Posts Tagged ‘bacon’
Bacon, Egg and Avocado Taco
May 19, 2013 | 
Author Today I commence a little project I came up with called Single Serving Sunday, where I will share recipes that serve just one. Being a grad student, living alone and being a food blogger is an interesting mix sometimes when it comes to cooking and baking. I don’t have a very large budget, I prefer to not eat the same thing for an entire week, and yet I like to make things that the general public can relate to on my blog. As a result of this combination, I scale a lot of recipes from their original sources in half when I make and post them on my blog. But sometimes I need a recipe that just serves one, and certainly there are other people out there just like me.
Sometimes I will share recipes that make two servings for those of us that like leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. The plan is to keep these recipes simple for one and occasionally two servings. The biggest challenge is going to be tackling the problem with single servings, which is the inevitability of having leftover ingredients. In those situations I will offer suggestions on what to do with what remains, or offer a post the following Sunday using the leftovers. If any other bloggers feel like joining me in this adventure feel free to do so!
Today’s breakfast taco does have some leftover ingredients, and I can already hear you asking “But what am I supposed to do with the remaining 3/4 avocado and corn tortillas?” For the avocado you could whip up a simple guacamole, or you could make these for breakfast another day. I actually did make these two days in a row because I enjoyed them so much and then used the remaining 1/2 in a pasta dish that I will share next Sunday. As for the corn tortillas, they keep in the fridge for a long time but you could also make baked tortilla chips to go with that guacamole 
. Or have friends over for a taco night dinner!
Do you have any single serving ideas, suggestions or requests? Please share! I may even get a fancy button if this project is a hit.
Two years ago: Penne with Eggplant and Pine Nut Crunch
BACON, EGG AND AVOCADO TACO
Serves 1
Ingredients:
2 slices turkey bacon
1 egg
1/4 avocado, sliced
1 6-inch white corn tortilla, warmed
Directions:
- In a frying pan over medium heat, fry the bacon to desired doneness. Drain on paper towel, and crumble.
- In the same frying pan, fry the egg until the yolk is set. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Assemble the taco by layering egg and avocado slices on the warm tortilla, and top with crumbled bacon. Fold and enjoy!
Source: Adapted slightly from Fitness, January 2013.
Cast Iron Skillet Brussels Sprouts Bacon Pizza
It’s no secret that I am not a fan of summer weather in Memphis. You know, the season that starts in May and ends in October? Don’t be jealous unless you like 90+ temps, excessive humidity, and sweating at 7 am walking to your car. But for a few short weeks every year we get a small dose of spring. Granted it’s already hitting the high 80s some days so it’s not exactly spring weather, but this is the closest thing to spring I get before the inferno begins. During this time I drive everywhere with my car windows down while blasting music and singing at the top of my lungs (right now it’s Paramore’s new album). I freaking love spring and look forward to moving to a place where it lasts more than 2 weeks.
With the coming of heat waves and high electricity bills keeping it out of my 3rd floor apartment, recipes that require short cook times become more and more appealing. This recipes happens to be the fastest way to cook pizza ever. The prep time for making the dough and toppings is not short, but the actual cooking of the pizza is a whopping 2.5 minutes. Since you’ll end up with an extra ball of dough, throw easier toppings onto it and you will have a second pizza in under 5 minutes!
One year ago: Gnocchi with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce
Two years ago: Nutella Mousse
CAST IRON SKILLET BRUSSELS SPROUTS BACON PIZZA
Serves 3-4
Ingredients:
CRUST (NOTE: this recipe makes TWO doughs for a 12-inch skillet pizza)
1-1/8 cups warm water
1 pkg. (2-1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp olive oil
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
PIZZA (NOTE: these ingredients are for ONE pizza)
6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 shallot, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 lb. brussels sprouts, stems removed and thinly sliced
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt
4 oz. provolone cheese, freshly grated
4 oz. fontina cheese, freshly grated
2 Tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine water, yeast, honey and olive oil. Mix with a spoon, then let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add in 2 1/2 cups flour and salt, stirring with a spoon until the dough comes together but it still sticky. Using your hands, form the dough into a ball and work in the additional 1/2 cup flour, kneading it on a floured surface for a few minutes. Drizzle the same bowl with olive oil then place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and place in a warm place to rise for about 1-1/2 hours.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and place it back on the floured surface. Divide the dough evenly in half. Place one dough on a well-floured pizza peel and roll out to about the size of your skillet.
