NCEPR - Bacon Recipes

[wawa]

I just agreed to a participate in a cookoff at my office.  Secret ingredient - Bacon.  Must make enough for a crowd, and has to be either something that works at room temp or chilled or is crockpot-friendly because it'll be served at lunchtime at the office.

I'm strongly leaning toward bacon wrapped dates stuffed with either blue cheese or a pistachio mixture, but...having to make each one by hand ups the time factor by a lot over something I can just put in a crockpot and be done with. 


Other things swirling in my head, many of which are even MORE labor intensive than the bacon wrapped stuffed dates:
Maple-bacon carb product - either a small donut or a cream puff
Cheddar bacon carb product - like a Gougeres  or more like a shortbread
BLT stuffed cherry tomatoes
some other blt inspired something...
candied bacon
hell...just straight up bacon.  We have several packs of homemade bacon in the freezer still.  Could just throw down a basket of bacon pieces and be like, 'BRING IT'

I have a coleslaw recipe, a potato salad recipe and a bean recipe that include a lot of bacon and are all damn tasty, but aren't really show stoppers.  I do love those beans though, they're so good.  The potato salad recipe might be a winner, but it's a friend's mom's "secret" recipe, so I feel like it's cheating to use it since it's not my family's recipe.

The one I think I can make most visually impressive would be the maple bacon cream puffs.  I could go full insanity with it and do a croquembouche...can you make caramel with maple syrup in place of some of the sugar/corn syrup?  redheadbaker ?

[mbcdefg]

I like this scone recipe a lot - you could easily substitute bacon for the ham: damndelicious.net/2015/09/09/ham-and-cheese-scones/ 

You could make potato cheddar soup with bacon bits in it.

Stuff a pork loin or chicken breasts with something (figs, spinach and goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, cranberries and apples, cream cheese, gorgonzola ... ?), wrap in bacon, bake, and slice off pieces. 

Before you said you wanted to avoid individual appetizers, I was going to suggest something I first had at my cousin-in-law's house ... buy a tube of refrigerated croissant dough, split each triangle in two, put a small dollop of cream cheese in each piece of dough, wrap it into a little ball, then wrap half a piece of bacon around it, and bake according to the croissant directions. I thought it sounded odd but the combo really works. 

Bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, or stuff small peppers with goat/cream cheese and wrap in bacon, or wrap pineapple in bacon.

Pinwheels

Loaded baked potato/sweet potato bites

Crockpot recipes always wind up soggy and gross for me. Once my crockpot finally craps out for good I think I'll replace it with an Instant Pot. If you decide to do the baked potato soup, it'd stay warm in a crockpot and you can buy little plastic shot glasses or Dixie Cups to serve.

[katieinthecity]

Bacon cake!! I made it for a local GTG a few years ago and it was a huge hit. I'm not a particularly skilled baker, so it wasn't iced very neatly and kind of fell apart - but that was due to lack of ability on my part. Other more experienced individuals have made it with success. And even though mine didn't look pretty, it tasted phenomenal.

www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/maple-bacon-cake.html

[StrawberryBlondie]

I have a chili recipe that includes bacon that's amazing.

[Vespasia]

These are always a huge hit but not sure how they would do at room temp:
www.thekitchn.com/appetizer-recipe-baconwrapped-80658

Also a favorite for parties:
www.browneyedbaker.com/loaded-baked-potato-dip/

This looks good but I haven't tried it yet:
www.browneyedbaker.com/bacon-jalapeno-cheese-ball-recipe/

As do these:
thekitchenprepblog.com/2012/09/chocolate-caramel-marshmallow-whiskey.html

[jenny1223]

I love bacon wrapped dates, so that's my vote! I also love homemade baked beans with bacon and brown sugar.

[Vespasia]

I think you should try several of these recipes and invite me over.

[jinkies]

I'm not a big fan of bacon in sweets, but it's a combo that a lot of people seem to like, but people don't often make. So doing the cream puffs may stand out in competitive setting because there won't be a lot of sweets.

I am comically bad at making bacon. The only things I make it for are a broccoli salad with sunflower seeds and bacon, and quiche lorraine.

[DotAndBuzz]

wonkywonderful.com/bourbon-cupcake-recipe/

Bourbon, buttercream, and bacon cupcakes.

A local bakery makes a variation on these, and they are AMAZING.

But obviously, it has liquor in it, which does NOT cook off with baking, so...depending on the office environment, that may be a no-go.

ETA - you could probably modify the recipe to be non-alcoholic with another spiced/smoky liquid or a maple flavor - like pure maple syrup.

