Tag Archives: bacon

August 4, 2013 · 6:31 pm

Bacon and Cherry Broccoli

I am slightly obsessed with a broccoli salad they make at my Whole Foods.  It’s crunchy, sweet, and creamy all at the same time.  Instead of going to Whole Foods daily to get some, I tried my own version.  In this recipe, I steamed the broccoli, but next time I think I would leave it raw.  My version didn’t have the same crunch, and I think it’s because I cooked the broccoli.  I’ll let you know next time how it comes out.

Bacon and Cherry Broccoli

Pieces:

  1. two heads of broccoli
  2. 5-6 slices bacon (I used turkey bacon)
  3. one cup dried cherries
  4. 4 tbsp. (vegan) mayo
  5. 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
  6. 1 tbsp. dried thyme
  7. one quarter of a red onion
  8. 1 tbsp. olive oil

Process:

  1. Chop the broccoli so the stems are removed and only small heads remain.  They should be bite sized heads.
  2. Slice the bacon into small bite sized pieces.  Saute the bacon over medium heat about 5 minutes.
  3. Chop the red onion into very small, fine pieces.
  4. Add the olive oil and red onion to the bacon and sauté another 3-4 minutes, until the red onion starts to soften.
  5. In a large bowl, add the broccoli, bacon, onion, and cherries.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix together the mayo, red wine vinegar, and thyme.  Combine well.
  7. Pour the mayo mixture over the broccoli mixture and toss to combine.
  8. Serve!

 

bacon broccoli

 

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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August 1, 2013 · 6:30 pm

Smokey Sweet Potato Salad

I love potato salad in the summer, but wanted to make a healthier version that still had summer flavor.  So, I used sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes and a vinegar based dressing instead of mayo.  I was really happy with how this turned out!  I’ll definitely make it again.

Smokey Sweet Potato Salad

Pieces:

  1. 3 sweet potatoes
  2. 5-6 slices bacon (I used turkey bacon)
  3. 4 tbsp. honey mustard
  4. 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
  5. 1 tbsp. olive oil
  6. 2 tsp. lemon juice
  7.  1 tsp. grated lemon rind
  8. 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
  9. one half tsp. coriander
  10. salt and pepper

Process:

  1. Peel the sweet potatoes.  Cut them lengthwise into quarters or fifths.  Then cut into bite sized pieces.
  2. Roast the sweet potato pieces with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, until the sweets are tender when pierced with a fork (but not mushy).
  3. Slice the bacon into small bite sized pieces.  Saute the bacon pieces on medium heat until crispy.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes and bacon.
  5. Make the dressing by adding the honey mustard, white wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon rind, paprika, and coriander to a shaker or bowl.  Shake or stir to combine.
  6. Pour the dressing over the potatoes and bacon.  Toss lightly to coat.
  7. Let cool in the fridge for a couple hours.
  8. Top with scallions and serve.

smokey sweet potato

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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July 18, 2013 · 6:41 pm

Bacon Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is one of my favorite side dishes.  I know, probably one of the least popular, but I love it (almost as much as beets!).  Actually, I like just plain old sautéed spinach, too.  If you don’t like creamed spinach as much as I do, here is a way to dress it up a bit… add cream and bacon!  Who couldn’t love creamed spinach with some bacon in it?

Bacon Creamed Spinach

Pieces:

  1. 2 pieces bacon (I like Applegate Farms turkey bacon)
  2. 2 tbsp. chopped shallot
  3. 1 tbsp. olive oil
  4. one and one quarter cup coconut (or other dairy free) creamer
  5. 1 tbsp. gluten free flour
  6. 3 tbsp. vegan butter
  7. 2 cups frozen spinach
  8. 2 tsp. nutmeg
  9. 2 tsp. pepper
  10. 1 tsp. salt
  11. one half tsp. cinnamon

 

Process:

  1. Chop the shallot and sauté in a pan with the olive oil.  Saute just for a minute or two.
  2. Chop the bacon into smaller than bite sized pieces.
  3. Saute the bacon with the shallot.  Add the vegan butter.  Saute until the bacon gets nice and crispy.
  4. Add the creamer and gluten free flour and stir for a couple of minutes to thicken.
  5. Add the spinach and continue to stir.
  6. Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
  7. Stir until spinach is heated through.
  8. Serve hot!

 

 

 

bacon spinach

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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July 11, 2013 · 6:53 pm

Fancy BLoT

My childhood summers consisted of many trips up to Maine beaches, which always also included Maine lobster.  YUM!  So to me, nothing says summer more than some red hot lobster.  After a very filling recent lobster dinner, I took some leftovers and made a Fancy BLT open sandwich the next day.  Even better the second day!

