Bacon Party - Farmer John

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Bacon Party - Farmer John

When life gives you bacon, you better bacon. I had a lot of fun hosting a casual bacon party at home the other day. I've received 7 pounds of bacon from Farmer John's, but don't worry, there's more bacon to go around for more bacon parties.

Today, I will share with you 2 recipes that were made during the bacon party.

Carbonara

Recipe

  • 1 pound of thick spaghetti - (approx 1 box)
  • 1 pound of Farmer John classic bacon (approx one package)
  • 4 large cloves of garlic finely minced
  • 2 whole bulbs of shallot minced
  • 1/2 cup of fresh Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
  • salt and pepper
  • 4 eggs - I used Happy Eggs.

Start a pot of salted water to cook the spaghetti. While that is getting ready, mince up your garlic, then slice up your bacon. The bacon is cooked until crispy and golden. Once your bacon is ready, remove them from the pan onto a paper towel to drain out the excess fat.

The bacon fat is poured into a mason jar to cool leaving 3 tablespoons or so of bacon fat behind to cook up the garlic and shallot. Once the spaghetti is ready (about 10 minutes) drain out the water and pour the spaghetti into the butter, garlic and shallot mixture. The bacon bits are added back into the party with the stove off. Next, you whisk the 4 eggs with the cheese, and you gently fold the spaghetti and egg mixture until combined. I seasoned with salt and lots of freshly cracked black pepper.

Garnish with parsley and more Parmesan cheese. Grab a huge platter and make mini portions for simple serving. Just like that, done.

Mini Potato Gratin

Recipe

  • 2 Russet potatoes - washed, scrubbed, sliced thin
  • Heavy cream
  • 1/2 pound of bacon
  • White cheddar
  • Bread crumbs
  • butter
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • salt and pepper
  • green onions for garnish

I grabbed a muffin tin to make 12 rounds. These will pretty much feed 6 people. But can realistically feed 3 if these were served as a meal with steak or chicken.

The potatoes are layered with a little bit of garlic, salt and pepper. Once it reaches to the top, cream is added (about 2 tablespoons each). Bread crumbs are added, topped with a little butter, then the cheese. These went in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes. I took the tray out to sprinkle on some cooked bacon I baked earlier. This is placed back into the oven for another 10 minutes. Let the potatoes cool for about 10 minutes before taking them out to serve. Top them with green onions for color, then serve your guests.

Stay tuned for more bacon inspired dishes. Coming up will be a bacon breakfast party. Can't wait for that right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Salmon Steak

I've totally changed the way I cook salmon. I know a lot of us like to cook a simple filet due to time restraints. Fish, for example, cooks extremely fast. But, it can also overcook just as fast. I've been super obsessed with poached salmon just because of how tender and moist it comes out. And besides, my body needs a break from all the burgers and tacos that I eat from time to time.

Salmon: I had a piece of salmon about 1 1⁄4 inches thick seasoned with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Since I was just testing, I didn't make any marinades or special seasonings. I had my Breville (one of the best appliances to own) preheating at 270 degrees F. The salmon was baked for 25-30 minutes. Which gives me enough time to prep some sides.

Asparagus: trimmed from the ends. The sides didn't need shaving since the asparagus were still fresh with moisture in the skins. I cooked the asparagus in a screaming hot pan with no oil. This causes the asparagus to blister, which gives it a smokey flavor I love. Kosher salt is applied lightly once you see moisture releasing from the asparagus. Towards the end, I drizzle a little olive oil to coat before removing to serve.

Butternut Squash: Cubed and roasted for 45 minutes in a 400 degree F oven. I oil the squash halfway through the process with salt and pepper. I don't know why I do it this way, but I do. I think it's because I want all the moisture to release before coating them with proper seasonings. They come out great every time.

Everything came together beautifully. The salmon was extremely moist and tender. Everything was just exciting to eat on the plate. Healthy and delicious. Pretty to look at. I'm sure this will be a winner even though it's simple. Sometimes, the simple things are the hardest to perfect. Instead of high and dry, I recommend you try to cook your salmon low and slow.

Enjoy.

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Game Day Nachos

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Game Day Nachos

Or is it Nachos everyday? I love nachos. There's something so satisfying, laying around, having a few drinks with friends and munching on snacks. It's honestly one of my favorite things to look forward to when hosting a sports party. Well, that and drinking of course. Actually, really of course.

I love game day food. From pungent buffalo wings to a big bowl of guacamole. Don't forget the dried nuts, pizza and the occasional fried chicken. Basically, anything could go down. But kick that 7 layer dip aside and serve up some beast looking nachos because that's what everyone wants.

