0 Kalamata Fig and Shallot BACON Jam

BACON JAM...i know you've seen it.  you say, "so what?!"

i'll tell you what...IT'S DELICIOUS.  that's what!

i love it so much that it has become a staple in our house...a guaranteed little jar of sweet bacony goo will be in the fridge at all times.  it goes with just about EVERYTHING!

i have made Spicy Chipotle Bacon Jam a couple of times and the newest combo with dried apricots and Garam Masal...not posted yet...but this version with dried Kalamata (light skin) figs seems to be a crowd favorite.

something about the snappy little fig seeds and the sticky spreadable texture.

serve with a nice tangy goat cheese on a seeded baguette and you've got a fabulous appetizer.

how about a waffle with maple syrup and a fried egg?

a huge spoonful on a grilled burger with Havarti cheese?

peanut butter, bacon jam and a bagel?....

the jars will disappear before you know it and you'll soon make this a staple in your fridge as well.  it's pretty darn easy, it makes the house smell delicious and you'll be a smash at the next dinner party if you bring a jar of this along....so go on...give it a try.

KALAMATA FIG AND SHALLOT BACON JAM

using Martha Stewart's slow cooker method

1 1/2 lbs sliced smoked bacon, cooked NOT CRISPY.

i prefer to do this in the oven on a rimmed cookie sheet lined with tin foil.  reserve 1-2 Tbsp fat for recipe and the rest for something else delicious...like Bacon Fat cookies perhaps.

1 medium onion, diced

1 large shallot, diced

7 oz. dried Kalamata figs, diced (remove hard stem)

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup brewed coffee, i like strong

1/2 tsp Mexican dried chili powder, optional

1/8 - 1/4 tsp smoked salt

cook the bacon in the oven or a saute pan, until it is browned and most of the fat is rendered.  reserve 1-2 Tbsp and try to get some of the yummy scrapings.

cook onions and shallot in a saute pan with bacon fat until translucent.

add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, coffee, garam masala.  bring to a boil and scrape up the bacon bits off the bottom if you have used that pan to cook the bacon.  not too long...just until sugar has dissolved and everything is incorporated.

add bacon (that has been cut or torn into 1 inch pieces) and diced apricots...stir to combine.

transfer this mixture to a 5-6 qt. slow cooker and cook on HIGH, UNCOVERED for about 3 1/2 - 4 hours, until liquid is syrupy.

transfer to a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped...or to desired consistency.  fill sterilized jars, let cool open to room temp, cover jars tight and refrigerate.

this should keep in the fridge for at least 4 weeks.  i have been known to open a fresh jar 5 weeks later and i'm not dead yet...as a matter of fact i'm working on one right now.

0 BACON JAM with a little kick

BACON JAM...are you kidding me?

was someone keeping this a secret?

how did i not know about this WONDER SPREAD?!

move over candied bacon...there's a new kid in town

good morning...good afternoon and good night !

i could eat this with every meal...and i think i have.

if you are a bacon fanatic, like myself, i suggest...demand you to try this fabulous easy slow cooker recipe for the sweet savory ride of your life.  it goes with just about anything and everything...wonderful with the apple-peanut butter combo...fabulous with a ripe camembert cheese and a crisp cracker...just the right topping for some toast soldiers and a 3 minute egg...

and on a burger ?  fagetaboutit !

SLOW COOKER BACON JAM

w/chipotle peppers

adapted from Martha Stewart

original found HERE

1 1/2 pound sliced bacon (apple wood smoked is great), cut lengthwise into 1-2 inch pieces

NOTE...if doing it on the stove top i find it much easier to keep the pieces large or whole for easier flipping and even browning.

2 medium yellow onions, diced small

3-4 garlic cloves, smashed peeled

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

3/4 cup brewed coffee

1/2 tsp Mexican chili powder

2-3 chipotle chilies, diced...out of the can with a little of the adobo sauce

1.  cook your bacon until it is browned and the fat is rendered...OVEN or SKILLET...?

NOTE...the 1st time i cooked my bacon, in strips, all at once in the oven...much easier...BUT i lost out on the crispy bacon burnt scrapings that you get from cooking it in the skillet.    the finished product didn't miss the scrapings at all...it was fabulous.  i did a second batch on the stove top to see if there would be a big flavor  difference and i cut the bacon into small pieces...had to do it in 2 batches, took twice as long, kind of messy and kind of a big hassle.  this batch is in the slow cooker RIGHT NOW, so we'll see....i'm leaning towards the oven method and cutting it all into pieces before adding to the pot.

