Tag: bacon

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

On a bun. As a dip. In a wrap. On a cracker. It doesn’t matter how you serve this slow cooker creamy bacon chicken, you’re going to love it. Tender, moist chicken. Creamy cheese. Bacon. Ranch dressing flavors. Bacon. Oh, I said that already. I love bacon. There’s no reason that you couldn’t add a bit more bacon to the crockpot. Kinda slip an extra piece or two in for that extra bacon-y flavor.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

Creamy Deliciousness

Slow cooker creamy bacon chicken is mighty darned good as it is. Now, you know me (or well, maybe you don’t) but I like a little kick to my food. I would not be afraid to use jalapeno cream cheese instead of the plain stuff. And I wouldn’t be afraid to add a few squirts of Sriracha or my favorite hot sauce, either. Heck, throw in some diced roasted jalapenos too. You can always make two versions. One nice and mellow and one nice and spicy.

Shredded vs Cubed

If you want your chicken to have a bit more texture than the shredded version in the recipe, just cut into small cubes instead. Same great taste with a little bit different bite.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Also try my slow cooker teriyaki chicken.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

On a bun. As a dip. It doesn’t matter how you serve this slow cooker creamy bacon chicken, you’re going to love it. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 332kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Cookies and Cups

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place chicken into your slow cooker.
  • Top with the cheese and dressing seasoning.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the chicken is tender.
  • Remove the chicken and shred with a fork.
  • Return the meat to the slow cooker. Stir in the bacon.
  • Serve as a dip or on buns with extra sharp cheddar cheese as sandwiches.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 635mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Pepper Crusted Bacon Cheeseburgers

In my world there’s nothing better than a burger cooked on a super hot flat top griddle. Boy do I love that nice little char you get on the patties. These pepper crusted bacon cheeseburgers amp up that great flat top (though you can certainly grill them!) flavor even more.

Pepper Crusted Bacon Cheeseburgers

Nice And Peppery

The patties are loaded with sweet onion and lots of black pepper. Lots of black pepper. Crispy bacon, lettuce, smoky cheese and a fantastically garlicky aioli top it all off. Every bite of these pepper crusted bacon cheeseburgers is loaded with flavor.

Do not be shy with the black pepper when you roll the burger patties in it. You really want a good strong pepper flavor. I used smoked pepper but any good freshly cracked pepper will do. For extra smoky flavor used smoked garlic instead of regular raw garlic.

I like to use a burger press just about any time that I am making burgers. i just weigh out the meat (usually into 4 to 5 ounce-sized balls), then place onto the press. For easy cleanup I’ll put patty papers on the bottom and top of the press. Then I just press down and boom! A perfectly shaped burger patty appears!

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

Also try my spicy bacon burger!

Pepper Crusted Bacon Cheeseburgers
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Pepper Crusted Bacon Cheeseburgers

In my world there’s nothing better than a burger cooked on a super hot flat top griddle. Boy do I love that nice little char you get on the patties. These pepper crusted bacon cheeseburgers amp up that great flat top (though you can certainly grill them!) flavor even more.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, burgers
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 715kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Chunky Chef

Ingredients

For the garlic aioli

For the burgers

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 small sweet onion
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream you can omit this if you don’t have cream on hand
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 hamburger buns
  • green leaf lettuce
  • 8 slices cheddar cheese smokehouse cheddar is best!
  • 8 slices bacon cooked

Instructions

For the garlic aioli

  • Place garlic in a small bowl. Add the salt and mash with a fork until it becomes a paste.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the burgers

  • Place beef into a large bowl.
  • Great 2 tablespoons of the onion into the beef. Slice the remaining onion thin.
  • Add cream, salt and pepper and mix well. Form into 8 1/4 pound patties.
  • Spread cracked black pepper out onto a plate. Lightly press each side of each patty into the pepper.
  • Cook patties as desired. I prefer them grilled on a flat-top griddle, but you can also cook them in a skillet.
  • Lightly toast the buns.
  • Assemble burgers by slathering buns with the garlic aioli. Add the lettuce, cooked patties, cheese and bacon and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 715kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 708mg | Potassium: 480mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black
Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Grillaholics Stuffed Burger Press and Recipe eBook - Extended Warranty - Hamburger Patty Maker for Grilling - BBQ Grill Accessories
Grillaholics Stuffed Burger Press and Recipe eBook – Extended Warranty – Hamburger Patty Maker for Grilling – BBQ Grill Accessories

Baked Bacon

Baked bacon is one of my favorite things. A little time, a little seasoning and I’ve got a wonderful treat. I like my bacon to not be super-duper crunchy. Just a little bite is perfect. For me, baking is easier than cooking bacon in a skillet. I also get a more-consistently cooked product (with minimal curling!). With less mess, too.

Baked Bacon

Bacon. Glorious Perfectly-Cooked Bacon.

