Bacon

 Super easy to make, but takes about a week or more.   You can make it maple flavored or just about any flavor you want.   One of my favorites is pepper bacon.  

We could not find pork belly in the grocery store, but did find it at our local meat market.   I also had to order the pink curing salt #1 from amazon, but some grocery stores do carry it.

BACON

(5 pounds)

Ingredients:

*5 pounds pork belly, skin removed. 

*1/3 cup kosher salt

*1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

*1 teaspoon pink curing salt (prague #1)  **not pink Himalayan salt** 

Directions:

~In a small bowl, mix kosher salt, brown sugar, and pink curing salt together (make sure it's mixed well).

~Rub mixture all over pork belly coating every area. 

~Place into a 2 gallon zip-loc bag and seal, squeezing out as much air as possible.

~Place bag into a 8x10 pan and refrigerate.

~Refrigerate for 7-10 days, flipping once a day (once bacon is firm to the touch it's ready).

~Throughly rinse salt from bacon.

OVEN METHOD:

~Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

~Place pork belly on a baking sheet, fat side up.

~Bake for 2-3 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees. 

~Remove from oven and refrigerate until cool.

~Slice bacon against the grain to desired thickness, with a sharp knife.

~Divide bacon up, and freeze (I do mine in 1/2 pound packages).

~Fry bacon in oven or frying pan to desired doneness.  

Smoker Method:

~Preheat smoker to 180 degrees.

~Place pork belly fat side up on rack.

~Cook for 3-4 hours, our until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees.

~Add more of your favorite wood chips a 2-3 times while cooking.

~Remove from smoker and refrigerate until cool.

~Slice bacon against the grain to desired thickness, with a sharp knife.

~Divide bacon up, and freeze (I do mine in 1/2 pound packages).

~Fry bacon in oven or frying pan to desired doneness.  

Flavor Options:

~maple flavoring - add 1/4-1/2 cup pure maple syrup to curing mixture before rubbing on pork belly.

~Pepper Bacon - add 2 tablespoons coarse pepper to curing mixture before rubbing on pork belly.

~Teriyaki Bacon - 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, to curing mixture before rubbing on pork belly.

~Honey Chipotle Bacon - add 1/4 cup honey and 2 teaspoons chipotle powder to curing mixture before rubbing on pork belly.

roasted chicken sausage and veggies

You can leave out the chicken or leave out the sausage if you want.   If you leave out the sausage you should add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

ROASTED CHICKEN SAUSAGE AND VEGGIES

(serves 6)

Ingredients:

*4 large links Italian sausage (mild or hot)

*1 tablespoon olive oil

*4 bone in chicken thighs or bone in chicken breasts halves

*1 green bell pepper, deseeded and sliced

*1 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced thick

*1 yellow bell peppers, deseeded and sliced thick

*1 medium red onion, peeled and sliced thick

*1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered

* 1 (24 ounce bag) Petite Medley potatoes pierced with a fork or 6-8 red skinned potatoes,  yellow  potatoes, washed and quartered 

*1 teaspoon dried oregano 

*1 teaspoon dried basil

*1 tablespoon dried parsley 

*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

*2 teaspoons kosher salt

*1 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

~Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

~Cook sausage for 3-4 minutes on one side.

~Put a couple small slits in sausage and then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

~Turn off burner and remove sausage from pan and place on a cutting board.  

~Cool for about 5 minutes.

~Cut sausages into slices about 2 - 2 1/2  inches thick and return sausage to pan along with the juices that run out of it.

~Cut 2 slashes down to the bone on the skin side of each piece of chicken.

~In a large bowl,  mix peppers, chicken, onions, potatoes, sausage and juices from sausage, 2 tablespoons olive oil and seasonings, mix until everything is well coated with olive oil and seasonings.

~Transfer to a large roasting pan.

~Arrange the chicken so that it's on top and skin side up.

~Arrange the potatoes towards the top too.

~Bake for 1-hour, or until everything is caramelized and fork tender (internal temperature of chicken is 165 degrees).

Banana Jam

This is good on toast, bagels, pancakes, waffles, french toast, ice cream or a peanut butter sandwich.  Some recipes will tell you that 

BANANA JAM

(makes 2 pints)

Ingredients:

*1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice or key lime juice

*3 1/2 - 4 cups firm ripe bananas, sliced

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1/4 cup light brown sugar

*1/2 cup water

*1/2 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*pinch of freshly grated nutmeg or pinch of dried nutmeg

*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or 1 tablespoon rum

Stove Top Directions:

~Peel and slice the bananas and put them directly into the lime juice and stir to coat them.

