Bacon Wrapped Pretzels

I first made this recipe four years ago for a party.   To date, it is hands down, the most requested recipe in my repertoire. My sister in law even likes to hide them as they come out of the oven.  The combination of crunchy salty pretzels and the sweet and spicy flavor from the bacon can almost undo any sense of manners or decorum.

Everyone who knows me knows I will wrap anything possible in bacon. Here are some previous  recipes in case you forgot or haven't seen them yet:

 spicy-apricot-bourbon-pork-roast and prosciutto-bacon-wrapped-sweet-potatoes

 crack on a stick, this is my normal go-to recipe for parties. My friends beg me to make these or my asparagus version, This weekend I had the party in Virginia and I know they're my sissy in laws favorite so I decided to whip a couple batches up. Only one problem, I went to three different stores and couldn't find the breadsticks. 


Instead of throwing a fit panicking, I saw a package of pretzels that were roughly the same size and I decided to just wing it. Happy accident. They were so delicious, at least the 1 I got to try. I swear people must inhale these, this can be the only logical conclusion for when I took the 2nd batch out of the oven and went to look for a plate, turned around and the cookie sheet was empty! I'm not bitter really glad everyone seemed to love them too.

At first these always bring about the same response "bacon...on a pretzel" and it always is accompanied by a look that insinuates they are under the impression that I have lost my ever-loving mind(does anyone else use this saying? tell me I'm not alone in this) then they take that first bite and are overwhelmed with love for me. That's right. Love, adoration, every other good thought you can think of. 

Pretty simple,  I will stop rambling now so you can discover how to make these for yourself.

Ingredients

1 bag pretzel sticks

1 package bacon(I prefer maple and it has to be thinly cut)

 2 oz bbq sauce

 1 oz spicy brown mustard

 1 oz bourbon

 2 tbsp brown sugar
 1/2 tbsp chili powder

apricot jam(optional)

 Preheat oven to 350', cut the bacon in half, wrap each piece with bacon and lay on pan(foil lines are much easier to clean and you need a cookie sheet that has a lip so the grease doesn't drip while baking) In a small, microwave-safe bowl, take bbq sauce, mustard and 1/2 tbsp apricot jam, whisk together and add the bourbon. Heat for 10-15 seconds. Brush the tops of the pretzels w/the sauce. Sprinkle with brown sugar/chili powder.  mixture. Place in oven and bake for 15-18 min(when it starts browning you know it's ready) using a fork flip them over, brush with sauce & sprinkle w/brown sugar/chili and bake another 10-15 min. 

Once you get the hang of it, you can do this really quickly. And you can really make the sauce to your taste, if you don't want to use bourbon, use whatever your preference is, just needs something to thin the sauce out a bit. But I love bourbon. Like, almost as much as bacon. Could basically be a toss-up.  You can definitely make these ahead of time and place in the fridge.  Just abstain from brushing the sauce on till right before you bake them. That part takes all of two minutes.

 I just made your day. You just don't know it yet, it's cool though cause I am here to fill you in. Now go forth and make these puppies. like yesterday. 

linking up with Delicious Dishes

Sweet N Spicy Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes

I do love a recipe challenge, almost as much as I love bacon. Ergo, today's recipe is one of my favorites. I am participating in a bi monthly recipe challenge and this months ingredient is potatoes. I love me some potatoes and I will have 40 some recipes to look through and make these next few weeks. 

When I was deciding what to create,  I went round and round with a few ideas and then remembered I had this recipe post in my drafts from a long time ago. I looked it over and ,after gasping in horror, once I spied my photos, I decided this was definitely the recipe I wanted to go with and it was also the perfect time to practice my food photography on one of my first recipes. Slowly, I am getting better at capturing good shots. 

I am still learning as I go with my cameras and interestingly enough, I preferred the ones I took with my phone (galaxy 6) and so I went with those for this post. I hope they do justice to this simple appetizer because I promise, it is simple, yet delicious! This is also a recipe that you can play around with the spices to perfect it to your taste. 

Ingredients
2 medium/large sweet potatoes
1 package bacon
1 1/2 tbsp bourbon
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp chili powder

preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Cut the potatoes somewhat thin, in rounds. Cut each slice of bacon in 3rds. ( if your slices are little thicker, you can cut your bacon in half) wrap the bacon around the slices and place on the baking sheet.  

In a small bowl, combine the bourbon, brown sugar, and chili powder. ( if you want it more sweet or more spicy, adjust the spice amounts to your taste. also, if you do not want to use bourbon, use melted butter) Once combined, using a basting brush, brush the mixture onto the bacon. 

Place the potatoes in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and flip potatoes over and repeat the basting process. 

Cook for 15-20 minutes or until done. 

