BLT Pasta

BLT Pasta

                                                                  Ingredients

1 (12oz) package of fettuccini

5 strips of bacon

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1/3 cup sliced sun dried tomatoes

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cups arugula or baby spinach

parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Directions

Heat water to a boil for pasta, salt water and cook pasta to al dente. Put aside 1 cup pasta water and drain pasta.

Cut bacon into half inch strips and cook over medium heat until crisp. Drain grease; add garlic and sundried tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add oil and remove from heat. Start by adding ½ cup reserved pasta water. Keep adding water till you reach desired consistency. Stir in pasta. Add arugula and sprinkle with parmesan cheese

Optional- Add arugula with pasta and stir together. 

Maple Bacon Corn Muffins

I love these muffins. They not only taste great but they make the kitchen smell AMAZING. If you don't want to make the corn muffins you can just go buy a box of cornbread mix. My feelings won't be hurt, I promise. 

Maple Bacon Corn Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1/4 cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup canola oil

1/3 cup  maple syrup

 

1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

In a bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, beat the eggs. Add cream, oil, maple syrup and bacon; beat well. stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Pour into a greased muffin tin (or use paper muffin cups).

Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm.

Makin' Bacon

Welcome to Bacon Weekend!!!

I just went to the store and bought more bacon than should be allowed. I mean seriously what is one person going to do with 4 pounds of bacon? ...eat it of course. I wanted to start off with a quick "how to cook bacon in the oven". I'm not sure many of your are aware of what you are missing. Oven bacon is like the King of all the bacon. Just try it once and you will never go back to cooking it on the stove top or *cringe* the microwave.

Oven Bacon

• Cover a large cookie sheet with foil and place a wire rack on to top (I use cookie racks) 
• Place the raw bacon in a row the wire racks
• Turn oven on to 400 and place bacon in the oven ( do NOT preheat)
• Roast in the oven for 20 minutes until bacon is crisp and cooked.
• Remove bacon to paper towel lined plates, pat dry, and use however you want.

BACON in the morning, BACON in the evening, BACON at supper time...

Yup you guessed it, its bacon time!!!! This week I'll be bringing you the food that tempts even the strongest vegans. It is the world's most loved and cherished food, there is even a tribe in South America that worships bacon.* Bacon is by far one of my top favorite foods and after this week it will be yours too. Now without giving away the recipes let me tell you some of what I have planned.

cookies

 a movie theater treat

 ___ wrapped in bacon
bacon & pasta

alcoholic bacon. 

Did I catch your interest yet? I hope everyone enjoys there week. I'll see you in a few days!

*This is not a fact but should be. Bacon = God. Sounds like heaven right? (HAH!) So who's with me?

Apple Bacon Bread Pudding

This is currently in my oven so I will post pictures when its done. So I was thinking this would also be good with sausage. I'll let you know when I try it. 

Apple Bacon Bread Pudding

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and coarsely chopped 

3 tablespoons packed brown sugar

4 cups cubed crusty bread

1 pound bacon, cooked and chopped

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 

2 ½ cups milk

1 teaspoon ground mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

5 eggs

Salt and pepper

Directions

1

Grease 2-quart casserole. In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook apples in butter 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Stir in brown sugar; reduce heat to low. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender. Layer half of the bread, bacon, apples and cheese in casserole. Repeat with remaining bread, bacon, apples and cheese. Mix all remaining ingredients; pour over cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.4Heat oven to 350ºF. Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Baked Apples

Baked Apples

Ingredients

6 baking apples (I used Gala)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup light or dark brown sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

¼ cup apple juice

Directions

Heat oven to 400° F. Remove and discard the cores from the apples. Place the apples in a 9- by-13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the nuts, sugar, and butter. Divide the mixture among the apples. Pour apple juice in bottom of pan. Bake until tender, about 25 minutes. Serve warm

You can also do these in a crock pot. Remove and discard the cores from the apples. Place apples in crock pot. In a small bowl, combine the nuts, sugar, and butter. Divide the mixture among the apples. Pour apple juice in bottom of crock pot. Cook on high for 2 hours.  Serve warm

Apple Salsa

I got this recipe from my friend Amanda. I was skeptical at first but as I sit here with a spoon and a big bowl of salsa (I ran out of chips a long time ago) I am now a believer! 

Apple Salsa

Ingredients

1 red apple

1 green apple

¼ cup cilantro
¼  cup red onion
1 serrano pepper
1 lime
1 tablespoon canola oil. 

Directions

Dice apples and onion. Finely dice serrano pepper. Finely chop cilantro. Mix together. In separate bowl juice lime and whisk in oil, pour over apple mixture and stir together.

Tortilla Chips

Ingredients

whole wheat flour tortillas

Directions

Heat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut tortillas into desired size and bake till brown and crisp 8-10 minutes.