Tag: bacon

Posted on

Andouille Sausage With Cabbage

Andouille sausage with cabbage brings together spicy sausage, bacon and green cabbage team up to make this super-easy one-pan meal!

Andouille Sausage With Cabbage

Andouille Sausage With Cabbage

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

  • 6 slices bacon
  • 4 links fully cooked cajun style andouille sausage
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tbsp)
  • 1 tsp cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 small head green cabbage (1 lb)

Instructions
 

  • Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut bacon into small pieces.  Slice sausage into ½” rounds.
  • Cook bacon and sausage in a skillet over medium heat until the sausage is brown and bacon is crispy, 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently.  Remove from pan, leaving drippings, and set aside.
  • Slice peppers and onion.  Add to pan and cook until peppers are tender and onions are translucent 10-12 minutes.  Stir in garlic, cajun seasoning and black pepper.
  • Coarsely chop cabbage into 1” squares.  Add to the pan with peppers and onions.  Cover and cook for 5 minutes.  If the cabbage does not fit in the pan, cover the pan and allow the cabbage to cook down before adding more cabbage.
  • Add sausage and bacon.  Cover and cook until the cabbage is tender.
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Keyword Andouille Sausage, bacon, cabbage, cajun, Cajun sausage, dinner, fried cabbage, green cabbage, lunch, one pan meal, one pan recipe, spicy, supper

Did you ever wonder about the roots of Cajun culture?  Get the facts here!

Check out this article to learn more about the benefits of eating cabbage!

Posted on

Super Easy Homemade Bacon Jerky

This homemade bacon jerky is a delicious cousin of the candied bacon we have all come to love.  The best part?  The flavor combinations are ENDLESS!

Homemade Bacon Jerky

Homemade Bacon Jerky

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Snack
Servings 1 slice
Calories 203 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb thick sliced bacon
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 200℉.
  • Lay bacon in a single layer on a wire rack.  Place the rack on a rimmed baking sheet, lined with tin foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
  • Mix brown sugar and hot sauce in a small bowl until it forms a paste. 
  • Brush each slice of bacon with the glazing mixture.  Flip the bacon and brush the other side.
  • Cook bacon for 2 hours.  Flip the slices and cook for another 1 to 1.5 hours or until the jerky reaches the desired texture.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.
  • Hack:  Bacon jerky can be made in an air fryer as long as it can be set to 200℉.  Rotate and/or flip bacon every hour.
  • Hack:  While bacon jerky can be cooked at temperatures below 200℉, the resulting product will be lighter in color and not as visually pleasing.
  • Hack:  This recipe is very versatile. It can be made with honey or maple syrup as well as sriracha or crushed red pepper.  Raise or lower the heat by adding more or less (or no) spice.  Or mix it up by flavoring your jerky with black pepper, garlic or molasses.  Let your creativity flow!
  • Hack:  Store jerky in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.  
Keyword air fryer, bacon, dehydrate, dehydrated, dehydrator, easy, football snacks, jerky, party food, snack

Did you know?  The invention of bacon jerky was a delicious accident!

I made this bacon jerky in my Pampered Chef Deluxe Air Fryer!

Posted on

Classic Blue Cheese Wedge Salad

Bacon, blue cheese, tomatoes and iceberg come together to make this classic blue cheese wedge salad practically a meal in itself!

Classic Blue Cheese Wedge Salad
Classic Blue Cheese Wedge Salad

Classic Blue Cheese Wedge Salad

 

1 head iceberg lettuce

1-pint grape tomatoes

½ red onion

½ cup Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

1 cup bacon sprinkles

1 cup blue cheese crumbles

 

Remove stem and outside leaves from the lettuce.  Cut into 4 equal wedges.  Rinse gently under cold water, taking care to keep the wedges intact.  Allow to drain.

Thinly slice the red onion.  Rinse tomatoes and cut them in half.

Place wedges wide side down in a salad bowl or plate.  Drizzle with 2 tbsp blue cheese dressing (thin with a little milk if the dressing is too thick to drizzle), Sprinkle with tomatoes, onion slices and bacon crumbles, allowing them to stick to the sides of the wedge in the salad dressing,  Top with blue cheese crumbles.

Serve immediately.