These are great for a dinner party or get together. I also sometimes use prosciutto basted in olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt and pepper. This is a dish that you really cannot go wrong with and can make completely to your taste. 

Now, try not to spend so much time salivating on all of these other posts that you get nothing done today. I can see that happening to me!

An InLinkz Link-up

Bacon, Sausage & Apple Skewers

These make me think of fall. The smell emitting from my kitchen as these baked was so welcoming. Ok. I suppose I should be honest. If it has bacon it is welcoming, that's just a rule. Bacon makes everything better. Along with butter. and my other favorite...butter. My thighs hate me. My tummy loves me. I suppose it is a draw.

I adapted this recipe from one I found in the back of  sausage package, it called for dried apricots and an apricot sauce...While that sounded delicious in its own right... the apples and sausage combine to add the perfect hint of fall to your palate. And the apple cider whiskey sauce completes the marriage of autumn flavors. And it was really easy to make. if we do not count the injury from the not so friendly skewers. 

PSA alert...do not make these while your best friend is in town visiting. You will stab yourself and make a bloody mess. And you will only be able to find a candy land band aid. Guess what, I would make these again and again;) my kitchen smelled that good. 

Ingredients

Skewers

1 package sausage links (sliced)

8 slices bacon

1 apple, cut into cubes

8 skewers

whiskey sauce

2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp chili powder

2 tbsp dijon mustard

1 1/2 tbsp apple cider

1 tbsp whiskey

Pre cook sausage for 10 min in gently boiling water. Drain and cut into 1/2 inch slices.  Alternate the sausage and apples on the skewers, weaving the bacon back and forth in a ribbon like fashion between them. If you grill, it would be 3-4 minutes each side. Or I baked them for 15 minutes on 350 each side, basting every few minutes with the sauce.

To make sauce, in a sauce pan, dump brown sugar, chili powder and mustard and whisk on high heat, after thoroughly combined add in apple cider and whiskey( I used bourbon, I know you are all shocked) Heat through for about 2-3 minutes, stirring.

and then proceed to partake in some goodness. and if you plan to grill these, just soak the wooden skewers in water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Linking up with Simply Sweet Home Busy Monday, Show me your plaid , Sweet Sharing Monday, Jessica & Ashley, your whims wednesday, all she cooks, recipe swap hop

Popcorn with Spicy Bourbon & Maple Bacon

So there is good and then there is gooood. This easily falls into the latter category. When I was flying home(from who knows where) last year there was a recipe for a bacon and popcorn. It looks delish, but then the recipe seemed like way too many steps. Plus...it lacked the only thing that makes bacon even better: Bourbon. So the challenge to recreate it was born. and obviously, if you don't want bourbon, you could abstain from using it, just use a little more syrup/mustard.

6 cups cooked popcorn

6-8 slices bacon(thick sliced)

1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp spicy brown mustard

1 1/2 tbsp bourbon(I used Makers Mark)

1 tbsp brown sugar

1/2 tbsp chili powder

Combine the syrup, mustard and bourbon, brush on one side of the bacon. Mix together the brown sugar and chili powder and sprinkle over the bacon. Bake for about 20 min at 325. Take out, turn over and repeat process. Once bacon has cooled, using kitchen shears, cut into small pieces. 

In a large bowl(that has a lid) combine the popcorn and bacon and after the lid is on, shake for about a minute to fully combine. 

This is perfect for a party or small get together or even as a late night snack. I have no idea how long this would last. I would imagine with the lid on, probably two days...but you do what you think is best. Besides, it made it about thirty minutes when I served it;)

Don't forget to head over to my other blog where I whipped up a Mediterranean flat bread for a quick and easy lunch.

and I hope you are all having a fabulous week...I am loving life in New England for our vacation. Getting my niece fix in;)

Linking up with Tell Us Tuesday your whims wednesday Jessica, Ashley & Wonderful Foods Wednesday

Bacon Wrapped Ribs With a Brown Sugar, Chili and Bourbon Glaze

This was one of those ideas that just came about from eyeing two separate items almost simultaneously in my fridge. I am probably not the first person to wrap bacon around ribs, but...let's just for the sake of fun, pretend I am. I feel better about myself already.

Mainly, the best thing about this recipe is that it, once again, combines two of my absolute favorite edible items: bacon and bourbon. And it was just as good as I thought it would be.

This is one of those recipes that you really can't go wrong with, you can switch in and out any spices or sauce, making it sweeter or spicier. Whatever pleases your palette most.