NOTE...i just tried the second batch...the one that i cooked the bacon on the stove top and used all the scrapings.  i did not see any noticeable flavor difference.  i will definitely use the oven method for my bacon from here on out.  i think i could still get some of the delicious scrapings off the jelly roll pan and add them, but like i said, i didn't notice anything worth going through all the trouble of stove top cooking.  i suggest cooking your bacon in whole strips all at once in the oven.

transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain.  pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat.  save the rest for future use...like these Bacon Fat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies perhaps.

Add onions and garlic, and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes.

add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, coffee, chili powder and chipotle chilies and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet (or not if used oven method) with a wooden spoon.

add bacon and stir to combine.

transfer mixture to a 6 Qt slow cooker and cook on high, UNCOVERED, for 3 1/2 - 4 hours, until liquid is syrupy.

transfer to a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.  let cool, then refrigerate in airtight containers, up to 4 weeks

NOTE...i, obviously, put mine in airtight clip-top jars...try to make sure there are no air bubbles when loading into jars...that's where the spoilage can form first if you are storing a jar for a few weeks. this is very rich, but UNBELIEVABLY FABULOUS so you might use it sparingly...

or YOU MIGHT WANT TO SLATHER IT ON EVERYTHING !!!

i have a new favorite breakfast now that i have discovered this wonder spread...a bacon jam, peanut butter and fresh raspberry quesadilla.  spread the jam on one side, the p-nut better on the other, add the raspberries to one side and flap over like a quesadilla...talk about a delicious out-of-the-ordinary on the go breakfast...YUM !!!

0 Pate de Campagne...Country Pate

OOH LA LA...PATE DE CAMPAGNE...

Country Pate...otherwise known as "Fancy Meatloaf".

if you break it down like that it doesn't seem so difficult to handle...i mean just about anyone can throw together a meatloaf...right?

so, i decided to tackle the beast...take on the challenge of a PATE.  i've made Terrines and Rillettes in the past, but nothing as fancy as a pate with a French name and LIVER in the recipe...yikes!  

liver scares me and kinda gives me the creeps.  when i was little my mother always wanted us to try something once.  she tried to tell my brother and i that it was "baby cow"...i said, "no thank you".  she said, "just try it once if you don't like it you don't have to eat it".  i said, "no thank you, i'll throw up"...so she insisted that i take one bite... 

i threw up on my plate!...

thank goodness i have evolved, broadened my horizons and my palette has improved with age.

this pate is relatively simple, but kind of time consuming.  i've made it twice now and i must say the second time was a bit easier.  the first on i got a little caught up in perfection and still had that little flare of apprehension i get when tackling something new and seemingly involved.  the second one i just told myself it was a fancy meatloaf...it took the pressure off...besides...the first one was such a success that i knew i could play around a little with the ingredients and not be so precise.

PATE de CAMPAGNE with PINK PEPPERCORNS

adapted from Sippitysup.  thanks to jgreghenry

the following ingredients are what i used and found delicious, but the original recipe can be found HERE.  

3/4 lb chicken livers-trimmed

1/3 lb ground pork

3/4 lb pork loin chop, cut into 1 inch cubes

4 slices bacon, roughly chopped

1 1/2-2 tsp salt

1/2 Tbsp pink peppercorns, lightly crushed

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped fine

1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped fine

1/4 cup pistachios

3 Tbsp Brandy or Cognac...i used Henessy

1 medium shallot, minced

2 eggs lightly beaten

6-8 whole bay leaves-mostly for decor

12 slices of bacon

-put the pork loin cubes, chicken livers and roughly chopped bacon into a food processor with blade attachment

-pulse the mixture 12-15 times, scraping sides a few times during process.  you're looking for a varied texture.  don't over process into mush, but don't leave too chunky.

-once you are happy with the texture move the meat mixture to a large bowl.  add the salt, pink peppercorns, black pepper, thyme, rosemary and brandy.  mix this together.

-now, add lightly beaten eggs and shallots.  mix this together well.