Fancy BLT

Pieces:

  1. the leftover claw and tail meat of 1 lobster
  2. 2 slices bacon
  3. 15-20 cherry tomatoes
  4. 1 tbsp. (vegan) mayo
  5. 2 celery stalks
  6. 1 tsp. lemon pepper
  7. 2 slices of your favorite gluten free bread
  8. 1 tbsp. vegan butter

Process:

  1. Strip the claw and tail of the lobster to get all possible meat.  Shred with your fingers or a fork and put into a bowl.
  2. Cut the bacon into small bite sized pieces and saute on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, until crispy.
  3. Slice the cherry tomatoes into quarters.
  4. Chop the celery into the same size pieces as the tomatoes.
  5. Add the sauted bacon, cherry tomatoes, celery, lemon pepper, and mayo to the lobster meat and stir to combine. 
  6. Toast and butter the bread to your liking.
  7. Create an open sandwich by scooping lobster salad on the toast.
  8. Enjoy!

lobster blt

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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June 4, 2013 · 6:13 pm

Tato n’ Bacon Bites

Over a very hot summer weekend, a few friends and I got together to hang out, enjoy some (gluten free for me) beer, and just enjoy the start to summer.  I found a recipe for these bacon wrapped potato bites and knew they were perfect for a crowd.  I followed this recipe pretty closely, but did make one change in the dip.  The recipe calls for sour cream swirled with hot sauce.  Instead, I made a dip for the Tato n’ Bacon Bites that had sour cream, blue cheese dressing, and buffalo sauce in it.  Talk about a party pleaser!  I will definitely make these again.  Note:  the dip DOES have dairy in it.

Tato n’ Bacon Bites based on a recipe by TheKitchn

Pieces:

  1. one pound small red potatoes, cut into halves or quarters (so they are bite sized)
  2. salt and pepper to season
  3. one tsp. freshly chopped rosemary (finely chopped)
  4. one pound bacon, each piece cut into thirds
  5. toothpicks
  6. 3 tbsp. sour cream
  7. one half cup lite blue cheese dressing
  8. one quarter cup buffalo sauce

Process:

  1. Cut the potatoes so that they are bite sized.
  2. In a large saucepan, add the potatoes and enough water to cover them.
  3. Cover the saucepan and bring to a boil.  Boil the potatoes for about 5 minutes, just until barely fork tender.
  4. Drain the potatoes and let cool.
  5. Toss with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
  6. Wrap each potato bite with a one third piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
  7. Bake the bites at 400 degrees about 25-30 minutes, until bacon starts to crisp.
  8. While they are baking, mix together the sour cream, blue cheese dressing, and buffalo sauce.
  9. Serve hot, and dip in that buffalo goodness!

bacon tato bites

 

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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May 7, 2013 · 8:11 pm

BBLT Salad

I recently discovered a turkey bacon at Whole Foods that has 35 calories a slice, and has no nitrates or hormones… and it is nice and thick!  So I had to figure out how to use this great find in my lunches last week.  So here goes the Bean, Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Salad!  This recipe is enough to make a few salads.

Bean, Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Salad

Pieces:

  1. salad lettuce (about half a bag, washed)
  2. 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  3. 5-6 slices turkey bacon
  4. one can white beans, drained
  5. one half cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
  6. 1 tbsp. herbed mayo (or substitute)
  7. 1 tbsp. olive oil
  8. 2 tbsp. white vinegar
  9. 1 tsp. garlic salt
  10. 2 tsp. lemon pepper
  11. 1 tsp. chili powder

 

Process:

  1. Slice the bacon into small pieces and sauté in a large skillet over medium heat, until desired crispiness.
  2. Drain the white beans.
  3. In a large bowl, plate 2 handfuls salad lettuce and add a handful of cherry tomatoes, about a quarter cup sauted bacon, two teaspoons crumbled blue cheese, and a quarter cup drained white beans.
  4. In a salad dressing shaker, combine and shake the mayo, olive oil, white vinegar, garlic salt, lemon pepper, and chili powder.
  5. Top salad with dressing and enjoy!

bblt saladHappy Allergy Free Eating!

 

 

 

 

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April 28, 2013 · 6:37 pm

Chicken with Bacon and Honey Caramelized Onions

Oh what a treat this meal was!  I was dreaming of a sweet and salty chicken dish, and this came together in my mind.  I bought good quality turkey bacon which came in thick slices and made the dish that much more hearty.  Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Chicken with Bacon and Honey Caramelized Onions

Pieces:

  1. 4 slices good quality turkey bacon
  2. 2 chicken breasts
  3. 1 tsp. pepper
  4. 1 tsp. garlic salt
  5. one half of an onion, sliced into thin rounds
  6. 1 tbsp. olive oil
  7. pinch of regular salt
  8. 2 tbsp. water
  9. 2 tbsp. honey

 

Process:

  1. Season the chicken breasts with pepper and garlic salt.
  2. Wrap two pieces of turkey bacon around each chicken breast.
  3. Bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes, until chicken cooked through.
  4. While the chicken is baking, caramelize the onions.  Put the olive oil in a sauté pan and heat on medium for 1 minute.
  5. Add the onion rounds and sauté for 2 minutes.
  6. Add the 2 tbsp. water and honey to the onions and cover.  Let simmer of medium-low heat, periodically stirring.
  7. Simmer onions for about 15-20 minutes, until soft and brown (caramelized).
  8. Place caramelized onions on top of cooked chicken and serve hot!

bacon onion chicken

Happy allergy free eating!

