Zesty Candied Bacon Recipes

SPICY CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 1/2 teaspoons gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) and spread on a plate. Coat one 12-ounce package thick-cut bacon in the sugar mixture, pressing each slice on both sides to adhere.
• Lay the bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 325˚ F, rotating the pan and flipping the bacon halfway through, until the bacon is dark brown and caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds on both sides, then let cool completely to harden.

SPICY BACON CANDY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment.
• Pat the bacon dry. Mix the brown sugar, chile powder, black pepper and cayenne together and spread out on a large plate. Press both sides of each bacon strip into the sugar mixture until coated and then arrange on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture.
• Bake until the bacon is golden and glazed, turning once, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
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SPICY CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Mix the chili powder and brown sugar in a shallow bowl.
• Fit a sheet of parchment paper onto a jelly-roll pan.
• Bury each slice of bacon in the chili and sugar mixture; rub both sides to assure the mixture adheres.
• Lay the bacon strips on the prepared pan.
• The bacon strips may be left flat or twisted two or three times by holding each end to make a candied "stick".
• Bake for 30 minutes without turning.
• Always transfer candied bacon using tongs; the hot sugar can easily burn your fingers.

FIERY SUMMER BRUSCHETTA WITH ZESTY OLIVE SPREAD AND SPICY CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• For the bacon:
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put a baking rack over a parchment paper lined tray and arrange the bacon slices across the rack - do not overlap. In small bowl combine the syrup and cayenne and brush the bacon generously with the mixture. Put in the oven and bake until cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
• For the Summer Salad:
• In a large bowl, add the vinegar, honey, Dijon and lime zest and juice and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to make a dressing. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside until ready to use.
• For the bruschetta:
• In large saute pan, add the olive oil, cayenne and garlic. When the garlic has browned, remove it and discard. Add the bread slices, in batches if necessary, and cook until browned on both sides. You may need to add more olive oil to the pan if the bread soaks up too much. Remove to sheet tray and set aside until ready to plate the dish.
• For the Zesty Olive Spread:
• Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until pureed and smooth. Check for seasoning and set aside until ready to use.
• Assembly:
• Put 2 pieces of bread on each plate. Spread the zesty olive spread on top of the bread. Lay 1 piece of bacon on each bread slice and top with the summer salad. Repeat with remaining bread and toppings.

CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Put bacon slices in a bowl, season them with pepper and toss with the brown sugar. Cover a baking sheet with parchment or foil and arrange the bacon in a single layer on top. Sprinkle any sugar left in the bowl over the bacon. Top with another layer of parchment or foil and top it, squarely, with another baking sheet. The baking sheet will flatten the bacon as it cooks.
• Place the tray in the center of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Check the bacon by lifting the top tray and parchment. If it is not golden brown and fairly crispy, resist the temptation to turn up the oven temperature, and cook it for 10 to 15 minutes longer. Check it again. Keep in mind that when you remove the tray and transfer the bacon to a serving platter or individual plates, the bacon will "crisp" up a little more. Be patient!