-add in the pistachios if you're using them.

-choose a three cup terrine mold or some other oven proof dish of appropriate size and shape...

NOTE...i used a medium loaf pan and had a little left over for a mini loaf pan (also lined with bacon...cute!)

-layer the bay leaves on the bottom of the pan/terrine.  this is pretty much for decoration, but adds flavor as well.

-line the long sides of the pan/terrine with sliced bacon.  leave enough bacon hanging over both sides to cover the top once it is filled.

NOTE...i used very long strips of bacon.  use your judgment...you want the whole thing lined with bacon...the end result is what you're after...after all this trouble it has to look pretty right?

-spoon the meat mixture into the bacon covered mold.  leave a 1/4 inch space on top.  you need room for the top layer of bacon and it will puff a little during cooking.

-fold the hanging bacon over the top and add a piece or two if necessary.

cut a piece of parchment to cover just the meaty top and wrap the terrine/loaf pan in aluminum foil.

-let the flavors come together in the fridge or overnight.  i didn't wait.

-when you are ready to cook...preheat the oven to 325 F.  place the covered terrine in a larger baking dish and pour boiling water into the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the terrine...in other words...this needs to cooked in a Baine Marie.

-bake this for 1 1/2 hours or until the internal temp is 160 F.

-lift the terrine out of the water and set aside to cool completely while covered.

-once it is cooled, drain any extra liquid from the terrine.

-this is optional, but i find it BEST...you need to press the pate when it goes into the fridge..  i use a foil covered brick that fits just-right into my medium loaf pan.  you can also use soup cans or even a heavy skillet...cut yourself a piece of cardboard that will fit inside the rim of the loaf pan or terrine.  cover it with tin foil or plastic wrap.  put that on top of the meat and weigh it down with something heavy...this makes for a nice tight pate that holds together well when sliced...besides...it's just part of that  making your own PATE EXPERIENCE...

please DO give this one a try...

i know it sounds so involved, but just have fun with it and i'm sure you will end up with a fabulous, beautiful loaf of "HOMEMADE CHARCUTERIE"

0 Another Great Oatmeal Cookie made with BACON FAT

i know...you might be over all this bacon fat overload, BUT this is definitely another WINNER.  people raved about it...begged for another.  these are quite different than the other cookie i posted about called the Depression Era Oatmeal Cookie.  that one is crunchy and hearty, while this one is the perfect balance of crunchy outside and chewy inside...great for sandwiching with some yummy maple frosting

i found this incredible recipe while searching for uses for all the bacon fat i have accumulated.  it's at Serious Eats, posted by Amanda Clark.  please check out the original post HERE.  she talks about how she came up with the idea for this unbelievable cookie creation.  she played around with it alot and came up with the perfect ingredient combo for the bacon flavors to really shine while keeping the crunchy outside-chewy inside texture of the classic lunch-box cookie.  my hat's off to Amanda for this one, for sure!

OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES made with BACON FAT !!!
i adapted the recipe slightly, but the original is found at

Serious Eats from Amanda Clark

1 cup, plus 2 Tbsp bacon fat room temp.

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract...i added 1/2 tsp maple extract with 1/2 tsp vanilla

4 1/2 tsp molasses

4 1/2 tsp honey

 1 1/2 cups AP flour...i used white whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp cinnamon

dash powdered ginger

and a few grates of fresh nutmeg

3 cups oats...i use old fashion oats

1 1/2 cups bacon...approx 1 regular package

1 cup raisins, choc. chips or nuts...i use mini choc. chips.   2nd batch was toasted pecans

preheat oven to 325 F.  

mix fat and sugar until creamy and light...(this will not get quite as creamy as butter)

NOTE...as i stated in my other bacon fat cookie post, i like to refrigerate the fat after cooking the bacon so that it solidifies...then let it sit out for a bit before creaming with sugar.

add eggs one at a time, beating after each.  add vanilla, molasses and honey and beat to incorporate.

in a separate bowl combine all dry ingredients...flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.  add dry mixture to wet mixture slowly until just Incorporated.

now...add the oats, bacon chunks and what ever extra goodie you choose and mix until just distributed evenly...don't over mix.

drop the dough by heaping Tablespoons onto parchment lined cookie sheet, leaving 1 1/2 - 2 inches for cookies to spread.  bake for 10 - 12 minutes, rotating tray if necessary.