When I worked at the cafeteria at a large army base outside of Washington DC we would bake an unbelievable amount of bacon. And specially for Saturday morning’s buffet. Rack after rack after rack of bacon. I started as a dishwasher. Nothing was harder than scrubbing stack after stack of large sheet pans that had pieces of bacon stuck to them. I avoid that now by lining my pans with foil. A teen making minimum wage was probably cheaper than foil back in the day, so we didn’t line the pans at the cafeteria. We also didn’t season the bacon, something I really love to do.

Save The Drippings

If you’re planning on draining off the bacon drippings to use for other purposes, you might want to skip the seasoning all-together, or strain it first to remove any spice pieces.

Cleanup Is Easy

For cleanup I take the paper towel that I drained the bacon on and toss it onto the baking sheet to absorb any grease. I fold up the sides of the foil and seal it tightly. This creates a packet that can be tossed into the bin without having to worry about it leaking.

Use Up Your Spices

Baked bacon is also a great way to use up those last bits of the spices you have in the pantry. You know the ones, they’ve been in there forever waiting for you to figure out what to do with them. Well, now you know!

AlbuKirky Seasonings Red Chile BBQ Rub - Hatch Red Chile, Gluten Free, No MSG - 6 Ounce
AlbuKirky Seasonings Red Chile BBQ Rub – Hatch Red Chile, Gluten Free, No MSG – 6 Ounce
Baked Bacon
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Baked Bacon

Baked bacon is one of my favorite things. A little time, a little seasoning and I’ve got a wonderful treat. I like my bacon to not be super-duper crunchy. Just a little bite is perfect. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 315kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces bacon thin- or thick-sliced
  • seasonings see notes

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. For thick or crisper bacon you can go as high as 400 F.
  • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Lay the bacon out onto the baking sheet. Do not overlap the pieces or let them touch.
  • Sprinkle the top side of the bacon with the seasoning.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. The bacon will still be mostly uncooked.
  • Flip and season the other side. Return to the oven for 15 minutes or until the desired doneness is achieved. I like my bacon done, but only lightly crispy. Thin bacon usually takes a total of 35 minutes, while thick can take 45 minutes or longer.
  • Remove bacon to paper towel-lined plate to drain then serve.

Notes

Do not use seasonings that contain a lot of sugar. If your seasonings contain a lot of salt I recommend using them sparingly as the bacon is already salty to begin with if it has been salt-cured.
I usually use Grill Mates from McCormick. Todd’s Dirt is also a favorite, along with any of the mixes from AlbuKirky Seasonings.
Sometime bacon, specially thinner slices, can be hard to separate when removing it from the packaging. I freeze my bacon for a few minutes to make the pieces easier to remove. Just don’t put the bacon in the freezer and forget about it!

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 150mg | Vitamin A: 28IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale

Mississippi Mud Cheesy Potatoes

I’m lucky in that I usually love darn near everything I make. These Mississippi Mud cheesy potatoes are definitely no exception. In fact, love may be an understatement. My wife and I both devoured them. You just can’t beat the tender potatoes, ooey gooey cheese, crunchy smoky bacon, and green onions. It’s a lot like having a loaded baked potato, and yep, you guessed it, I love loaded baked potatoes too.

Mississippi Mud Cheesy Potatoes

Spice ‘Em Up

The only possible change (and really, it’s a stretch perhaps) I would make to these Mississippi Mud cheesy potatoes would be to add a roasted jalapeno or two. Actually, that’s not a stretch at all. Or maybe a pinch or two of smoked paprika or chipotle powder. Yeah, I’m going that for sure now! It’s not that this dish NEEDS some spicy kick to it. It’s that I like things with a little heat more that things without it. So why not add just a bit? I figure anything I would add to a bake potato, I can add here too!

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Also make my delicious melting potatoes.

Mississippi Mud Cheesy Potatoes
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2 from 2 votes

Mississippi Mud Cheesy Potatoes

I’m lucky in that I usually love darn near everything i make. These Mississippi Mud cheesy potatoes are definitely no exception.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cheesy, potatoes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 1078kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Mama Plus One

Ingredients

  • 10 cups Russet potatoes diced (about 5 medium potatoes)
  • 1 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 pound bacon cooked, chopped
  • ½ cup green onions chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 325 F.
  • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Pour mixture into a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish.
  • Bake for 1 hour until the potatoes are tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 1078kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 96g | Saturated Fat: 37g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 625mg | Potassium: 860mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 651IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 440mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale

Spicy Bacon Burger

Messy and spicy. That’s all I need to know. Plenty of crispy bacon too. And a little of ‘garden’. Nothing really that fancy, just a good juicy spicy bacon burger with plenty of kick. Thanks to the spicy cheese and a very spicy sauce. It’s not over-the-top crazy spicy, but it definitely has some kick!