- Heat a different large skillet than the one you are going to cook your pizza in over medium heat and fry bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and add shallot. Cook for 5 minutes until soft, then add garlic, sliced brussels, salt and pepper, stirring well to coat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, tossing occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Place an oven rack directly under your broiler and preheat your broiler to the highest setting. Additionally, place your cast iron skillet on the stovetop burner, turning the heat on high. Heat the skillet for 10 minutes.
- While the skillet is heating, place the toppings on the dough. Add about half of the fontina and provolone cheeses, then cover with the brussels sprouts mixture and the bacon. Top with the remaining fontina, provolone and parmesan.
- Carefully slide the pizza into the skillet, dough side down. After about 30 seconds, turn off the burner, and place right under the broiler. Broil for 1 minute, rotate 180 degrees, broiling for only 1 more minute. Remove immediately and place on the stovetop. Let cool slightly for about 5 minutes, then use a large spatula to remove the pizza. Slice and serve.
Source: How Sweet It Is
Posted in Entree, Pizza | 
Tags: bacon, brussels sprouts, fontina, provolone, shallot, whole wheat | 
6 Comments »
Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos with Avocado Ranch
After the quesadillas I posted earlier this week, I had to make something else with the avocado ranch. Judging from your responses I don’t think you’ll have any complaints about it’s reappearance today. This time you get to dip taquitos in it! I made these for my friend’s house-warming party and they were a huge hit. Guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise since they contain cream cheese, bacon, and ranch. They can do no wrong!
In case another recipe featuring this avocado ranch wasn’t exciting enough, I am also off to NYC for some serious food blogger action tomorrow! I’ll be teaming up with Tara (Chip Chip Hooray), Tracey (Tracey’s Culinary Adventures), Joanne (Eats Well With Others), Lauren (Keep It Sweet Desserts), Kayle (The Cooking Actress), and Jennifer (Bake or Break) starting with brunch and then we are following our bellies from there!
P.S. Kita (Pass the Sushi), Carolyn (All Day I Dream About Food), Audra (The Baker Chick), Miriam (Overtime Cook), Samara (Deconstruct the Girl) – you will be missed!
One year ago: Funfetti-Peanut Butter Layer Pie
Two years ago: Apple Maple Turkey Burgers with Maple-Dijon Sauce
BAKED CHICKEN BACON RANCH TAQUITOS WITH AVOCADO RANCH
Makes 20 taquitos
Ingredients:
TAQUITOS
8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
4 cups cooked, shredded chicken
12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded pepperjack cheese
3 to 4 Tbsp chopped green onion
1 (1 oz.) package dry ranch dressing mix
20 (6-inch) flour tortillas
Sea salt
AVOCADO RANCH
1 ripe medium avocado
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (I used 0% Chobani)
2 Tbsp freshly chopped parsley
2 Tbsp freshly chopped dill
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Mix together cream cheese, chicken, bacon, cheese, and green onions. Add in about 1/2 of the dry ranch dressing mix and taste. Add more for stronger ranch taste. Mix well.
- Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture into a flour tortilla and roll it up. Place taquito seam-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat about 20 times. Once finished, spray the tops of the taquitos with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.
- Place pan in oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until edges and tops are golden. Let cool for a couple of minutes.
- While the taquitos are baking, make the avocado ranch. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until creamy, scraping down the sides occasionally when needed. Taste and season additionally if desired.