Ingredients

1 lb boneless pork ribs

bacon(you will need one slice per rib)

2 cups bbq sauce(homemade or store bought)

1/4 cup bourbon

2 tbsp brown sugar

3 tbsp chili pwdr

1/4 cup apricot jam(optional)

Mix together the brown sugar and chili powder to create a rub. Wrap each rib in a slice of bacon. Brush the ribs with the bourbon and sprinkle one side with the rub. Place in a very hot saute pan(I had used olive oil to prevent sticking), seasoned side down. Brush unseasoned side with bourbon and sprinkle with the rub. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side to get slightly crispy. Place in crockpot and top with bbq sauce and apricot jam. You can also add any left over bourbon or spices.

or if you want...just add more bourbon. Period.

Keep on low for for 7 to 8 hours, or high for 4 to 5.  If you want the ribs to maintain their "rib shape" integrity, you may want to cut cooking time by about 30 min. Otherwise  it is fall apart and still beyond delicious. If you do not have a crockpot, you should be able to bake these at 375 for 2 hrs or so, keeping watch to make sure you have enough liquid. 

If you have some left over, they are perfect for shredded pork tacos.

Linking up with

Taste of Tuesday

Bacon Makes Everything Better

Doesn't it?! Unless...you're a vegetarian  then it probably doesn't. At least it wouldn't for one of my faves, MJ. But for me...it does. I love everything about it. And when I was in a hurry to cook something, I remembered a recipe I had discovered on the back of a bag of shredded cheese. I couldn't remember exactly how it went and I made a few changes, but for the most part...I think I was somewhat on target, either way: YUMMY!

This really was perfect for a chilly night, it warmed me from the inside out. and it was carb friendly for Wiki, score points for me. Yessss, love it when that happens.

4 Cheddar & Bacon Chowder

Ingredients

3-4 slices thick bacon

1/2 cup scallions

1 1/2 cups whole milk, half & half or heavy cream

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 cup celery(chopped)

2 cups shredded cheddar(I used Sargentos 4 state cheddar)

3 tbsp flour

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Cook bacon till crisp( I sprinkled some maple habanero pepper I had on hand for added flavor) Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon and place on paper towel till later. Pour off all but 2 tbsp of the bacon drippings. Cook celery in drippings, 4-5 min or till tender. Add the flour and cayenne pepper, cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in milk and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, simmer 5 minutes, still stirring occasionally  Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar. Stir until completely melted. Ladle in bowls and top w/bacon, cheese and scallions.

The adaptions I made were pretty simple, for wiki's low carb, I think I only used a tbsp of flour, I used more bacon and actually cooked in into the soup when the celery was done and reserved the rest for the topping. You could easily make this using fat free half and half and low fat cheese if you wanted to control your calories, just not skim milk, it would never thicken enough.

This was so easy and so scrumpt~a~di~lumptious.

And now, can I tell you how we finally put our tree up last night. yes, we have been those people this year. How sad. Wiki has been working such long hours and we've been gone on wknds. While I am really pleased w/the end results...let's just say there were some moments. Like when I was supposed to hold the tree straight and when I let go, it was apparent that a woman who is 5'3 and has arms to match...shouldn't be in charge. then the moment when I looked up to see him stringing the lights on and they were white, as in not just the lights. The cord too. I had to breathe deep. and today I'm gonna get some kind of garland to cover it up. Cause it is... ummm, noticeable. haha Oh well, I have a tree. YAY. After almost 10 years of  being a Mrs, I've learned to pick my battles and this wasn't one!  We had so much fun, just the two of us. We watched the Pats game on tv(although it wasn't much of a game. woot woot) and drank some hot cocoa. Perfect Monday night!

These are our "house divided" ornaments, Wiki is from Boston, ergo...obviously a Sox fan. While I root for every other Boston team, my heart is pinstriped. So when Wiki left for work this morning, I put the Yankee ornament in it's rightful place: front and center.And to be fair, I did the same thing w/the Sox one....

Not my fault it's rightful place is somewhere in the back;)

easy dinner:bacon wrapped chicken

According to Pinterest, this is a popular dinner. Obviously, the world is full of intelligent people(or at least pinterest is)  reason #1) bacon makes everything better. reason #2) did you not see reason #1)? Why could we possible need a reason #2?! Self explanatory. We've been making this dish for years, and it's so simple. I try to mix it up sometimes, just so not to bore Wiki. But for this particular recipe...

Ingredients:
1 lb package chicken tenderloin
1 package bacon(thin slice)
2 oz honey mustard
2 oz mango chutney
1 oz bourbon
Preheat oven to 350'

Wrap chicken w/bacon. In separate dish, whisk together honey mustard, chutney and bourbon. Brush with the sauce Lay chicken in pan( we chose to slice up some squash this time and lay in bottom of pan, the flavors melded together perfectly and the sauce season the veggies, hello, time saver.) Pour any remaining sauce over chicken, cover and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until juices run clear. This won't disappoint, I would promise, but this involves bacon and I fervently believe it unnecessary for me to overtly sing it's praises.

spicy apricot & bourbon pork roast wrapped in bacon

I know, I never wrap anything in bacon, so this is probably shocking...take a few moments to get a hold of yourself.  As I have said, Wiki is doing the whole "low carb diet" I love carbs and this really disrupts my dinner plans. How dare he decide to be healthy, humph.  Haha Anyways, this has led to my journey of foods that involve meat and cheese. And did I mention meat and cheese? This is a complicated thing to cook around. All.The.Time. It's slightly plausible that I may be getting bitter  better at it.