0 Depression Era Oatmeal BACON FAT Cookies

did your Grandma keep a coffee tin on the back of the stove for BACON GREASE?

mine did.  she used that darn bacon grease for everything. butter and fancy oils weren't used for "saute-ing" in those days...it was more like frying. AND...butter was expensive!, bacon fat was almost a freebie.  besides,  i don't think my Grams knew what the term "saute" meant...

 but what ever it was, when Grandma made it...it always tasted better.  

i think it was all in the BACON FAT!

my Grandma lived 'til 108 !

i found this recipe kind of out of necessity... i, for some unknown reason, have accumulated loads of delicious BACON FAT ! little tupperwares tucked neatly on the bottom shelf of the overcrowded fridge hiding in the way back so as not to be discovered by the fridge police.  i had to find a use for it...

i knew if i already put bacon IN the cookie, why couldn't i use the fat as butter...just one animal fat for the other....because we all know...

butter IS fabulous...but...BACON FAT IS PHENOMENAL !!!

photos shown are with roasted-salted peanuts, peanut butter chips and flax

DEPRESSION ERA OATMEAL COOKIES

i found the recipe HERE at Tasty Kitchen

 posted by Adrianna and Caroline at A Cozy Kitchen

i adapted it ever so slightly

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp maple extract if adding pecans instead of chocolate

3/4 cup BACON FAT...room temp...SEE NOTES*

2 cups old fashion rolled oats

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups flour...i used white whole wheat

4 pieces of bacon...HA !!!...I USED 8-10 slices cut or crumbled into fairly large pieces

i added 1/2 (give or take) cup mini chocolate chips in my 1st batch...

2nd time i used 1 cup lightly toasted pecans
3rd batch was with salted-roasted Virginia peanuts, 1/3 cup p-nut butter chips and 1 heaping Tbsp of flax seeds

preheat oven to 375 F
in a mixer combine the sugars and bacon fat until fluffy and light in color

*NOTE...i think it could handle almost 1 while cup of fat....also, i refrigerate the fat after cooking the bacon to solidify...then remove it and bring it to room temp...this works better from my experience than using it in it's liquid oil/fat form

add the egg and vanilla extract and combine well.

in a separate bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, salt and spices

in the mixer add the oat/flour mixture to the wet mixture in 3 batches and mix 'til just combined.  don't over mix, because you still need to add your goodies

stir or fold in your bacon and choc. chips or nuts or whatever...(cranberries a good add?)

 on ungreased or, i prefer parchment lined cookie sheet... make some round large tablespoon-walnut size balls and flatten slightly.   depending on how big you like your cookies will determine how flat...bake for  approx. 10 minuted or until done...i suggest doing a tester...all bacon fat is not equal and regulated like butter, so i say do a tester and check out how much your batch will spread.  also, the white whole wheat flour makes a hearty dough.

the pictures shown are of the cookies i added peanuts, peanut butter chips and a Tbsp of flax.  these are quite hearty cookies.  the dough seemed dry-ish and didn't really spread, so i flattened them with the bottom of a glass.  they turned out more of a crunchy cookie than chewy....DELICIOUS !

i've made these 3 times.  1st time was straight from the original recipe, then i started to change it up a bit with some spices and a little flax.  the sweet-savory factor is fabulous.  i prefer the strong flavor of apple wood smoked bacon fat, but any good bacon fat will do.

oh yeah...more notes... i like to cook my bacon in the oven on an aluminum lined cookie sheet.  half way through i pour off the fat and reserve in a heat proof tupperware...then continue cooking bacon until crispy...again pour off fat and reserve.