Source: Taquitos adapted slightly from Taste and Tell originally from Six Sisters’ Stuff. Avocado Ranch adapted from How Sweet It Is.
Posted in Appetizers & Snacks, Chicken, Entree | Tags: avocado, bacon, chicken, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, pepperjack, ranch | 10 Comments »
Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder
I’m not sure what has changed in my schedule these days, but lately feel as though I have a lot less time than before. Yes, I come into lab late at night sometimes and on weekends for various experiments, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary. Even more strange is that I feel like I spend less time cooking/baking than I used to, and have missed a day or two here and there at the gym (which is so not like me). Where has all the time gone??
With this mysterious change in time, recipes that require less time are even more enticing than usual. Enter this quick and healthy chowder. Chowders are definitely comfort food, and they become even more comforting when they are healthified! This recipe caught my attention because of my my happy experience with cauliflower pizza crust. It’s made with cauliflower and milk instead of potatoes and heavy cream, which magically tastes almost like the real thing but with less carbs.
BACON-CHEDDAR CAULIFLOWER CHOWDER
Serves 8
Ingredients:
8 slices center-cut bacon, chopped (half used for garnish)
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt & pepper
4 cups shredded or grated cauliflower (1/2 large head)
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth, divided
2 cups 2% milk
3-4 dashes hot sauce
2-1/2 cups (12oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
2 green onions, chopped (optional)
Directions:
- Whisk together flour and 1/4 cup chicken broth in a small bowl then set aside.
- Saute bacon in a large soup pot over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate then remove all but 1 Tablespoon drippings from the pot. Add chopped onion, celery, and garlic to the pot then season with salt and pepper and saute until vegetables are tender, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add cauliflower to the pot then stir to combine. Add water then place a lid on top and steam cauliflower until tender, stirring a couple times, about 5-7 minutes. Add remaining chicken broth and milk then turn up heat and bring to a boil.
- Slowly whisk in flour/chicken broth mixture while stirring, then turn down heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until chowder has thickened (if desired, puree half the soup with a blender or immersion blender). Turn off heat then stir in 2 cups cheddar cheese until smooth, then stir in half the cooked bacon. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and/or hot sauce if necessary. Serve topped with remaining shredded cheese, cooked bacon, and green onions, if desired.
Source: Iowa Girl Eats
Posted in Entree, Soup Stew Chili | Tags: bacon, cauliflower, celery, cheddar, green onions, onions | 7 Comments »
Tortellini Spinach Bake in Creamy Meyer Lemon Sauce
Last week, Stephanie (another student in the lab who is planning to graduate this spring) and I attended an electronic dissertation formatting workshop. It was 3 hours long and we both wanted to strangle someone by the time it was over. Actually, we had that impulse before we even got to the workshop because we had an assignment to complete prior to the workshop which consisted of going through a 35 page mock dissertation and editing the formatting errors! Thankfully I did learn something from all of that, but think it could’ve been acquired less painfully. At the same time, neither of us now have very high hopes of finishing the write up of our dissertations in time to start the formatting review process the first of April. Especially since we both have lab work we’re still trying to finish up. It’s a good thing one can just finish whenever you’re done in grad school instead of only two days a year.
Anywho, pardon my rant. I will make it up to you with yet another recipe involving Meyer lemons. It’s cheese tortellini, mixed up with bacon and spinach then covered in a Meyer lemon cream sauce. Feast your eyes upon that plate of glory. (And watch as my frustration magically dissipates a little.)