[eponinepontmercy]

Bacon Crack

Peanut Butter Bacon Bars - this calls for peanut butter cookie mix, but I'm sure you could adapt another cookie recipe.

Both of these have made appearances at one of our Super Bowl parties, to great reviews.

[picksthemusic]

I have a recipe for Settler's Beans (good in the crock pot) that has ground beef and bacon. They're so good.

1/2lb ground beef, browned
1 pack bacon, browned, drained, and crumbled
2 cans dark kidney beans (drained)
2 cans Great Northern beans (or white kidney beans) (drained)
1 can pork and beans
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c ketchup
2T dark Karo syrup
1t dry mustard powder
1t garlic powder
1t onion powder
Salt to taste

Put all ingredients in a crock pot and heat for at least 4-6 hours on low.

[MixedBerryJam]

Are you saying you cured the bacon yourself? I would totally eat the shit out off that and give you the blue ribbon if it's a contest. Esp if you have different varieties. What about chocolate bark with bacon? I think the trick with that is to use super crispy bacon, enough but not too much of it, and sprinkle it on top as the chocolate cools, not stir it in while it's melted.

[redheadbaker]

You can flavor caramel with maple syrup, but the main ingredient still needs to be sugar.

If beer is allowed, I recommend this candied bacon: tideandthyme.com/beer-candied-bacon/

[eponinepontmercy]

Oct 5, 2017 12:40:37 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

You can flavor caramel with maple syrup, but the main ingredient still needs to be sugar.

If beer is allowed, I recommend this candied bacon: tideandthyme.com/beer-candied-bacon/

I had this saved to my Super Bowl Party pinterest board, but never got around to making it.  I'll have to add it to my next menu.

[lessel]

Bacon jam on some crunchy bread

[candreco]

I made bacon chocolate chip cookies once, and they were fantastic.

[kaybee85]

This is dinner tonight!


Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes in Garlic Cream Sauce

juliasalbum.com/2015/02/chicken-and-bacon-pasta-with-spinach-and-tomatoes-in-garlic-cream-sauce/

[wawa]

All other things being equal, I think I'll try to avoid nuts since one of my engineers is allergic. Which knocks out my stuffed, bacon wrapped date recipe unless I switch to blue cheese, but enough people dislike blue cheese that it sounds risky. Could go cream cheese, but eh.
Also eliminates that bacon ball. And the peanut butter bacon bars.

The bacon cake is...incredibly tempting. That's high on the list.
The cupcakes just don't have enough bacon. I want to make sure nobody pulls the chopp'd judging bullshit of "sure it's great, but did it really FEATURE the ingredient?" Also i'm pretty sure somebody is already doing cupcakes.
Things that wouldn't work not room temp are a no-go - I make a hell of a jalepeno popper, but they're not great room temp. This would also be a limited for the super awesome idea of actual entree style meat item rather than an app - so much showier, hand carved bacon wrapped pork loin stuffed w/ whatever whatever...that sounds awesome. But...room temp? hmmm...

I probably need to decide on sweet vs savory and narrow from there because I'm totally overwhelmed with options at this point...

The bacon crack and that marshmallow bark want to get in my belly RIGHT NOW.

I wonder if I can make cream puffs with bacon grease in place of some of the butter....if the texture would still work. hmmmm.

[wawa]

Oct 5, 2017 12:40:37 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

You can flavor caramel with maple syrup, but the main ingredient still needs to be sugar.

If beer is allowed, I recommend this candied bacon: tideandthyme.com/beer-candied-bacon/

Woudl I add the maple syrup at the end?  Or include it from the beginning with the sugar?

[Vespasia]

Oct 5, 2017 13:10:46 GMT -5 wawa said:

All other things being equal, I think I'll try to avoid nuts since one of my engineers is allergic. Which knocks out my stuffed, bacon wrapped date recipe unless I switch to blue cheese, but enough people dislike blue cheese that it sounds risky. Could go cream cheese, but eh.

I do mine with fontina. Still a pain to wrap them all though. 

[wawa]

Oct 5, 2017 12:35:41 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Are you saying you cured the bacon yourself? I would totally eat the shit out off that and give you the blue ribbon if it's a contest. Esp if you have different varieties. What about chocolate bark with bacon? I think the trick with that is to use super crispy bacon, enough but not too much of it, and sprinkle it on top as the chocolate cools, not stir it in while it's melted.

Yup, cured and smoked.  And sliced.  Because we own a slicer too, of course.