0 Gingerbread Bacon Boys

merry X-mas from the BACON BOYS

i hope everyone has a fabulous day !!!

these delicious boys come straight to you from Betty Crocker's 3-ring recipe book.  again, a classic done right by Betty.  this is the recipe my mother has used for years and years and YEARS.  well, this year i was in charge of the gingerbread making.  i knew bacon had to be involved somehow...someway...somewhere in the mix.

easy peasy...give them BACON PANTS !!!!

with a little vanilla-maple royal icing and some peanut butter buttons...YUM !

with a major doozer of a migraine, a lovely sinus infection, the sight of food nauseating me so that  i just wanted to crawl in bed... i soon found my self having the best time just giggling away while decorating my new friends...THE BACON BOYS. 

lesson learned. #1...when feeling blue or under the weather (understatement), bake a massive amount of cookies and decorate 'till all your worries disappear.  for those few hours i forgot i was sick.  well worth what i thought was going to be a big nightmare.  everyone i gave them to just laughed and laughed.  this little cookie might have just turned their day around as well.

lesson #2...don't underestimate the power of a simple hand decorated cookie

Betty's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe can be found HERE

ROYAL ICING RECIPE

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp milk

2 tsp corn syrup

1/4 tsp maple extract

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

dash of cinnamon

mix well...mix all little lumps out.  taste test.  add more flavoring if you feel the need, but you don't want to overpower your delicious cookie you spent hours mixing, chilling, rolling, cutting, baking AND cooling !!!

IN CONCLUSION...

decorating a zillion cookies might be a pain in the you know what, BUT you never know what may come from a simple little cookie with a smile...

0 ON-THE-GO...Breakfast Cookies

a fun way to catch breakfast if you're always in a hurry to get out the door.  these babies are quite tasty and they really DO fill you up.  they have all the right "good-for-you" breakfast ingredients ...

CEREAL, BACON AND EGGS

as you know, i'm always on the hunt for fun breakfast ideas.  i came across this idea while aimlessly googling around and found a site called Mr. Breakfast...which then led me to the original recipe from Jennifer at her blog Cookin' in the 'Cuse.   i knew these sounded right up my alley...being that there is bacon involved... so i took her recipe and added a few more healthy goodies.

ON-THE-GO BREAKFAST COOKIES

slightly adapted form Cookin' in the 'Cuse 

1/2 lb bacon...6-10 strips

1/2 cup butter...i used 5 Tsp butter and 3 Tsp bacon fat

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup soft packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup white whole wheat flour...AP flour ok

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 cups multi-grain cereal...i used Fiber One Flakes

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 Tbsp flax

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp maple extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook bacon until very crisp, drain well (reserve bacon fat if using) and break into 1/2 inch pieces.  Beat together butter, bacon fat (if using) and both sugars till light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and the extracts  Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking soda; mix into butter mixture.  Stir in bacon, flax-optional, multi-grain flakes and cranberries. 

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Space 2 inches apart.  Bake for 15-18 minutes.  Remove to rack to cool--about 2 minutes, then remove from rack.

0 OATMEAL EGG BAKE w/BACON AND MAPLE SYRUP

another one of my new cold weather favorites...easy and so satisfying.  nothing real gourmet about this one, just good old breakfast ingredients presented in a different way...makes breakfast more fun and feels a little gourmet-ish.  this would be great to throw together for a casual brunch because it's so easy to prepare and it stays quite warm.  this one held up well even after the photo shoot.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED...

your favorite OATMEAL.  cooked. enough for the servings you are making

BACON.  cooked.  enough for garnish...adds a great crunch.  i always have some cooked bacon in the fridge.  what can i say...I LOVE BACON.  check out this BACON CANDY recipe here for a tasty sweet, savory, spicy treat.  can be pre-made and crisped up in the oven.

EGGS

BUTTER

MAPLE SYRUP

INSTRUCTIONS ?

* see notes and excuses at the bottom

fill your serving vessels with the cooked oatmeal (a little butter inside doesn't hurt)  ramekins would work well.  i used this cute little retro cast iron dish that held the heat for quite some time, but anything at least an 1 1/2 inch deep will do.

make a little well for the egg and crack it right in. 

bake in a preheated oven at 370 degrees for approx 15-20 mins.  your cooking time depends on the temp of your cooked oatmeal (your oatmeal should be warm), the type of dish, and how you like your egg. i know everybody likes their eggs different so just keep checking the middle 'till it is to your liking.  i turned the top heating element (not broiler) on for the last five mins.  remember it will keep cooking a little bit after you take it out, so if your not serving right away take that into consideration.

