Tag Archives: bacon recipes

Split Pea Soup with Beer and Bacon

Beat the cold with this wonderful split pea soup. This recipe is from Roberta’s in Brooklyn. The cookbook was a wonderful holiday gift to myself. This soup has the perfect combination of tastes and it’s very easy to make. Although Benton’s bacon is recommended, I’ve tried it with other good quality bacon so don’t let this ingredient get in your way of enjoying this delicious soup!

From by the bay, wishing you split pea food memories!

Maryann

Split Pea Soup with Beer & Bacon

Adapted from the Roberta’s Cookbook by Carlo Mirarchi, Brandon Hoy, Chris Parachini and Katherine Wheelock. (Clarkson Potter, Oct 2013)

Serves 6

340 grams (1⅔ cups) green split peas
6 slices (about 240 grams/ 8 ounces) Benton’s bacon, diced
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (12-ounce) can Miller High Life or any lager
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Put the split peas in a strainer and rinse them very thoroughly with cold water. Set a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat and add the bacon. Sweat the bacon slowly until it begins to soften, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the carrot and onion to the pot and cook until they soften and the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the split peas and water to cover (about 2½ cups). Add the beer to the pot along with a couple of pinches of salt and a few grindings of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and let cook on a very gentle simmer for 2 hours, stirring regularly and adding water as needed to keep the peas covered. The consistency should be like a thick puree. If it’s not, continue cooking and stirring. It’s not possible to overcook this soup. When it’s done, check the seasoning and serve.

New Year’s Eve Easy Party Snacks

Here’s a couple of my favorite party recipes , easy to use for New Year’s Eve or any party!

From my the bay wishing you Happy New Year’s Eve memories!

Maryann

Marinated Olives with Orange and Cranberries

Ingredients

1/2 pound green pitted olives, such as manzanilla
1 shallot, minced
1/4 fresh orange cut into 1 inch pieces, with rind
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon rosemary leaves
Directions

Bring 1 cup water to boil in small sauce pan. Remove from heat and add cranberries. Let sit 15 minutes and drain and cool in mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Provolone
24 pieces

Ingredients
24 pitted Medjool dates
12 slices bacon
2 ounces provolone cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the bacon slices in half with a scissor. Cut the provolone cheese into 24 small sticks approximately 1” x 1 ¼”. Place cheese into the date. Wrap date with a ½ slice of bacon and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes and turn the dates over and bake for 15 more minutes until the bacon is crispy. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Variations
You can make these with other sharp cheeses such as Manchego, Parmesan or Soft Gorgonzola.

Pickled Grapes with Rosemary and Chiles

Ingredients

6 cups stemmed mixed red and green seedless grapes (about 2 pounds)
2 cups distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
Leaves from 1 four-inch sprig rosemary
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried red chile flakes

Directions

Pack the grapes into 3 pint-size glass containers with lids. Pour the vinegar and 1 cup water into a saucepan, set it over medium-high heat, and add the salt, sugar, garlic, rosemary, and chile flakes. When the mixture starts to simmer, remove the pan from the heat and divide the hot brine among the pints of grapes. Cover loosely and let cool to room temperature. Cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour before serving. The pickles will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarts

Curried Cashews
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon curry powder
¾ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups raw whole cashews
Additional coarse sea salt to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Heat olive oil in pan add curry powder, salt, cayenne pepper and cook until fragrant – approximately 1 min.
Add cashews and coat nuts for one to two minutes. Remove from heat and place on baking sheet in one layer. Bake for 12-15 minutes, stirring once. Remove from oven, sprinkle with additional sea salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce

Ingredients
3/4 cup organic low sodium ketchup
3 tablespoons grated horseradish
1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon vodka, optional

Directions
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and chill until ready to use. Serve with shrimp, crab or lobster.