One year ago: Lighter Pizza Dip
TORTELLINI SPINACH BAKE IN CREAMY MEYER LEMON SAUCE
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
12 oz. cheese tortelini (I used frozen)
4 oz. (4 strips) bacon
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
3/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1-1/2 tsp dry basil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 Meyer lemon, zested and juiced
2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, roughly chopped
3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill a large stock pot with water and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, place bacon in a medium sized skillet on the stove-top at medium-high heat. Cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan with slotted spoon and set on paper towels to drain. Reserve two tablespoons bacon drippings in pan and discard the rest. Add garlic to pan and cook until fragrant and tender, about 30 seconds. Add flour to pan and stir with a whisk until browned, about 1 minute. Slowly add milk and continue to stir with whisk until smooth. Add salt, pepper, basil, and red pepper flakes and bring sauce to a simmer.
- Add Meyer lemon zest and juice to sauce. Continue to stir until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Drain tortellini and place back in stock pot. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the cooked bacon and add the rest to the pasta mixture. Add spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Add sauce and gently stir to combine. Place pasta mixture in an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish and top with remaining 1/4 cup mozarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan and also crumbled bacon.
- Cover pan with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until cheese on top is melted and pasta is bubbly throughout. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Source: Adapted slightly from Our Best Bites.
Posted in Entree, Pasta | Tags: bacon, lemon, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, tortellini | 8 Comments »
Review: Alexia’s Sweet Potato Rolls with Apple Maple Turkey Sliders & Giveaway
I know I have been slacking on the Superbowl recipe sharing this week so I am here to make it up to you with some awesome sliders and a giveaway (at the end of this post)!
Potato rolls and bread have always been a favorite of mine, so when I found out Alexia had sweet potato rolls I jumped on the opportunity to review them. And decided to make sliders out of one of my favorite burger recipes.
Normally I would serve these with sweet potato fries, but decided to change it up with the sweet potato buns and then served with some of Alexia’s Oven Reds instead. I think these buns were made for these sliders, and may not return to regular buns. The turkey sliders are mixed with applesauce, maple syrup, and crumbled bacon, and then topped off with a maple-dijon sauce that I made with Greek yogurt (instead of mayo in the original recipe I posted). The sweet potato roll is like a happy little hug around all that flavor, but still holds it own. If there hadn’t been the exact amount of sliders per roll, I may have eaten a roll by itself! Which means I now have to go out and buy more so I can do just that.
One year ago: Superbowl XLVI Recipe Roundup
Two years ago: Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
APPLE MAPLE TURKEY SLIDERS WITH MAPLE-DIJON SAUCE
Makes 8 sliders
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt ( I used 0% Chobani)
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp real maple syrup, divided
1-1/4 pounds ground turkey breast
1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
1/2 cup chunky applesauce
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 bag (8 rolls) frozen Alexia Sweet Potato Rolls
Desired slider toppings
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake buns as directed on the package.
- Meanwhile, set up grill for direct cooking over medium heat. Oil grate when ready to start cooking (I used a stovetop cast iron grill pan).
- For Maple-Dijon Sauce: In a small bowl, stir to combine Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and 1/4 cup maple syrup; set aside.
- For Turkey Burgers: In a medium bowl, mix together ground turkey, bacon, applesauce, poultry seasoning, 2 Tbsp maple syrup, and salt & pepper. Wet hands to prevent sticking and shape into 8 small patties.
- Place burgers on hot grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until done. Serve on sliced sweet potato buns with condiments and a dollop of maple-Dijon sauce.
Source: Adapted slightly from Sandra Lee from Food Network.
But wait, didn’t I say something about a giveaway? Never fear, I did not forget! One lucky reader will win: One Alexia apron, One Alexia kitchen timer, & One coupon for a FREE Alexia Product! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the giveaway.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary bag of Alexia’s Sweet Potato Rolls to review and giveaway is also provided by Alexia. I was not compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Posted in Entree, Giveaways, Holidays, Reviews, Sandwiches, Sports Events, Turkey | Tags: applesauce, bacon, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, mustard, sweet potato, turkey | 28 Comments »
Onion Ring Topped BBQ Bacon Burger
My committee meeting went well yesterday! Insert ginormous sigh of relief. Albeit, a short-lived relief because I still have a lot of work to do. But I will spare you all the science jargon that follows with the rest of that train of thought. All you need to know is that I am moving along in a positive direction, hopefully ending in May.