~In a 2 1/2 quart sauce pan, measure sugars into water.

~Cook over medium heat, and stir until the sugar has dissolve (cover the first 2 minutes to prevent the sugar from crystalizing on pan.

~Bring the sugar water to a boil.

~Add bananas, cinnamon stick, and nutmeg (I like to put the bananas and lime juice into a food processor first to blend it well to make it smooth.  If you like small bits of bananas in your jam, then there is no reason to do that).

~Cook over medium-low heat for 30-45 minute, or until thick, stirring with a wooden spoon every 5 minutes  (towards the end you may need to stir it every 2-3 minutes, so it doesn't stick).

~Jam is done when you scrape the spoon across the bottom of the paan, and it leaves a track that closes slowly.

~Remove from heat and remove cinnamon stick.

~Stir in vanilla or rum.

~Carefully fill hot, sterilized jars with hot jam, leaving a 1/4 - inch headspace.

~Place on lids and screw on rings.

~Allow to cool and then refrigerate or freeze (will thicken as it cools).

Instant Pot Directions:

~Peel and slice the bananas and put them directly into the lime juice and stir to coat them.

~Set instant pot to sauté mode on high.

~Measure sugars into water into liner pan.

~Sauté and stir until the sugar has dissolve (cover the first 2 minutes to prevent the sugar from crystalizing on pan.

~Bring the sugar water to a boil.

~Add bananas, cinnamon stick, and nutmeg (I like to put the bananas and lime juice into a food processor first to blend it well to make it smooth.  If you like small bits of bananas in your jam, then there is no reason to do that).

~Cook over medium-low heat for 30-40 minute, or until thick, stirring with a wooden spoon every 5 minutes  (towards the end you may need to stir it every 2-3 minutes, so it doesn't stick).

~Jam is done when you scrape the spoon across the bottom of the paan, and it leaves a track that closes slowly.

~Remove from heat and remove cinnamon stick.

~Stir in vanilla or rum.

~Carefully fill hot, sterilized jars with hot jam, leaving a 1/4 - inch headspace.

~Place on lids and screw on rings.

~Allow to cool and then refrigerate or freeze (will thicken as it cools).

Strawberry Milkshake

 I love strawberry shakes, but only with fresh strawberries.   Many strawberry milk are made with strawberry syrup that is made with artificial strawberry flavoring.  

STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE

(makes 4 cups)

Ingredients:

*2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced (I measure after slicing)

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

*1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional) (I only use when I use out of season strawberries)

*3 cups vanilla ice cream

*1/2 cup whole milk

*1 cup whip cream (optional) (I prefer homemade whip cream)

Directions:

~In a medium bowl, add strawberries, vanilla extract, and sugar.

~Mix and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

~Place strawberries, ice cream, and milk into blender or food processor and blend until smooth, about 40-60 seconds.

~Pour into glasses (2-4 servings depending on how big of a shake you want.  We make 4 servings).

~Put a dollop of whip cream on top and serve.

Lemon Pound Cake with Blackberry Sauce

 My normal pound I use a pound of butter in it, but not this one.   If fact it has no butter.   I started making this when I made an Angel Food Cake, because the angel food cake takes 12 eggs whites.   This is a great way to use up the egg yolks.   I put a blackberry sauce on this, but you can put a lemon glaze, or strawberries, or raspberries, or eat it plain.

LEMON POUND CAKE with BLACKBERRY SAUCE

(serves 10-12)

Cake Ingredients:

*12 large egg yolks, room temperature

*3 cups all-purpose flour

*2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*zest from 2 large lemons

*juice from 2 large lemons

*cold water (amount will depend on how much lemon juice you get from the lemons)

Blackberry Sauce Ingredients:

*4 cups fresh or frozen blackberries

*1 cup granulated sugar

*zest from one lemon

*1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 

*3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Cake Directions:

~Spray a 12 cup bundt pan or tube pan with cooking spray.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Pour lemon juice into a 1 cup measuring cup, add enough water to equal 1 cup.

~In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt together.

~In a large mixing bowl, beat yolks until fluffy, around 2 minutes.

~Gradually add in sugar and mix on high for 2 minutes (scrape sides of bowl as needed).

~Reduce speed to low, add lemon zest, vanilla and lemon water mixture.

~Gradually, but quickly add in flour mixture and mix for about 2 minutes or until flour is blended in (do not over mix and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed).