Grab a big plate. Have some canned corn and black beans drained and rinsed slightly. Grab a jar of ready made queso (even better with green chile if available). Cook some marinated chicken or just season a few chicken breast yourself. Fresh fried tortillas were used.

Layer the chips, with some cheese, with some corn and black beans, with some chicken. Do it again and continue to create layers. Before you know it, you created a masterpiece. Slice up some jalapenos and cilantro leaves for garnish. Put a few spoonfuls of sour cream, guacamole and salsa. Basically, you can make this however you want with as much toppings as you can load.

The bigger the plate, the bigger the party. Who's ready?

 

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Italian Sausage Scramble

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Italian Sausage Scramble

It's been one of those re-purpose breakfast mornings where I don't want to go anywhere in particular, and I also don't want to shop for additional ingredients. So why not just work with what I have already. Actually I take everything back. I always try to re-purpose everything that I have so nothing goes to waste. I decided to make a quick brunch before heading out with these ingredients:

Recipe:

  • 2 Italian sausage links - These were frozen. I ran it under the water quickly so I could remove the casing. The links were still frozen, but I was still able to chop them into little pieces with some extra muscle.
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 roasted red pepper- from the jar. these were sliced into strips.
  • 4 eggs - I always use "Happy Eggs"
  • salt and pepper
  • red chili flakes
  • cilantro
  • garnish condiments: sour cream, roasted anaheim pepper salsa, pico de gallo
  • Left over wheat bread - toasted.

The sausage was cooked till charred bits were forming around the pork. Garlic and red chili flakes is then added and cooked out for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before the red bell peppers were added. This mixture is then cooked out for another minute.

The eggs are whisked and seasoned with salt and pepper before pouring on top of the sausage mixture. When the eggs are slowly coming together, toss in some ripped cilantro, about 2 tablespoons.

Lay out your toasted bread and top your scramble on top. Put a dollop of sour cream, and heapfulls of your salsa. Enjoy with a nice cup of Joe, and save the dishes for later.

Easy, hearty, beautiful and delicious. Make this for your family and friends in no time, no stress. Feel free to use other sausages or leave out condiments you don't have. It's always nice to have special items in your fridge or pantry like roasted peppers.

When you buy groceries, I recommend you taking a quick peek of what you have at home. You will be more inspired and creative when you are at the market that way.

Enjoy!

 

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Molten Lava Cake

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Molten Lava Cake

You know... I could never call this a molten lava cake anymore after watching the movie "Chef" without swearing. It just doesn't feel like a molten lava cake without saying "IT'S F*CKING MOLTEN!". Because it is f*cking molten. And I am going to tell you how to do it. But beware. This recipe is so easy you will never need to buy another frozen chocolate cake, ever.

It's...

This recipe serves 2 people, in proportion, but, you can always eat the whole thing yourself with just one larger ramekin (I don't judge). First things first. Get your shit together then preheat your oven to 400.

Recipe:

  • 3oz of dark chocolate or semi-sweet
  • 1.5 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 1.5 tablespoons of sugar if using semi-sweet
    • 2 tablespoons of sugar if using dark chocolate
  • A dip-pinch of kosher salt
  • A quarter teaspoon of vanilla bean (you can do without if none available)
  • 1 egg (I used Happy Eggs because their chickens are awesome, happy, and free range).
  • 2 Tablespoons of flour
  • Powder sugar (garnish-optional)

Directions

Place your chocolate of choice in a bowl and slowly temper the chocolate in the microwave until your chips are melted (or you can always slowly head your butter and chocolate TOGETHER over the stove). When your chocolate is melted, throw in the butter and mix together until melted. I whisked the egg and poured that in along with the sugar, salt and vanilla extract.

Once everything is combined, mix in your 2 tablespoons of flour.

Butter up 2 ramekins with a light dust of flour if you would like to remove the cake from your dish to plate. Otherwise, feel free to skip this step.

Let it bake for exactly 9 minutes for molten. I would not let it go longer than 10 minutes. Every oven is different. I am using the Breville Pro Convection Oven and 9 minutes work beautifully.

Let it cool for just a tad if you are planning on plating your cake. Dust with powdered sugar. Optional to add fruit or ice cream. Or whipped cream. Caramel. nuts. Devour.

... F*cking

Edges. Slightly crispy. Delicious. Non Nom Nom Nom x's Infinity.

Inside...

MOLTEN!

Molten. Chocolaty. Rich and Decadent at best. The part I died about was the specs of salt that I would taste. There's nothing I more I love than having salty sweets. Serve this for your date and swoon the person with that one bite. Or for yourself if you are lonely. I can eat 2 of these myself. Just saying it's okay to be alone.. But really, these are fantastic and fabulous with some hot tea, milk, or coffee.

Let me know how it goes. GET F*CKING MOLTEN.

 

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