 

 

 

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December 20, 2012 · 6:46 pm

Bacon Wrapped, Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Honestly, I was never a big fan of bacon.  I would much rather have sausage with my breakfast.  However, since being gluten free and having to expand my fridge staples, I have tried to find more ways to use bacon because it is a safe food for me.  I thought of this chicken recipe and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was!  A great dinner idea for a cold night… and it is very easy!

Bacon Wrapped, Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Pieces:

  1. 2 chicken breasts, either thin fillets or pounded thin
  2. 4 strips bacon (I used low sodium)
  3. 4 tsp. goat cheese
  4. 4 tsp. dried cranberries
  5. pepper

Process:

  1. Spread 2 tsp. goat cheese on top of each chicken breast fillet
  2. Sprinkle 2 tsp. dried cranberries on top of the goat cheese on each fillet.
  3. Wrap each chicken breast fillet with 2 strips of bacon to hold in the goat cheese and cranberries.
  4. Sprinkle pepper on top of the bacon strips.
  5. Bake at 375 degrees about 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

goat cran bacon chix

 

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

 

 

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October 9, 2012 · 6:52 pm

Chicken with Rosemary, Bacon, Cream Sauce

Every now and then you have to splurge with a little bacon, right?  It makes the house smell great and it makes any meal taste better.  This week, I made a quick and easy chicken recipe with a rosemary, bacon, cream sauce.  It was delicious!  Hearty for these fall nights.  I put it over rice, but you could easily put it over quinoa or gluten free pasta instead.

Chicken with Rosemary, Bacon, Cream Sauce

Pieces:

  1. 2 chicken breasts
  2. 6 slices bacon
  3. 1 cup coconut milk
  4. 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  5. 2 tsp. pepper

Process:

  1. Cut the bacon into small pieces, maybe a half inch by half inch.  Tip:  I use kitchen scissors!
  2. In a large saute pan on high heat, saute the bacon until it starts to sizzle, but isn’t fully cooked (about 3-4 minutes).
  3. Drain the bacon fat and put the bacon bits back into the pan.
  4. Push the bacon aside and place the chicken breasts in the pan.  Sprinkle the chicken generously with pepper on both sides.  Saute the chicken on high heat about 2 minutes each side, just to brown the outside.
  5. Turn the heat down to medium.  Add the coconut milk and rosemary.
  6. Cover and let simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the coconut milk cooks off, about 15-20 minutes.  You may take off the lid for the last few minutes.
  7. Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or pasta by adding the chicken and spooning a generous amount of bacon and sauce over it.  Garnish with rosemary.

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

 

 

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September 16, 2012 · 5:58 pm

Bacon and Onion Meatloaf

I was actually in the mood for something hearty this weekend as the weather started to cool down (even though I am in total denial about summer ending).  So, I decided to make turkey meatloaf, and add the heartiness of bacon to it.  It was delicious!  I know that meatloaf has a bad reputation, but this turned out really well.  It is pretty healthy with the turkey meat, and the bacon added some flavor.  I will definitely make it again.  You could even make meatballs out of it if you wanted to.

Bacon and Onion Meatloaf

Pieces:

  1. 1 lb. ground turkey (or beef if you prefer)
  2. one half of an onion, finely chopped
  3. 7 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces (I use kitchen scissors)
  4. one half cup gluten free bread crumbs
  5. 1 egg and 1 egg white
  6. 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  7. 1 tsp. cumin
  8. 1 tsp. chopped garlic
  9. salt and pepper to taste
  10. 4 tbsp. ketchup
  11. 2 tbsp. honey

Process:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, onion, bacon, bread crumbs, eggs, paprika, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper.  Use your hands to combine the mixture, but don’t handle it too much or make it too dense by squeezing too hard.
  2. Once combined, form it into a loaf shape.
  3. Place the loaf into a shallow and greased pan.
  4. Put the pan and loaf into the fridge for 10 minutes.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 65 minutes.  Halfway through baking, about 30 minutes in, drizzle the honey and ketchup on top of the loaf.
  6. When cooked, take the pan out of the oven and let it sit for about 5-7 minutes.
  7. Cut into slices and serve hot.

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

 

 

 

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