Now to celebrate, let’s all eat a big juicy BBQ burger topped with bacon, cheese AND an onion ring! I used Alexia’s frozen onion rings, because after trying them I was instantly converted from an onion ring hater to an onion ring lover. Seriously these things rock, and I usually dislike the texture of onions in any form. Even the majority of other onion rings, frozen or at a restaurant, do not appeal to me, but Alexia’s are a whole different story.
Don’t forget the pretzel buns – the best burger buns ever created.
One year ago: Red Velvet Crème Brulee Cupcakes
ONION RING TOPPED BBQ BACON BURGER
Serves 2
Ingredients:
1-13.5 oz. package frozen onion rings (such as Alexia brand)
2 slices thick cut bacon
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1/4 cup BBQ sauce + more for the burgers
Salt & pepper, to taste
2 slices cheddar cheese
2 hamburger buns
Lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc.
Directions:
- Cook onion rings according to package directions. While those are in the oven, cook your bacon to desired doneness and drain on paper towels.
- For the burger patties, in a small bowl, stir ground beef, onions, BBQ sauce, salt and pepper together until combined. Divide into two equal patties. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and cook patties on medium heat for approximately 7 minutes per side. Place a slice of cheese on top of each and remove from pan.
- To assemble burgers, place cooked patty onto hamburger buns and top with more BBQ sauce, cooked bacon, onion rings and any other desired toppings. Serve immediately with any remaining onion rings and/or fries.
Source: Adapted slightly from Lauren’s Latest
Bacon and Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Are we really halfway through September already? I know many of you are experiencing fall weather, but it’s still summer in Memphis. Although I think whoever controls the temperature inside my lab building wants to pretend it’s fall inside, because I now require two sweatshirts to be comfortable. I don’t know about you, but if I saw someone walking around in high 80 degree weather with two sweatshirts and jeans, I would think they were a little off their rocker. So I leave them at my desk and try not to shiver on my way out for the day. Apparently being a graduate student now requires costume changes.
To comfort my seasonally confused self, I made some mac and cheese! Speaking of comforting things, I really do require comfort anywhere I can find it these days. After missing my flight this past Sunday, I didn’t think this week could get any worse. That was until I got a notice in the mail Wednesday saying I failed to show up to an August 10th court date for my expired license plate tags (which btw were processed the very next day, pain in my butt). Ya know, the court date for which I called about two months ago to reschedule to this very day, Friday September 14th, because I was living in Knoxville for all of August? Oh, but wait the person with whom I spoke to about this failed to do their job and file the proper paperwork. Now I have to hope the judge believes me and doesn’t take away my drivers license for a “failure to comply” charge. I wish I could bring in some cupcakes to sweeten the deal.
In other words, this recipe may state that it serves 4 but with my current emotional level this week I took that as a joke. Good thing it’s a little bit healthier than traditional mac and cheese.
One year ago: Peanut Butter Hummus
BACON AND BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
Serves 4
Ingredients:
3 cups broccoli florets
8 oz. uncooked rigatoni
1 Tbsp butter (I used Melt)
1-1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 oz. reduced-fat processed American cheese, cut into pieces (I used 2% Velveeta)
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 oz. extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup packed)
Directions:
- Steam broccoli 5 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Pat dry, and keep warm.
- Cook pasta in boiling water in a large saucepan for 8 minutes or until al dente; drain and keep warm.
- Wipe pan with paper towels, and return to medium heat. Melt butter in pan. Sprinkle flour over melted butter; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add milk to the flour mixture in pan, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook for 1 minute or until slightly thick, and remove from heat. Add American cheese; stir until smooth.
- Stir in sliced green onions and the remaining ingredients. Stir in broccoli and pasta; serve immediately.
