heat 4 tablespoons of butter with shallots, garlic, bacon, and salt in a large saute pan.

Saute until the shallots are translucent and the bacon is crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Add the flour and mix together well to make a roux. Stirring frequently, cook the roux until it smells nutty, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Away from the burner deglaze the roux with the anise liquor, place the pan back on the burner being careful, as the anise liquor will flame up.

Add the heavy cream and stir to incorporate.

Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Stir in the baby spinach, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg, and bring back to a boil.

Once at a boil, immediately reduce to a simmer, about 4 to 6 minutes.

Cook until the spinach has release its liquid, and spinach has softened.

Over medium heat cook the mixture down to a fondue like thickness, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and reserve to the side.

Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saute pan.

Once melted remove from the heat and incorporate the seasoned bread crumbs, reserve to the side.

Turn broiler on.

Take the oysters and place on the pre-heated to high grill, cook the oysters until the shell just “POPS” open, about 3 minutes, remove the oysters from the grill.

Take an oyster knife and pry open the top shell, scraping the oyster knife around the top of the shell to loosen the oyster from the shell. BE CAREFUL.

Once the top shell has been removed discard, with the oyster knife scrape the knife under the bottom of the oyster to remove from the bottom shell, leaving the oyster “on the half shell,” repeat this to the remaining 17 oysters.

Place the rock salt evenly onto a baking tray that fits 18 large oysters.

Evenly place the oysters, shell down, onto the rock salt, making sure to press the oyster shells into the salt.

Evenly spoon the baby spinach bacon fondue on top of the oysters, now take and evenly place the grated cheeses on top of the fondue.

Evenly sprinkle the buttered seasoned bread crumbs on top of the cheese.

Place the baking tray with the oysters into the preheated broiler and cook until the oysters are bubbly and the bread crumbs are toasted , about 4 to 5 minutes.

Remove from the broiler and place onto a cooling rack.

Serve the oysters immediately.

bacon recipe source: Guy Fieri, "Guy's Big Steakhouse," Guy's Big Bite, Season 17, Episode 12

3763. CAVATELLI with BACON, CREAM and SNAP PEAS

1 lb. cavatelli or other tube pasta

3/4 lb snap peas, ends removed and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces

1 garlic clove, minced

1 shallot, minced

2-3 strips thick-cut bacon, cubed

Handful of parsley, minced

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

3/4 cup light or heavy cream

Lots of pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to boil. The pasta should come out of the water just as you're completing assembly of the sauce, so begin browning the bacon about 5 minutes before you add the pasta to the water. (Reserve a little pasta water for thinning the sauce, just in case. You probably won't need it but better safe than sorry.)

Brown the bacon in a large skillet. When the bacon has started to crisp up add the shallots and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Next add the peas; stir to coat them with fat and cook for no more than another 2-3 minutes. The peas should darken and maybe even brown in a few spots but you don't want them to lose their crunch. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds, then the cream.

At this point the pasta should be out of the pot and into a colander.

Allow the cream to reach a simmer, then throw in half the cheese, half the parsley, and all of the pasta. Stir everything together and allow to simmer for a minute or two, or until the sauce is at an ideal consistently. Serve immediately topped with the rest of the parsley and parmesan and a few healthy turns of black pepper.

bacon recipe source: Andrew Bartholomew (@AndrewBart), February 3, 2013