Bacon is meat candy

I dont get to cook with bacon much because of living with a muslim, however i will often use halal beef bacon or make two versions of the same dish just because I know its not the same without it.

Here are two of my favorite bacon recipes.

The trick that i learned about potato salad is not my mom's. I discovered it on accident while trying to be prepared for a company pot luck. Boil the potatoes the night before. in their skins. dran them and leave them out all night. this makes the perfect flavor and texture and it is not as good when I make an impromptu version. also, the mayonnaise used is key, im also picky about the pickles. the only prepared mayo that  like is Best Foods. This is a really easy recipe.

Mom's potato salad

about 10 potatoes, boiled and cooled completely (russets are best for this recipe)
1 package bacon, chopped and cooked of course
1/2 chopped onion (optional)
2 large whole pickles ( I prefer Farman's home style kosher dills)
Enough Best Foods mayonaise to moisten all the potatoes (between 1/2-1 cup)
pepper

Peel potatoes and break into pieces. grate pickes directly into the bowl of taters. add just a splash of pickle juice. add onions, bacon and mayonnaise. season with pepper to taste. mix and refrigerate.

and that's Lori's potato salad. which everyone loves.

Second Bacon recipe is a Quiche Lorraine and a vegetarian version. I used to make this with frozen broccoli, which is also good, but last time I used fresh and its like, totally better. I forget about quiche all the time but its actually really good and easy. And its NOT just for girls. especially when full of bacon. I like the Marie Callender's pre-formed frozen pie shells, but feel free to make your own...

1 cup broccoli, steamed until just cooked (better undercooked than over cooked)
1/2 package bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or cheese blend. or whatever kid of cheese you like. gorgonzola might even be good. or gruyere.

6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
pepper to taste (optional)

frozen pie shell.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. prepare bacon and broccoli. chop broccoli in small pieces. layer the bacon and broccoli in the pie crust. bacon on the bottom, broccoli on top.

beat remaining ingredients, except cheese, until very smooth. stir in cheese and pour over broccoli and bacon. bake for 40 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center. halfway through cooking cover with aluminum foil, to avoid burning the top layer.

Smoked paprika Shrimp with tomato and vegetables

1 pound decent sized shrimp
1/2 onion, cut into rings
1 bell pepper, yellow red or orange julienned
1 cup chickpeas canned or fresh (fresh is better, Costco has them now)
2 large tomatoes or 4 romas, chopped
4 cloves garlic, sliced
3 tbsp butter
2 tsp smoked paprika
salt and pepper to taste

first, saute onions and peppers in a little oil until the start to soften. Add garlic and keep stirring until fragrant and just golden. Add chickpeas and tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. cover with water and simmer for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile mix thawed shrimp and paprika and let flavors meld. When all vegetables are soft add shrimp and butter and continue to cook until the shrimp is pink. don't overcook or you have rubber dog toy shrimps.

serve over rice.

Coffee and Salted Caramel Brownies in an instant.

Well, i just finished a year of school and now can focus on slacking off again. After a year of sonic, taco bell, and pizza I am ready to make some yummy home-made fare again. I'm sure my family is equally ready as well, and I am happy that my freedom comes just in time for fresh fruits and vegetables. Cherry season is coming up, stay tuned for some pink stained recipes. For now I must share this half home-made half cheater from a box gooey sweet sticky salty rich and amazing pan of diet killing calories that i invented and cooked within 20 minutes! (while waiting for a date with a  group final project.)

Ingredients:

Brownies
1 box family sized brownie mix of choice
2-3Tbsp Turkish ground coffee (or instant coffee granuals)

Mix brownies accordint to package directions, along with the coffee. pour in your pan and set aside.

Caramel 

1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk (i used whole, i cant guarantee results with others, cream may be good too)


Bring butter and sugar to a boil on high heat. when well incorporated remove from heat and add milk. Return to heat and allow to boil until it coats a spoon somewhat thickly. You do not want it to hard set. Think a thin ice cream topping. drizzle some of the caramel on top of the uncooked brownies and bake according to directions. halfway through baking, or when the top is well set, pour remaining caramel over the top evenly and sprinkle with kosher salt. Return to the oven. Cook an additional 5 minutes longer than the package directions.


cool completely before eating.


Total prep time, 20 minutes.

Why packaged brownie mix Chadya? I thought you were all about cooking from scratch?

True, but, like talking to myself on my blog, some things just happen, regardless of their ability to be accepted by the status quo.

There are three reasons. 1. I had 30 minutes before i had to meet my study group for some online collaboration. 2. I am a horrible cake baker, as i tend to over mix, not measure, and ad lib. when it comes to cake its always boxed cake mix with a Chadya twist thrown in. 3. Brownie mix is one thing that I think is already perfect and does not need me to make complicated. why do it the hard way when the easy way is so yum?


And that my friends. Is my return to food bloggery.


maybe i will post pics later if i feel like torturing people.