Source: Cooking Light, April 2012.
Sweet Potato Breakfast Biscuits
I finally caved and made something fall-ish. With the high temperatures still in the 80s or 90s here it’s been very difficult for me to accept the appearance of all the fall recipes. Don’t even get me started on the fall (and even winter) decor seen and sold in stores. But unfortunately the end of peach season meant my cravings had to be directed elsewhere. As a result, while in Boston most recently I made not one but FOUR recipes that use sweet potato. I’m going to space the recipes out a bit, but to start I figured we should begin with the most important meal of the day – dessert breakfast!
These sweet potato breakfast biscuits are the perfect carb to sandwich around your favorite breakfast sandwich ingredients. These biscuits were loved so much, some were actually eaten all by themselves. I bet a nice homemade cinnamon-honey butter would’ve been great on them too, if they had lasted long enough for the idea to pop into my head. Wishful thinking.
One year ago: Chicken Pot Pie Wellington
SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST BISCUITS
Makes 10-12 biscuits, adjust bacon/sausage and eggs accordingly
Ingredients:
3.5 oz cooked & well-mashed sweet potato (approximately 1/2 cup)
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
1/2 cup milk
Poached or over-easy eggs
Cooked bacon or breakfast sausage
Sliced cheese
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and soda, and whisk until combined. Using a fork, pastry blender or your hands, add butter pieces to the flour and mix until coarse little crumbles remain. Pour in milk and add sweet potato, stirring with a spoon until thoroughly combined, but not overmixing. Use your hands if needed to bring the dough together.
- Use a 1/4 cup measure to drop batter onto a nonstick baking sheet, or press dough on a sheet of parchment paper or cutting board, then use a biscuit cutter to shape the dough into rounds. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until biscuits are slightly golden and puffy. While biscuits are baking, prepare your breakfast sandwich ingredients. Eat!
Source: How Sweet It Is
Bleu Cheese Ball
I am back in Memphis after my month-long stay in Knoxville, capped on the end by a weekend trip to Boston, and it’s been a whirlwind. Especially since it’s not over because I am off to a wedding in Nashville and a conference in San Francisco next! Apparently I am incapable of sitting still and although it has been fun, I am definitely looking forward to putting an end to all this traveling for a little while so I can get my apartment back into some sort of order.
Going back in time… I made this cheese ball before I left for Knoxville for an ArtjamN outing with my friend Brandi before she moved away to NC for her post-doc. Yes yes, I know I just posted a cheese ball recipe on Saturday, but that was a sweet version, this one is savory! And when I was given this recipe, I was told that this cheese ball drives people crazy. That might be an understatement because it vanished in under 30 minutes.
The cheese ball is very easy to put together, but you absolutely must prepare this ahead of time in order to allow the flavors to fully blend and enhance each other. As a result, your cheese ball will have a flock of people circling around it until every last smear of it disappears. Who knew a little bleu cheese mixed into cream cheese and then covered in bacon and pecans could create such a crazed group of people!
BLEU CHEESE BALL
Makes 1 cheese ball
Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
4 oz. crumbled bleu cheese, softened
1/4 c finely chopped green onion
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp brown sugar
Directions:
- Stir together butter, cheeses, onion and seasonings until well blended. Press into a 2-cup mold or bowl lined with plastic wrap (I used a cereal bowl). Chill at least 8 hours or overnight (you must do this or it will have no flavor).
- Before serving, make topping: Combine sugar and pecans in a non-stick skillet coated with cooking spray. Cook until the sugar melts and the pecans begin to toast. Add the bacon and stir. Remove from heat and let mixture cool.
- Invert cheese onto serving plate. Press bacon-pecan mixture on top of cheese. Serve with crackers or crostini.
Source: Beth’s mom
Posted in Appetizers & Snacks, Dips | Tags: bacon, blue cheese, cream cheese, green onions, pecans | 7 Comments »