NOTE...i just recooked this and i had the oven on convection 370 degrees for 15 min. and not much was happening except the oatmeal was baking.  then i turned the top element on for about 7 min. that's when the eggs started to cook.  i think the dish and the type of oatmeal really affects the time, so just keep your eye on the prize.  if you've never baked an egg before (i hadn't), i suggest doing a trial run as i did.

while they're in the oven crisp up your bacon get it ready.  you don't want to be waiting on bacon when your eggs are just perfect.  if your not into bacon or don't want to fuss with it some toasted pecans or almonds would be yummy...you just need something that will add a little crunch and texture.

* i know i didn't give you an exact recipe, but i hope you get the idea...the idea is delicious, but my instructions are pretty lacking.  actually, my instructions suck !  sorry about that.  i even tried to do a retest so i could get the timing right, but there are too many little factors.  the first time i just threw it together and thought it was so delicious and tasty...the second go around, i was trying to be too precise.

long story short.....use the idea and flavor combo...not the instructions...and you'll have a delicious breakfast as i just did....maybe it's all about the candied bacon...hmmmmm...

i KNOW it's all about the candied bacon!

0 Bacon Candy

what can i possibly say about this that you havent already imagined. just two simple words...BACON..and...CANDY. might make little sense to the unenlightened few, but once you've crossed the line and seen the light, this concept makes all the sense in the world. as a matter of fact all seems right in my world once sweet and savory are put into play. this is a quick simple way to get that fix. come on...you know it's true..bacon makes everything better.

sweet, savory, spicy...you hit the flavor trifecta

BACON CANDY
lots of versions out there, but this is how i roll...

i like to use THICK sliced applewood smoked bacon
cover a sheet pan with parchment or foil for easier clean up
put slices on a rack that fits pan
sprinkle brown sugar on each slice, a few lumps are fine, they will melt
sprinkle with a little cayenne pepper or cinnamon if you can't take the heat.
put in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until it's good and crispy.
let cool completely before attempting to devour.  melting sugars and sizzling bacon can be a tad detrimental to the palette.  ENJOY !

0 BACON CHEDDER BEER BREAD

Beer Bread..it's like magic. a few ingredients and POOF you have bread...

i was in disbelief. i love attempting something i don't think could possibly work. the basic Beer Bread recipe is only a few ingredients. the recipe that first caught my eye was HERE. sugar, flour and BEER...that's it! now how on earth is that going to become a loaf of bread using a little heat from an oven? i really should have tried this exact recipe first, but i wanted to make it a little bit more healthy. so i went on the search for a beer bread using whole wheat. i found a few and settled on PEANUT BUTTER BOY's Whole Grain Beer Bread recipe found HERE. it sounded so easy and i like the invitation to add any extras yone chooses. i, of course, chose bacon and cheddar. oh, and i threw in about 1/3 cup of oatmeal too (substituted for 1/4 cup of the flour).









YUM...a hearty crunchy crust with a moist dense inside. perfect fresh or toasted. i sprinkled the top with black salt and raw sugar before baking. i REEEEALLY like the black salt. if you can find some, BUY IT!. it' seems more powerful than regular salt and it really adds something to what ever you accent with it...and i use the word accent because baking or cooking with it wouldn't let it shine to it's full potential. i'm crackin' myself up now...back to the bread....

when i took the loaf out of the pan, i thought i might have to get out the chain saw. it felt like a hollow rock, so hard and heavy. once i sliced through the crunchy crust i could tell this was a success.

so i say...if your curiosity gets the best of you, try this hearty bread. add in some of your own flavors. it might be a little plain all by itself, but still good and healthy. you might want to go the white flour way with the butter poured over the top...i'll bet that would be yummmmy. there's all sorts of recipes out there. i just chose this one so i wouldn't feel so guilty gobbling it down with apricot jam every morning. ooooo...the sweet and savory thing really works with this one.

Peanut Butter Boy's recipe found here and copied below for you with my notes to follow.

3 cups whole wheat flour (or WW pastry flour or spelt flour*)

1 cup extras ( optional)

2T raw sugar

1T baking powder

1t salt

1 (12oz) bottle beer (Yuengling, or any other)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375. Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl, making sure to lightly spoon the flour into measuring cups to avoid using too much. Whisk together all the dry ingredients.
2. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 bread pan with butter or cooking spray. Pour beer into the dry mixture and stir to with a wooden spoon. Use your hands to mix once it becomes difficult just until all ingredients are combined. Transfer dough to your bread pan and press down gently so it spreads out evenly. Bake for 1 hour. Let sit for 5 minutes in the pan.
3. Slice thin and spread on butter or crunchy peanut butter. It’s the perfect side to a bowl of Peanut Butter Chili or Peanut Butter Chicken & Vegetable Soup. Leftover bread will stay good for a week, but toast it first to restore the crispiness. You can also freeze the loaf for several weeks.