 

4 servings, 387 calories per serving

 

Hack: Make this a complete meal by adding one or two hard-boiled eggs!

Hack:  Do not assemble salad until ready to eat.  If there are ingredients leftover, wrap them individually and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Hack: To make bacon crumbles, preheat oven to 350℉.  Place a low rack on a sheet pan with sides (so the grease won’t run into the oven).  Lay uncooked bacon slices on top of the rack.  Put in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until crisp and browned.

Drain bacon on paper towels until cool.  Crumble to the desired size.

1 lb bacon will make about 1 cup bacon crumbles


Hack:  Store any leftover bacon grease tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.  It can be used as a substitute for butter in various dishes.  Caution:  Use caution when cooking with bacon grease.  It has a smoke point similar to butter, which is lower than oils.

Posted on

Fast and Easy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Bacon asparagus pasta is a simple dish that’s quick and easy to pull together for a busy weeknight dinner! It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 720 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ ib rotini pasta, uncooked (6 cups)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces (4 oz)
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Place a large pot of water on high heat to boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente, 10-11 minutes. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water, but do not rinse.
  • Heat olive oil in a heavy saute pan over medium heat and add bacon. Cook until bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon from the pan, leaving drippings, and set aside.
  • Add asparagus and onion to the saute pan. Turn heat up to medium-high and saute until the mixture begins to brown. Stir in salt and broth.
  • Turn heat down to medium, cover pan and simmer until asparagus is tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in black pepper.
  • Add balsamic vinegar, pasta and bacon to the saute pan. Continue to cook for 1 minute, or until warmed through. Add pasta water if the mixture seems dry.
  • Toss with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months.
  • Hack:  Separate any remaining uncooked bacon slices and roll them into individual pinwheels.. Place on a cookie sheet in the freezer to freeze bacon slices.  Place in a sealable freezer bag or container. The slices can then be thawed and used in the portions desired.
Keyword asparagus, bacon, easy, easy meal, easy prep, fast and easy, pasta, quick and easy, quick prep, rotini, skillet meal

Did you know?  Traditional “white” pasta has gotten a bad rap lately but there are plenty of healthier alternatives out there, either with carbs or without!

Suggestion:  Leftover bacon?  Make a few of these heavenly bacon-wrapped crackers!

 

Posted on

The Very Best Homemade Scones

I’ve included a few variations on these, the best homemade scones out there. I would love to know:  What’s your favorite scone flavor?

Best Homemade Scones

Best Homemade Scones

(Courtesy: Arty Garland)
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course afternoon tea, Breakfast, Snack
Servings 1 scone
Calories 110 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1¾ cups flour
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cold butter
  • 1 egg
  • 4 - 6 tbsp half-and-half
  • 1 beaten egg for brushing (optional)
  • Coarse sugar (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400℉.
  • Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  • Cut in butter with a fork or pastry blender until the dough resembles fine crumbs.
  • Stir in egg and just enough half-and-half to allow the dough to hold together.
  • Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface or pastry mat and knead lightly 10 times.
  • Place dough on an ungreased baking sheet and pat or roll into 2 circles, each ½“ thick.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut each circle into 8 triangles and separate triangles slightly. If desired, brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
  • Bake until golden brown, 10 - 12 minutes. Remove immediately from the baking pan to a cooling rack.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.
  • Variations:
    - Add 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 4 slices cooked, crumbled bacon and ½ cup minced jalapeno pepper (2-3 peppers) to the dough before kneading.
    - Mix heaping ¼ cup of peanut butter and 1 cup of chocolate chips into the dough before kneading.
    - Gently fold in 1 cup of raspberries into the dough while kneading. Top with Nutella after removing it from the oven.
    - Cut half-and-half to 3 tbsp and mix 5 tbsp (2.5 oz) softened cream cheese. Gently fold in 1½ cups of blueberries while kneading.
    - Glaze: Mix ¼ cup confectioners sugar and 1½ tbsp half-and-half. Drizzle over scones while still warm.
  • Hack: Scones can be stored at room temperature for 3 days or wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months.
Keyword afternoon tea, bacon, biscuits, blueberry, breakfast, brunch, cheese, chocolate chips, cream cheese, hazelnut spread, jalapeno, Nutella, peanut butter, raspberries, raspberry, scone

Did you know?  While the scone is most often associated with British Afternoon Tea, they were originally a Scottish treat.  They officially came to the tea table around 1840, thanks to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford.