~Pour cake batter into prepared pan.

~Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake.

~Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing from pan.

~Loosen sides of cake with a spatula or table knife.

~Remove from pan, and cool completely on wire rack.

Blackberry Sauce Directions:

~In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice and cornstarch.

~Mix sugar, lemon zest, and blackberries into a saucepan. 

~Cook over medium heat for 2-4 minutes or until berries are breaking down and mixture is boiling.

~Whisk in cornstarch mixture.

~Stir until mixture thickens.

~Remove from heat and allow to cool.

~Serve up cake and drizzle desired amount of blackberry sauce over cake.

Blackberry Sauce

 Good over ice-cream or angel food cake or lemon pound cake.

BLACKBERRY SAUCE 

(makes about 2 cups)

Ingredients:

*4 cups fresh or frozen blackberries

*1 cup granulated sugar

*zest from one lemon

*1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 

*3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

~In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice and cornstarch.

~Mix sugar, lemon zest, and blackberries into a saucepan. 

~Cook over medium heat for 2-4 minutes or until berries are breaking down and mixture is boiling.

~Whisk in cornstarch mixture.

~Stir until mixture thickens.

~Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Fudge Frosting

 My mom and grandma used to make this frosting.   One of my favorites.  I like to add some chopped walnuts or pecans to the frosting when i'm frosting brownies.  

FUDGE FROSTING

(frosts a 9x13 inch cake or two 8 inch cakes )

Ingredients:

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1 cup unsweetened cocoa

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1 cup whole milk

*1/2 cup butter, sliced into pieces 

* 1/4 cup light corn syrup

*1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

*3 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

~In a medium-large saucepan, mix granulated sugar and cocoa together until well mixed.

~Stir in milk, butter, light corn syrup, and salt.

~Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

~Remove from heat, and cool for 45-50 minutes.

~Beat in vanilla and powdered sugar until mixture is smooth and spreading consistency.

~Frost cooled cake.

Hot Hamburger Sandwich

 Easy to make and a great way to use up left over mashed potatoes.

HOT HAMBURGER SANDWICH

(serves 2)

Ingredients:

*8 ounces ground beef, divided into two patties

*1/2 small onion, sliced thin

*2 tablespoons butter

*4 slices of bacon, cooked and cut in half 

*2 slices toast, cut diagonally 

*8-10 roasted mushrooms or sauté and can slice if preferred (optional)

*2 cups mashed potatoes, warmed up or freshly made

*1 cup beef gravy

Directions:

~In a medium skillet sauté onions & 2 tablespoons butter, until onions are a golden brown, stirring often.

~Remove from heat and set aside.

~Fry up hamburger patties too desired doneness.

~Place cut toast on plate, leaving a couple inches space between them.

~Cut burger in half and place over toast.

~Place a large scoop of hot mashed potatoes between the two pieces of toast.

~Drizzle desired amount of gravy over hamburger and mashed potatoes.

~Add bacon, onions, and bacon over potatoes.

~Serve hot.

Pickled Onions

 Great on salads, burgers and subs.  So easy and quick to make.

PICKLED ONIONS

(makes 1 pint)

Ingredients:

*1 large red onion

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1/2 cup water

*1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

*1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

*2 tablespoons honey 

*2 teaspoons salt

*1/8-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

~Slice the onions very thin.

~Pack the onions and garlic into a clean 1 pint jar.

~In a small saucepan, mix  water, vinegars, honey, salt and pepper flakes and bring to a boil

~Gently pour into mason jar over onions.

~Slide a butter knife down the sides of the jar to remove any air bubbles.

~Place lid on jar and refrigerate for over night before using.  

~Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Almond Joy Fudge

Super easy to make.   Just a small piece is needed to cure any chocolate craving.  

ALMOND JOY FUDGE

(makes about 36 pieces)

Ingredients:

*1 (10 ounce) package of dark chocolate chips

*1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

*1/2  cup butter 

*1 (2 ounce) bag blanched slivered almonds

*1 1/4 cup shredded coconut

 Directions:

~Line a 8-inch baking dish with waxed paper or parchment paper.   You can just spray the pan with cooking spray, but it's easier to get out if you line the pan.

~In the microwave or over a double boiler, melt then chocolate.  If using a microwave,  stir chocolate after every 15 seconds.  Do not over cook.

~In a medium saucepan, pour the sweetened condensed milk in and add butter.

~Cook over low heat, stirring continuously  until butter is melted.