Sweet Potato Breakfast Slider

Here is the perfect breakfast treat, a small breakfast slider. These tasty little sweet potato biscuits filled with crispy bacon and fried egg would be the perfect start to any morning. It works as a quick grab and go breakfast or a relaxing start to the day with the morning paper. You’ll love these little sliders……maybe try for New Year morning!

From by the bay, wishing you sweet food memories!

Maryann

Sweet Potato Breakfast Slider

For each slider use one sweet potato biscuit sliced in half ( recipe follows), one fried egg done to your liking, one slice of crisp bacon cut in half. Assemble egg and bacon inside the biscuit . I use the biscuit cutter to make the fried egg the same size as the biscuit.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Makes approximately 12 biscuits

Source: Food Network Magazine, Thanksgiving Issue Volume 4 Number 9 11/2011

3/4 c. cooked mashed sweet potato (about 1 large sweet potato)
1/3 – 1/2 c. whole milk, as needed
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut in to small bits

Preheat oven to 425. Grease baking sheet with butter, oil, or cooking spray. In a small bowl whisk together the sweet potato and milk (less up front, and more if needed). Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter (or a fork if you don’t have a pastry cutter) until the mixture is a crumbly texture or resemble coarse meal. Add the sweet potato mixture and gently fold to combine. Add the remaining milk a little at a time until all of the flour is moistened. The amount of milk you will need will depend on the moisture of the sweet potato. Sprinkle a small handful of flour on a work surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and knead lightly 2-3 times with the palm of your hand until the dough comes together. Pat the dough out into a 1/2-in thick round. Using a 2 1/2-in round biscuit cutter, cut the dough in to biscuits, Gently reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits. Place on to prepared baking sheet and bake 12-14 minutes or until light golden brown and firm to the touch. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Shrimp BLT Roll

I was craving a lobster roll, but that takes money, time and some real commitment. This is the lazy girl’s lobster roll, but without compromising taste! The shrimp are easy to make and if you are even more lazy and sometimes I am , I buy the shrimp already cooked, in which case you are whipping up this shrimp roll in minutes……..held back by how fast you can crisp up those slices of bacon!! The roll has a slight kick from the hot sauce the a fresh tangy taste from the lemon juice. This is a perfect quick summer dinner especially on those hot evenings when you don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen or at the grill!

From by the bay , wishing you some BLT food memories!

Maryann

Shrimp BLT Roll

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 bay leave
1 pound headless large shrimp ( 24 -26 per pound), cleaned and deveined
3 thick slices slab bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
1/2 cup high quality store bought mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 red tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 leaves soft green lettuce, such as boston or butter
4 top loading hot dog buns
2 scallions, ( use white and green parts), finely chopped

Directions

In a stockpot add about 2 quarts water salt and bay leave. Bring to a boil. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Strain removing bay leave and cool shrimp under cold running water to stop from cooking. When shrimp are completely cool chop and place in bowl along with 1/2 of the chopped scallions. In a small bowl add mayonnaise, lemon juice, hot sauce, mustard and pepper. Whisk together and pour over the shrimp. Fold sauce and shrimp together. To assemble sandwich open the bun and add 1 slice lettuce, 1/4 chopped tomato, 1/4 shrimp salad. Repeat for remaining shrimp rolls. Garnish each roll with remaining scallions and chopped crispy bacon. Serve immediately.

Jalapeno Burger

I’m always in search of a better burger , one that is a bit flashy in taste. This jalapeno burger will take you burger making to the next level and then some. I enjoyed this burger using ciabatta buns , so I shaped my burgers in an elongated oval to fit the bun and sit perfectly under the bacon strips. You’ll love the undernotes of heat from the colby cheese and jalapeno mayonnaise. As always, look to use the finest ingredients, getting great quality ground beef and bacon makes all the difference.

From by the bay, wishing you flashy jalapeno food memories!