(side note.  we just ordered $800 worth of meat processing stuff because this hobby has outstripped the abilities of my poor kitchenaid mixer.  we almost burnt the poor thing out last winter.  So I am soon to be the proud owner of a standalone meat grinder capable of 11 lbs/minute, the accessory meat mixer and a small assortment of additional necessary items.  God help us all.)

[vicky]

I have a candied bacon jack Daniels cupcake recipe at home if you are interested.

[redheadbaker]

Oct 5, 2017 13:12:41 GMT -5 wawa said:

Oct 5, 2017 12:40:37 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

You can flavor caramel with maple syrup, but the main ingredient still needs to be sugar.

If beer is allowed, I recommend this candied bacon: tideandthyme.com/beer-candied-bacon/

Woudl I add the maple syrup at the end?  Or include it from the beginning with the sugar?

Include it in the beginning. Start with half a cup reach of sugar and maple syrup, cook over low until the sugar dissolves. Add half a sick of butter, stir until melted and incorporated. Add in a quarter cup of heavy cream, and a large pinch of flaked sea salt. Cook until thick. wawa tagging because I edited my post.

[wawa]

Oct 5, 2017 12:24:11 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

Bacon Crack

Peanut Butter Bacon Bars - this calls for peanut butter cookie mix, but I'm sure you could adapt another cookie recipe.

Both of these have made appearances at one of our Super Bowl parties, to great reviews.

OH DEAR.  your first link, which was bad enough and will get made eventually if not for this event, led me to THIS:
www.ohbiteit.com/2015/11/maple-bacon-crusted-cheesecake.html



oh dear oh dear. 

[downtoearth]

I made double chocolate, bacon cookies a few years ago and it was fantastic. I can look around for the recipe - so good.

Ah here is a similar one: allrecipes.com/recipe/197576/chocolate-chocolate-chip-bacon-cookies/

This looks good too, but the ones I made were like the first, except more bacon on top then in: www.theflavorbender.com/double-chocolate-bacon-and-black-pepper-cookies/

[georgeglass]

This is amazing, but has nuts - barefootcontessa.com/recipes/caramelized-bacon

These are good, too - gardenandgun.com/recipe/martha-hall-fooses-bacon-crackers/

[wawa]

Oct 5, 2017 14:08:28 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Oct 5, 2017 13:12:41 GMT -5 wawa said:

Woudl I add the maple syrup at the end?  Or include it from the beginning with the sugar?

Include it in the beginning. Start with half a cup reach of sugar and maple syrup, cook over low until the sugar dissolves. Add half a sick of butter, stir until melted and incorporated. Add in a quarter cup of heavy cream, and a large pinch of flaked sea salt. Cook until thick. wawa tagging because I edited my post.

Thanks!

[bex]

What about just bacon?

My SIL made an appetizer a few years ago for xmas where she took really good thick slices of bacon, tossed them in some brown sugar mix, and then baked them. (she threaded the bacon onto skewers.) they were good at room temp.

That wouldn't be too hard and requires really good bacon, so you can still show off your bacon making skills!

[eponinepontmercy]

Oct 5, 2017 14:15:09 GMT -5 wawa said:

Oct 5, 2017 12:24:11 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

Bacon Crack

Peanut Butter Bacon Bars - this calls for peanut butter cookie mix, but I'm sure you could adapt another cookie recipe.

Both of these have made appearances at one of our Super Bowl parties, to great reviews.

OH DEAR.  your first link, which was bad enough and will get made eventually if not for this event, led me to THIS:
www.ohbiteit.com/2015/11/maple-bacon-crusted-cheesecake.html



oh dear oh dear. 

That.Sounds.Amazing.

[mysticmuffin]

Oct 5, 2017 13:16:00 GMT -5 wawa said:

Oct 5, 2017 12:35:41 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Are you saying you cured the bacon yourself? I would totally eat the shit out off that and give you the blue ribbon if it's a contest. Esp if you have different varieties. What about chocolate bark with bacon? I think the trick with that is to use super crispy bacon, enough but not too much of it, and sprinkle it on top as the chocolate cools, not stir it in while it's melted.

Yup, cured and smoked.  And sliced.  Because we own a slicer too, of course.

(side note.  we just ordered $800 worth of meat processing stuff because this hobby has outstripped the abilities of my poor kitchenaid mixer.  we almost burnt the poor thing out last winter.  So I am soon to be the proud owner of a standalone meat grinder capable of 11 lbs/minute, the accessory meat mixer and a small assortment of additional necessary items.  God help us all.)

Ahem. I'm moving in. Please tell me you have room for me and MiniMuffin.