Caramelized Bacon

 

I’m torn about sharing this recipe, because it is so incredibly artery clogging. It comes, obviously, from the Barefoot Contessa who has built an empire on heart-stopping food. But, moral quandaries aside, the bacon is ridiculously good. And it’s Super Bowl weekend. And if you make this for dudes, they will swoon at your feet. (It’s a theory I tested recently at an all-boys dinner for my husband’s birthday.)

Caramelized Bacon

From Barefoot Contessa Foolproof

Makes 15 to 20 Hors D’Oeurvres

1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup chopped or whole pecans
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 pound thick-sliced applewood-smoked bacon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil (for easy cleaning) and place a wire baking rack on top.

Combine the brown sugar and pecans in a food processor and process until the pecans are finely ground. Add the salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper and pulse to combine. Add the maple syrup and pulse again to moisten the crumbs.

Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise and line up the pieces on the baking rack without touching. With a small spoon, evenly spread the pecan mixture on top of each piece of bacon, using all of the mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is very browned but not burnt. If it’s underbaked, the bacon won’t crisp as it cools.

While it hot, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside to cool. Serve at room temperature.

Vegetable Tian = Pure Comfort

Before you scream “seasonality,” I know, I know! Tomatoes in February—the horror. But my local Whole Foods has some pretty decent hothouse offerings, so I made this comforting and delicious vegetable tian from Ina Garten the other night. And really – if you can’t find good tomatoes, sub in sliced celery root or or fennel. Note: I cooked everything stovetop in a Le Creuset braising dish, and then put the whole thing into the oven—one pan, no hassle.

Ina Garten’s Vegetable Tian

Olive oil
2 large yellow onions, cut in half and sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound medium round potatoes, unpeeled
3/4 pound zucchini
1 1/4 pounds medium tomatoes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs
2 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Brush a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish with olive oil. In a medium saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the onions over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for  another minute. Spread the onion mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.

Slice the potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes in 1/4-inch thick slices. Layer them alternately in the dish on top
of the onions, fitting them tightly, making only 1 layer.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme leaves, and thyme sprigs and drizzle with 1 more tablespoon of olive oil. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Uncover the dish, remove the thyme sprigs, sprinkle the cheese on top, and bake for another 30 minutes until browned. Serve warm.