Suggestion:  If you love scones, try these lemon barley scones by Lily Rose Kindergarten Cook!

 

Posted on

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Jalapeno Popper Chicken is a spicy, cheesy decadent delight…all wrapped up in bacon!  It’s perfect all by itself…or tucked away in a sub or sandwich wrap!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 1
Calories 556 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp cream cheese (1 oz)
  • 3 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast (6 oz)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 slices bacon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉.
  • Place the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jalapenos in a bowl; stir to combine.
  • Cut a deep pocket into the chicken breast, taking care not to cut all the way through to the other side. Fill the pocket of chicken breast with the cream cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  • Wrap chicken breast tightly with bacon, securing with toothpicks. Place it in a greased baking pan.
  • Cook for 30 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and chicken has an internal temperature of 160℉. You can broil the chicken for 3-4 minutes to further crisp the bacon if needed.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Keyword bacon, baked chicken, chicken, cooking for singles, cream cheese, jalapeno popper, meal for one, single serving meal, spicy

 

Handle chicken with care!  Click here for some tips to avoid foodborne illnesses that can be associated with raw poultry.

For a sweeter take on this same theme, try brown sugar bacon-wrapped chicken!

Posted on

Heavenly Bacon Wrapped Crackers

Bacon wrapped crackers are sprinkled with brown sugar or parmesan cheese, covered in bacon and baked until crunchy. A warning: These are addictive!

Bacon Wrapped Crackers

Bacon Wrapped Crackers

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Snack
Servings 2
Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Keebler Club crackers
  • 4 slices bacon, cut in half
  • 8 tsp brown sugar OR grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250°F.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and put a wire rack on top of parchment paper.
  • Arrange crackers on the rack in a single layer and place one teaspoon brown sugar OR Parmesan cheese on the cracker (or do 4 brown sugar and 4 Parmesan cheese).
  • Carefully wrap ½ slice of bacon lengthwise on the cracker over sugar/Parmesan, tucking ends under cracker.
    Bacon Wrapped Crackers
  • Bake in the oven for 2 hours or until bacon is well done. Serve warm.
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
  • Hack #2: Separate any remaining uncooked bacon slices and roll them into individual pinwheels. Place on a cookie sheet in the freezer to freeze. Place in a sealable freezer bag or container. The frozen slices can then be thawed in the portions desired.
Keyword bacon, bacon crackers, buffet, club crackers, football snacks, hors d'oeuvres, Keebler Crackers, saltine crackers, snack

Have you ever wondered where the phrase  “bringing home the bacon” comes from?  Click here to find out and read some other interesting facts about bacon!

If you find it hard to resist things that are wrapped in bacon, try brown sugar bacon-wrapped chicken or bacon-wrapped hot dogs!

Posted on

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Bacon roasted Brussels sprouts bring together two ingredients that complement each other perfectly in this tasty low-carb recipe!

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 people
Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz frozen baby Brussels sprouts
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 slice bacon, cut into small pieces
  • ¼ cup vegetable broth

Instructions
 

  • Combine Brussels sprouts, onion and bacon in a baking pan. Add ¼ cup vegetable broth. Bake in 350℉ oven to desired tenderness (45-60 minutes), turning ingredients every 15 minutes. If ingredients seem too dry, add more vegetable broth, ¼ cup at a time. Times may vary if using fresh (or larger) Brussels sprouts.
  • Hack: Freeze leftovers in a sealable freezer bag or container for future use.
  • Hack: Separate any remaining uncooked bacon slices and roll into individual pinwheels. Place on a cookie sheet in the freezer to freeze bacon slices. Place in sealable freezer bag or container. The frozen slices can then be used in the portions desired.
Keyword bacon, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts, Brussels sprouts, oven roasted vegetables, side dish, vegetable side dish

Did you know?  Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous collection of vegetables which are associated with lowering the risk of some types of cancer.

If you’re a fan of Brussels sprouts, try my recipe for Brussels sprout Cesar salad!

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram