Michael Symons Bacon Noodle Surprise Recipes

HOMEMADE BACON

Steps:

• Rinse the pork belly and pat dry. Transfer to a resealable 2-gallon plastic bag. To make the spice rub, mix the kosher salt, pink salt, brown sugar, honey, red pepper flakes, paprika and cumin in a bowl. Coat the pork belly all over with the mixture.
• Close the bag and refrigerate 7 to 10 days, flipping once a day, until the pork belly feels firm. It should take 7 days for a thin belly that is about 11/2 inches thick, longer for a belly that's 2 to 3 inches thick.
• Remove the pork belly from the bag, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Refrigerate the belly on a rack, uncovered, 48 hours.
• Set up your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions using applewood chips, and set to 200 degrees F. Smoke the pork belly 3 hours, or until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F.
• Remove the rind (optional), then slice and cook as desired. To store, wrap the bacon in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months.
• Pink curing salt is a mix of salt and sodium nitrite. It keeps the meat pink and protects it from bacteria. You can find it at specialty food stores or online.

BOLOGNESE WITH ZUCCHINI NOODLES

Steps:

• Heat a large Dutch oven with the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef with a liberal pinch of salt and cook until brown, about 4 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the carrots, celery and onions in a food processor and pulse to chop finely.
• With a slotted spoon, remove the browned meat from the pan and set aside. Add the vegetables to the pan with a large pinch of salt and sweat until translucent and aromatic, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sweat 1 minute more. Deglaze the pan with the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to get all the goodies into the sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by about half. Then add the tomatoes, oregano, bay leaf, chile flakes and ground beef back in. Simmer for about 30 minutes.
• While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When you have 5 minutes left for the sauce, drop the zucchini into the boiling water and give it a stir so it doesn't stick. When the noodles are cooked al dente, remove and set aside 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and then drain.
• Stir the zucchini noodles into the sauce to coat the noodles. Add the reserved pasta water, Parmesan, butter, olive oil and parsley and continue to mix. Once the butter is melted and everything is incorporated, remove from the heat and serve immediately.

CABBAGE AND NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add a film of oil along with the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften and caramelize, 2 to 3 minutes. Move the onions to one side of the pan, and then add the butter, cabbage and a pinch of salt. Cook until everything is caramelized and softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock. Simmer this mixture until the cabbage is cooked through and the liquid has reduced, about 5 minutes.
• In the meantime, drop your pasta. Cook at a gentle boil for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Then drain and add to the cabbage mixture. Gently fold in the parsley and sour cream and serve immediately, adding black pepper and a drizzle of oil.

MICHAEL SYMON'S BACON NOODLE SURPRISE

Steps:

• In large pot add olive oil and bacon, cook until well done.
• In large saute' pan add butter, cabbage and onion. Cook until tender. Add a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer cabbage and onions to pot with bacon. Add parsley.
• Cook noodles according to package.
• Once noodles are cooked add pasta to cabbage pot. Add sour cream and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

MAPLE PECAN BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the pecans in a shallow baking dish. Brush the top of the bacon slices with maple syrup. Press the bacon into the pecans and lay the slices on a wire-rack-fitted sheet tray. Bake until crisp and golden, 25 minutes.