Maryann

Jalapeno Burger

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck ( each pattie 6 ounces)
4 ciabatta rolls
8 slices bacon
4 slices colby cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons jalapeno rings, coarsely chopped

Directions

In a food processor add mayonnaise and jalapeno. Process until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use. Make 4 patties from the ground beef, shaping into ovals. In a medium sauce pan, fry bacon until crispy, place on paper towel to drain. Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to high. Season one side of patties with salt and pepper; place on grill, seasoned side down. Grill until lightly charred on bottom, about 4 minutes. Season other side, turn, and top with cheese. Grill to desired doneness, about 4 minutes longer for medium. Transfer burgers to dish and let stand for 3 minutes before serving. Meanwhile, toast buns on grill on until the edges start to brown. Remove bottoms of each bun and add cheese to tops to melt. To assemble burger take toasted bottoms, spread jalapeno mayonnaise on each bottom. Add the burger, the bacon and then top with bun with melted cheese. Serve immediately.

Iceberg Lettuce Salad with Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing

It’s interesting to sometimes look back on how your food tastes develop over the year. I grew up eating iceberg lettuce – it was on everything and it was a garnish on many a plate I ate in restaurants. As I grew up and discovered all the other lettuces available, it was easy to toss iceberg lettuce to the side and never touch it again. I recently rediscovered this misunderstood lettuce. There is nothing like a cold crisp iceberg lettuce salad on a warm day topped especially topped with this creamy blue cheese dressing and shards of crumbled bacon tossed on top. I like this buttermilk and greek yogurt dressing, both are low fat so its lighter in calories but not light on flavor. I try to use a good quality blue cheese and bacon for the recipe. I used for my dressing Jasper Hill Farms Bayley Hazen Blue and nice thick Berkshire bacon. If your food journey has taken you away from iceberg lettuce, give it another try!

From by the bay wishing you crisp food memories.

Maryann

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing

Serves 4

Ingredients

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup greek yogurt

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Directions

In a medium size bowl add all dressings ingredients, except the blue cheese and whisk together until smooth. Next fold in the crumbled blue cheese. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serve with lettuce, tomatoes or use as a dressing on cold sliced roast beef or top a grilled hamburger.

Iceberg Lettuce Salad with Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 recipe Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing

1 head medium iceberg lettuce, cut into 4 wedges

4 slices thick bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 tablespoons chives, minced

To assemble the salad place each wedge of iceberg on a plate, top with buttermilk blue cheese dressing. Sprinkle the top of each wedge with crumbled bacon and chives. Serve immediately.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Provolone

Well, we are well into the holidays season and still a few parties to go from now until New Year’s. I thought I would share my all time favorite crowd pleasing appetizer recipe . Variations of this recipe abound but if you have never tried it , you definitely should. It’s easy to make and assemble in advance for a party, which is a plus in book for any party recipe.

From by the bay wishing you happy holiday food memories!

Maryann

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Provolone

24 pieces

Ingredients

24 pitted Medjool dates

12 slices bacon

2 ounces provolone cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the bacon slices in half with a scissor. Cut the provolone cheese into 24 small sticks approximately 1” x 1 ¼”. Place cheese into the date. Wrap date with a ½ slice of bacon and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes and turn the dates over and bake for 15 more minutes until the bacon is crispy. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Variations

You can make these with other sharp cheeses such as Manchego, Parmesan or Soft Gorgonzola.

Fresh Corn with Shrimp and Grits

I got up early the other morning and when straight to the farm stand. I just love this time of year, especially the corn. I found some beautiful ears of butter and sugar corn which is a mix of yellow and white kernels. I wanted the corn to be the star of my dinner that night so I decided to make shrimp and grits. In order to have the delicious corn taste enhance each part of the dish, I shucked the corn to mix into the dish at the end and also make a corn stock that I used to make the sauce for the shrimp as well as to cook the grits. I finished the dish off with some fresh basil from my garden. The results were terrific. Don’t be daunted by the steps, they are all easy and go quickly, so definitely try it out.

From by the bay wishing you butter and sugar food memories!

Maryann

Tip: when shucking the corn, I place a large bowl in the skin and shuck the corn instead the

bowl, with a knife. This makes for an easy clean up afterward.