Anyways, H.T. had the pork roast on sale, ergo, I purchased it and immediately went to thinking how I could involve bacon into this meal. Porky needs more porky, right?! I looked through the fridge for a few items to make a sauce. and of course it had to be low sugar. UGH. I  forget where carbs hide. I decided to use some apricot butter, dijon mustard, red pepper flakes and two tablesppons of splenda brown sugar to make a paste to rub onto the pork, that I decided should just be wrapped in the bacon. Then bacon got the same sugar scrub. it needed a healthy glow;) and before I forget-bourbon. Come on now...why would I do something so incredulous as to forget my staple. I wouldn't...ever. I even put some in the meal. haha Y'all think I'm kidding....

Ingredients
Pork Roast 1-2 lbs
8-10 slices thinly sliced bacon(I prefer maple cured)
3 tbsp dijon mustard
1 1/2 tbsp apricot butter(you could use jam, but I prefer the butter)
2 tbsp splenda brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp bourbon
dash of red pepper flakes

Directions
combine the mustard, apricot butter, brown sugar, bourbon and red pepper flakes to make a semi thick paste. Rub half on pork. Lay bacon slices in a shallow baking pan and place roast in the middle of slices. Wrap each slice tightly around the roast and brush on the remainder of the paste. 

Before his bath

after...yums

Cook according to the directions of your roast, but normally it's 350 and half an hour to 45 minutes per pound. Then to get the top crispy, I broiled it for about 5 min. Just check on it every few minutes to make sure it doesn't burn.

I think this may be one of my favorites, it is really simple and extremely tasty. So be smart and make this. especially if you're a carnivore.

*Origin*
I'm sure someone else has come up with one similar to this. I think I may have even had something that resembles it a few years ago, but I can't remember specifics. So for now...this particular recipe is mine.

crack on a stick

as this was so succinctly coined last summer at a bunco get together by my friend, Tara...the usual name is bacon on a stick. Bacon is basically my own personal crack, hence the title and I'm sticking w/what works(for me)


It's super simple. and a big party hit. Of everything I have ever made, this is the one that people tend to request the most. A request means you did something right. I like doing something
right...just ask Wiki.

Ingredients
1 package bacon
(thinly sliced, this is a MUST)
1 package Stella Dora bread sticks
2 oz bourbon
(I prefer honey bourbon for this specific recipe)
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp melted butter


preparations
take a cookie sheet & line w/foil
(this is for easier clean up, but if you just love extra work then by all means, have at it;)
Now wrap the bacon tight around the bread stick. Maple bacon is extra yummy
line the wrapped bacon on the foil
take the 2 oz bourbon & mix in 2 tbsp of the brown sugar
take a brush & coat the 'sticks
you can now brush a little of the melted butter & sprinkle half the remaining brown sugar
bake at 350 for 10-15 min or until you can see the bacon browning
now take the pan out & if possible, drain the fat
turn them over(a big fork usually works for me)
and repeat the bourbon/brown sugar coating
bake an additional 10-15 or until it is completely cooked

**please note that it can sometimes dry out, if this happens just brush w/an extra coat when you take out

Here are a few variations
1) this is very sweet, so I often times put a dash of salt in the bourbon to counteract
2)I sometimes take 2 tbsp dijon mustard & 1 tbsp bbq sauce and add the bourbon to it, omitting the brown sugar except for the sprinkle at the end
3) and if you don't want bourbon you can use more butter
4) if you're one of those loons people who only use turkey bacon(brandy, cough cough) the four people I know who tried this said it was beyond disgusting. sooooo
5) If I am having a larger gathering I try to buy the wheat thins sticks(honey wheat) you can cut the bacon into 3 strips, thus tripling the amount. and they're more "partaaaayyy friendly" if you will

Anyways...I hope you thoroughly enjoy your dabbling into crack...on a stick. Now lets's all be honest, you like the way crack on a stiiiiiccckkk rolls of your tongue. There's no judging here, this is a safe place;)


**origin**
I have no idea who originated this tasty eat. My friend Jen mentioned it to me as bacon wrapped around a bread stick & sprinkled w/brown sugar. The rest has just been a trial and error to get just what I wanted, and someway to involve bourbon.. All I know is thank you to the person who dreamed it up.