MY NOTES...i added 1/3 cup oatmeal and used 2 3/4 cups WW flour instead of 3.

i added a rounded 1/2 cup crumbled bacon and a large 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese,

sprinkle with black salt and raw sugar before baking.

0 BACON CASSEROLE BREAD

Bacon Casserole Bread.....

i'm thinkin' bacon?... YUM...casserole?...YUM...warm bread?...double YUM YUM...

well, i'm definitely a novice bread baker so i had no idea what i was getting myself into. by the title of the recipe i thought i was going to create some kind of delicious bacon-ie, casserole-ie, moist-ie, dense type of bread dish...woops...wrong. as i started, i soon realised i was making good old yeast rising bread with some bacon in it. after i got over that fact and moved on, i actually had some fun knowing that this would be my first bread baking experience (and bacon was involved). now i know why there's fun lovin' bread bakers out there. they get addicted to that lovely aroma that seems to follow you around the house while the bread is rising, baking and finally resting and lying in wait.

this recipe turned out to be a winner with the rest of the family, however, i don't think anyone even knew it had anything to do with bacon. only when you get a small nugget of bacon in a bite, do you question your taste buds. all in all, it's a great bread for breakfast with an egg on it, or perhaps a monkey's delight peanut butter and banana sandwich(PBB) and i bet any kind of panini would be fabulous. the texture,weight and flavor was perfect toasted or fresh.


BACON CASSEROLE BREAD
recipe found here and copied below

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups milk, scalded
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons bacon drippings
2 packages active dry yeast, about 2 tablespoons
1/2 cup water, warmed to about 105°
1 egg, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup cooked crumbled bacon

Preparation:
Combine milk, salt, 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar, and bacon drippings. Cool. Combine yeast, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and warmed water. When yeast mixture begins to foam, add to cooled milk mixture. Add beaten egg, all purpose flour and whole wheat flour; beat for 3 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; cover and let rise for 45 minutes. Stir in bacon. Beat for 2 minutes then pour into a 2-quart casserole or two glass loaf pans about 9 x 5 x 3-inches. Let rise until batter reaches top of pan(s). Slash top diagonally a few times with a sharp knife. Bake at 375° for 35 to 40 minutes.

0 BACON BANANA PEANUT GRANOLA BAR

i like to call this "THE ELVIS 2010"

maybe if Elvis was still alive in 2010 and trying to be a bit healthy he would start his day with one of these babies...

GRANOLA, WHEATGERM, BACON, BANANA CHIPS and SALTED VIRGINIA PEANUTS (and a touch of cayenne)

i know...i like to put bacon in alot of things, but this one is a winner. i've already made them 3 times and just today i had a friend ask if he could order a months worth. he said it was the best granola bar he'd ever had. his friend said his mouth was exploding with flavors. granola bars are easy to make and you can't help but feel a bit healthy eating them even though you know there's a little sugar and butter involved along with extras you decde to add.

i used Alton Brown's Granola Bar(2005) recipe for the base.

i don't find myself using Alton's recipes that often. he tends to get a bit too detailed for my liking, but this type of recipe is the kind you can mess with and make your own...as i did.

below, i have copied his recipe found here or you can click on this and read the full site with the comments of others.