Fresh Corn with Shrimp and Grits

Serves 6

Ingredients for stock

6 large ears corn, shucked, kernels and cobs separate, keep 1 1/2 cups corn kernels for shrimp

4 cups store bought low sodium chicken stock

1/2 cup white wine

Directions for stock

In a stock pot add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Remove the cobs from the stock and discard. Place remaining stock and corn into food processor and puree. Strain and keep stock to the side. You will have about 3 1/2 cups of stock. If you have less use less stock in the grits and add more water.

Note: This can be done in advance, earlier in the day.

Ingredients for grits

1 cup stone grounded grits

2 cups corn stock

2 cups water

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 pound unsalted butter

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons corn stock or olive oil optional

Directions for grits

In a large sauce pan 4 cups of liquid in total – add stock, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add grits and cook uncovered for about 20 to 25 minutes until liquid is absorbed into the grits, stirring occasionally so grits don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and add the butter and cheese, stirring well. Optional : Right before serving add 2 tablespoons of the corn stock or olive oil to loosen the grits.

Ingredients for shrimp

2 pounds shrimp cleaned and deveined

4 ounces thick cut bacon, chopped into cubes

1 1/2 cups fresh uncooked corn kernels

1 garlic clove minced

2 tablespoons green onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups corn stock

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons basil, chopped

Directions for shrimp

Place a large saute pan on medium heat and add the bacon and cook until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and drain on a paper towel. Set aside. In the same pan saute the shrimp until they turn pink, cooking on both sides. Do not over crowd the pan. Remove the shrimp and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat and add the garlic, green onion and corn. Saute for about 2 minutes until softened, then add the corn stock and lemon juice bring to a boil and add the shrimp and bacon, mix well and remove from the heat. Serve on top of the grits and top with chopped basil.

Enjoying Butternut Squash

As the weather becomes cooler, I can’t help myself from buying various pumpkins, gourds, squashes and indian corn. It’s all part of the autumn ritual. I love the vibrant tones of autumn. I’ll haul myself over to the farm stand and start stocking up so that I can decorate indoors and out. I really can’t help myself and usually need a couple of trips back and forth before I think I have enough color around me. But even more important, is to buy some squashes to cook with . My favorite squash is butternut. I love the texture , color and subtle sweetness. Early in my cooking days, I was hesistant to cook butternut squash, because I found it hard to cut. I decided to cut it in half and just roast it with a little olive oil or butter. It saves alot of work and adds great flavor. The first recipe is my favorite butternut squash soup. It’s easy to prepare and rich in taste. The second recipe is my autumn macaroni and cheese with roasted butternut squash. I like to serve my mac and cheese in small cast iron serving dishes. These smaller side dishes feel a little more grownup for a dish that appeals to the child in us all. I like to get playful with the ingredients of mac and cheese and one of many favorite versions is this butternut squash which is perfect for fall.

From by the bay wishing you the squash filled food memories!
Maryann

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Serves 6

4 slices of bacon

2 butternut squash, halved and seeded

3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 onion, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg

6 cups chicken stock

1 bay leave

Chives, chopped to garnish

Directions

In a skillet cook bacon until crispy. Put aside to cool. Once cool crumble bacon into bits, set aside for later to garnish. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F , on an aluminum lined baking sheet add the butternut squash dotted with 2 tablespoons butter, then season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 45-60 minutes until the squash is tender, depending on the size of the squash. Remove squash from oven and spoon out the pulp from skin. Set aside. In a large soup pot melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter, add onion and sauté until soft about 5 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg and sauté for another minute. Slowly add the chicken broth, bay leaf and roasted butternut squash. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes uncovered. Remove bay leave. Puree in food processor until very smooth. Stir in ½ cup crème fraiche. Serve soup warm. Garnish with crumbled bacon and chives.

Roasted Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Sage Leaves
Serves 4-6

1/2 lb shell pasta

1 small butternut squash, halved and seeded.