~Remove from heat and stir in melted chocolate, almonds and  coconut.

~Pour into prepared pan and smooth out fudge.

~Chill in refrigerator until firm.

~Remove fudge from pan and cut into squares.

~I store my fudge in an airtight container in the fridge.  

Grilled Steak Fries

 Nice healthy way to have fries.   These turn out crispier if you soak them first and then dry them off.

In this recipe I just have you adding salt & pepper, but you can add any seasonings you like.   

 (ignore the burnt ends in this photo.  I got a little busy and forgot to flip them)

GRILLED STEAK FRIES

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

*4 russet potatoes

*1/4 cup vegetable oil

*desired amount kosher salt (I use about 1 tablespoon)

*desired amount ground black pepper (I use about 1 1/2  teaspoons)

Directions:

~Cut potatoes lengthwise.

~Cut each half into thirds or halves depending on how thick the potato is.

~Place potatoes into a bowl.

~Pour vegetable oil over potatoes.

~Sprinkle salt & pepper over potatoes.

~Mix well, so potatoes are coated well.

~Preheat grill to about 400 degrees (medium-high heat).

~Place potatoes on grill in single layer cut side down,  cook for 6-10 minutes.

~Flip so the other cut side is down,  and cook for another 6-10 minutes.

~Flip so that skin side in down and cook for another 6-10 minutes.  

Variations:

`add garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to mix before cooking.

`add hot sauce to vegetable oil.

`add a little lemon juice to vegetable oil

`brush melted butter and sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese to hot fries as soon as you remove them from the heat.

Mock Chick Fil-a Grilled Chicken Sandwich Delux

If you are not a pickle lover, don't let the pickle juice scare you.   It won't come out tasting like dill pickles.   If you don't believe me, then substitute with apple cider vinegar.  I like to pair this with either grilled steak fries, sweet potato fries, or waffle fries.

GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH DELUX

(makes 4)

Ingredients:

*2 chicken breasts

*1/2 cup dill pickle juice or 1/4 cup dill pickle juice

*1/2 cup water

*1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

*1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

*1 teaspoon smoked paprika (can use paprika)

*1/4 cup orange juice

*1/4 cup chicken stock

*1 tablespoon molasses

*1 tablespoon kosher salt

*1 tablespoon grape juice 

*2 hamburger buns

*4 slices colby jack cheese

*lettuce

*tomato, sliced

*8 slices bacon, cooked crisp

*Dill pickle slices (optional)

*Bleu cheese crumbles (optional)

Directions:

~Cut chicken breast in half lengthwise and then butterfly.

~In a large zip-loc bag mix dill pickle juice, water, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, orange juice, chicken stock, molasses, kosher salt, and grape juice.

~Add the  chicken breasts to marinade, seal bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

~Heat grill to medium-high (or griddle).

~Brush grates with olive oil.

~Cook chicken breast for 2-4 minutes (depending on how thick the chicken is).

~Flip chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 175 degrees.

~Toast bun until golden brown.

~Remove from heat.

~Add lettuce, tomato, and dill pickle.

~Add chicken and bacon.

~Spread desired condiment on top bun (I like to use honey roasted bbq sauce)

Mock Chick Fil-a Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce

 I use this recipe for my grilled chicken sandwiches.  Also goes great on chicken.  Tastes like Chick-fil-a honey roasted bbq dipping sauce.

HONEY ROASTED BBQ SAUCE

(makes 2 )

Ingredients:

*1/2 cup vegetable oil

*1/3 cup honey

*2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

*2 teaspoons ketchup

*2 teaspoons granulated sugar

*1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/4 teaspoon onion powder

*1/4 cup white vinegar

*1 teaspoon hickory liquid smoke flavoring 

*1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

*2 egg yolks

*2 teaspoons water 

*2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

~In a medium saucepan, combine, vegetable oil, honey, dijon mustard, ketchup, sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder together.

~Cook over medium heat, bringing mixture to a boil, stirring continuously.

~Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

~As mixture is cooling, whisk vinegar, water, liquid smoke, and lemon juice together.

~Slowly drizzle cooled bbq mixture into egg mixture, whisking quickly as you do.

~Add in cornstarch to desired thickness.

Easy version, close to chick fil-a

*1 cup mayonnaise 

*1/4 cup dijon mustard

*1/8 cup honey

*1/3 cup your favorite barbecue sauce 

*1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/4 teaspoon pepper

*1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

~Whisk all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.