Ingredients
8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats, approximately 2 cups
1 1/2 ounces raw sunflower seeds, approximately 1/2 cup
3 ounces sliced almonds, approximately 1 cup

i used 1 cup slightly chopped salted virginia peanuts-no seeds, no almonds
1 1/2 ounces wheat germ, approximately 1/2 cup
6 ounces honey, approximately 1/2 cup
1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup packed
1-ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
2 teaspoons vanilla extract-i used 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp maple
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit, any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries

i used approx 1 c. broken banana chips and 1/2 c. dried apricots

the 3rd time i added 1/2 c. peanut butter chips

and scant 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

BACON...i almost forgot about the BACON...1 package(12 oz.)center cut

crispy! crumbled into small pieces

Directions
Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass*** baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ onto a half-sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down(i took this step seriously and pressed down really good and hard, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes.(i left mine in untill the edges were starting to brown and the top was golden) Remove from the oven(i pressed down slightly again) and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

***the 1st time i used a 9x9 cake pan and they came out great, but just a bit thick. i did, however, like them because they were different...like a cube of goodness. the next time i used a 9x13 cake pan or roasting pan, also metal, and they came out great as well. i just got more squares out of the deal. i think it all depends on how you like your squares and how many extras you add in. just make sure you don't go overboard because you want the whole thing to have enough "goop" to keep it all together or you'll end up with loose granola. great granola, probably the best you've ever had, but just not the bar we're shootin' for here.

0 COLLARD GREENS AND BLACK EYED PEAS

these collards are the real deal, made with the simmering ham hocks and all. well, they're about as real as i know how being that i'm a girl who grew up in Newport Beach, CA. so now that i just admitted that, maybe they aren't so real after all, but the dish came out reeeeally tastey, and i can't wait to use those ugly ham hocks again...the rich smokey flavor is delicious and would lend itself to so many things. ya just don't get that same depth when you use just bacon. as you can see in the photo, i did use some bacon, but that was just because #1 i had some already cooked, and #2 because i thought it needed somemore meat action.

the broth...or liquor, as it's called, is a whole 'nuther story! i found myself slurpping up the last drops like a thirsty puppy. if you've ever worked with smoked ham hocks you know what i mean, but this was my first time. as a matter of fact, i just went to the market across town this morning to pick me up a few more of these babies. i can't wait to get started with them and try something new. i'm thinkin' some kind of smokey stew or thick rich soup.

the black eyed peas?...well, i did kinda cheat on those. i used canned, so the only one i cheated was myself. i think one of the main flavors of southern style beans is the slow soaking and cooking and infusing the flavor of the broth, or liquer, that they're cooked in...so, yes i did cheat myself out of that step. i wanted my collards that night and the beans should be properly soaked over night. i couldn't wait. i know you can put the said beans in a pot, bring to a boil and remove from heat and let sit for an hour or two, but still i went for the can...i didn't miss anything, but i bet they would have been just that much better. next time.

this is what i did for these...
COLLARD GREENS AND BLACK EYED PEAS

adapted from B. Smith Cooks Southern Style

Southern-Style Collard GreensYields 8 servings
Collard greens are one of the oldest members of the cabbage family. This recipe is reminiscent of my mother's. She seemed to let her greens simmer away for hours! I make mine with ham hocks, which help tenderize the greens and add flavor, along with a little brown sugar to take away any bitterness. A lot of Southern families serve their greens with a side of bread to dip in the cooking broth, known as pot-likker. The broth is packed with vitamins and refers to the leftover "liquor" in the pot, after your greens have cooked. It not only tastes good — it's really good for you!
4 smoked ham hocks, 1 large onion, thinly sliced, 3 bay leaves, 4 pounds collard greens, Chicken stock or broth, or water, as needed, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1. Rinse the ham hocks and score the skin in several places. In a heavy 8- to 10-quart pot, combine the hocks, onion, and bay leaves with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the hocks are falling apart.
2. Remove the ham hocks from the cooking liquid and reserve the meat, discarding the bones, skin, and fat. Strain the cooking liquid, skim off the fat (i like to use cheese cloth with a strainer because it seems to grab some of the fat as well as strain thouroughly), and return it to the pot.
3. While the ham hocks are cooking, remove the stems from the collard greens and roughly chop; set aside. i rolled the leaves together and made 1 inch slices. your preference i suppose.
4. Add enough chicken stock or water to the cooking liquid to make 6 cups. Add the chopped collard greens, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and reserved ham. here is were i added the black eyed peas. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the greens are very tender. Serve immediately.

"immediately" is B's rule...i had no idea, being this was my first time with greens, how long this was going to take and i was done quite a bit early, so i ended up reheating and, of course, no harm no foul. i even think they were better and better each day they hung out in all the smokey ham hock goodness. i also added some precooked crispy bacon...for good measure. you know my rule...a little, or alot, of bacon never hurt anything....