1 small onion , sliced thinly

1 tablespoons olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons to fry sage leaves

1 1/2 cups whole milk

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for panko topping

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups shredded parmesan cheese

1 cups shredded fontina cheese

½ cup panko bread crumbs

8 sage leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F , on an aluminum lined baking sheet add the butternut squash and the onions. Drizzle with the olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 45-60 minutes until the squash is tender, depending on the size of the squash. Remove squash and onions from oven. Cool and then scoop the flesh of the squash along with the onions into a food processor to puree. Set aside. Fill a large sauce pan with water and bring to a boil to be used to cook pasta. On medium heat add to a small saute pan the remaining olive oil , when hot add the sage leaves and saute quickly on both sides until crisp. Remove from heat and drain on paper towel, sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside. Place milk into a medium sauce pan and heat until it is about to boil. While the milk is heating, in another sauce pan, heat 3 tablespoons butter until melted. Add the flour and mix until smooth. Cook the mixture for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes a golden color. Slowly add the hot milk to the flour mixture whisking continuously. Bring to a boil and then cook for another 10 minutes continuing to whisk until the sauce begins to thicken. When the sauce is ready it should stick to the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and whisk in the salt, pepper, cayenne and nutmeg. Add the shredded parmesan and fontina cheese to the sauce and stir until the cheese has melted. To the cheese sauce add 1 1/2 cups of the roasted butternut squash puree. Place sauce aside. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook al dente according to package directions and strain through colander. Rinse with cool water. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well. Divide pasta between 4 small 8 ounce cast iron serving dishes. In a sauté pan melt remaining butter and add the breadcrumbs and sauté 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and top each dish of pasta with the bread crumbs. Place dishes onto a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 25 minutes until the sauce starts to bubble. Remove from oven and serve with crispy sage leaves sprinkled on top.

Potato Soup with Small Dumplings

There is nothing better on a blustery cold day then a warm bowl of soup. I have fond memories of my grandmother taking out her dutch oven on such days and making this soup from the staples she always had in her pantry. Her original recipe didn’t include the bacon. I happened to have some bacon leftover in the fridge and decided to use it. You could just as easily not use the bacon and just throw all the ingredients for the soup into the pot and simmer away, making this about as easy as any soup you could make. If you are feeling up for it by all means take the extra steps to fry the bacon and saute your onions and celery, the results were delicious. What really makes this potato soup so magnficent to eat, is not the bacon, it’s the dumplings you simmer into the soup at the end. Again, these are no fail dumplings just stir and drop into the hot soup to simmer into yummy small white balls soaked with the flavor of the soup. It’s the perfect comfort food to warm you from the harsh cold of winter.From by the bay wishing you warm potato food memories!
Maryann

Potato Soup with Small Dumplings

Serves 6

Ingredients for soup

4 ounces thick bacon, chopped

6 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup celery, chopped

1 cup onion, chopped

5 cups water

1 tablespoon fine sea salt

1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

3-4 cloves

optional: chopped parsley for garnish

Ingredients for drop dumplings

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 cup water

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions

In a Dutch oven cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon onto paper towel and set aside. In the bacon fat saute the celery and onion until softened. Add the potatoes, water, salt, pepper and cloves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until vegetables are tender. Remove the cloves out of the soup. With a potato masher, puree most of the vegetables. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick for your preference you can add some water and continue to simmer. To make the dumplings, combine the egg, water, salt and flour mixing until smooth. Drop by teaspoonfuls into the boiling soup. Cover and simmer until the dumplings are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and crisp bacon pieces.

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Tag Archives: bacon recipes

Split Pea Soup with Beer and Bacon

New Year’s Eve Easy Party Snacks

Sweet Potato Breakfast Slider

Shrimp BLT Roll

Jalapeno Burger

Iceberg Lettuce Salad with Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Provolone

Fresh Corn with Shrimp and Grits

Enjoying Butternut Squash

Potato Soup with Small Dumplings