Spicy Bacon Burger

Delicious Burgers With The Perfect Kick

I usually cook my spicy bacon burger on the grill, but not on the grates. Instead I use a griddle insert that is made of cast iron. The insert gets screaming hot, like a griddle from a diner. You know, the diners that make great burgers. When you cook on grates the juices drip down into the grill, lost forever. When you cook on the griddle the juices hang out, flavoring the patties and keeping them moist. You can’t go wrong griddling burgers in my opinion. You can also cook the bacon on the griddle, but I usually bake my bacon.

I like to use a burger press when I make burgers. It, in combination with some patty papers, enables me to crank out a whole bunch of equally-sized burger patties in no time at all with little cleanup.

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

Also try my Louisiana burgers and my butter burgers. And you have to have my pepper crusted bacon cheeseburgers! They’re all seriously good.

Spicy Bacon Burger
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5 from 1 vote

Spicy Bacon Burger

Messy and spicy. That’s all I need to know. Plenty of crispy bacon too. And a little of ‘garden’. Nothing really that fancy, just a good juicy spicy bacon burger with plenty of kick. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 3 servings
Calories 957kcal
Author Based on a burger from Applebee’s

Ingredients

For the burger

  • 1 pound ground beef I prefer a 85/15% mix
  • Kosher salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 12 slices bacon
  • 3 sesame seed hamburger buns
  • 3 slices extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 slices habanero jack cheese
  • Green leaf lettuce
  • 6 slices tomato
  • 6 slices red onion

For the sauce

Instructions

For the burger

  • Preheat oven to 380 F.
  • Divide the ground beef into 3 equally sized patties. Season well with salt and pepper.
  • Place bacon slices on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping once, until done but not overly crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Fire up your grill and cook the burgers until the desired doneness is reached.
  • Toast the buns if desired.
  • Top patties with cheese and melt.
  • Slather the buns with the sauce. Add the patties, lettuce, tomato, red onion and cooked bacon.

For the sauce

  • Whisk together all ingredients until smooth.

Nutrition

Calories: 957kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 67g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 216mg | Sodium: 1808mg | Potassium: 1076mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 906IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 481mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black
Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Grillaholics Stuffed Burger Press and Recipe eBook - Extended Warranty - Hamburger Patty Maker for Grilling - BBQ Grill Accessories
Grillaholics Stuffed Burger Press and Recipe eBook – Extended Warranty – Hamburger Patty Maker for Grilling – BBQ Grill Accessories

Breakfast Pizza

I was digging around in the bottom of the fridge when I came across a tub of pizza dough. A quick check of the freezer found that I didn’t have any pizza sauce. And no ‘normal’ pizza toppings in the fridge, either. Well, I figured that this was the opportune time to make a breakfast pizza. I can’t say I went into the project with great optimism. Well, I’ve been wrong before. This breakfast pizza was easy to make and came out tasting fantastic. It was a welcomed twist on a regular ole pizza.

Breakfast Pizza

Have It Your Way

Of course you can add more toppings. Such as crumbled cooked breakfast sausage. Roasted red bell peppers. Salsa. Hot sauce.  Jalapeno slices. Use my version of breakfast pizza as sort of a canvas for whatever you want to do. You can’t mess it up. Also make my breakfast po boy and my egg McMuffin casserole.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Breakfast Pizza
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4 from 1 vote

Breakfast Pizza

This breakfast pizza was easy to make and came out tasting fantastic. It was a welcomed twist on a regular ole pizza.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword breakfast, pizza
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 770kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Pillsbury

Ingredients

  • 1 tube refrigerated pizza crust
  • ½ cup bacon coarsely chopped
  • 6 eggs beaten
  • 4 ounces cream cheese cubed
  • 2 cups pepperjack cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
  • cilantro chopped, optional

Instructions

  • Open dough and prepare per package instructions but bake only 4-6 minutes until the crust just starts to ge crusty. Remove from oven.
  • Cook bacon over medium heat in a large skillet.
  • Drain all but 1 teaspoon of the drippings.
  • Add eggs, lower heat to medium low, and cook, stirring constantly, until just starting to set.
  • Remove from heat and sprinkle egg over cooked dough.
  • Drop cubes of cream cheese onto crust. Add the pepperjack, red onion and bacon.
  • Return to oven and bake 10-13 more minutes or until the cheeses have melted and the crust is crunchy and golden brown.
  • Remove from heat and garnish with cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 770kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 347mg | Sodium: 1390mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1183IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 490mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Kitchen Supply 14-Inch x 16-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel with Wood Handle
Kitchen Supply 14-Inch x 16-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel with Wood Handle
Lodge BOLD 14 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Pizza Pan, Design-Forward Cookware
Lodge BOLD 14 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Pizza Pan, Design-Forward Cookware

Bacon Cheese-Stuffed Peppers

I absolutely loved these bacon cheese-stuffed peppers. Every bite was full of my favorite things, like cheese and bacon. And a bit of sharp onion and sweet roasted bell pepper. I left the onions fairly crunchy because I was looking for a great crunch (along with the crunch of the bacon) to contrast the soft pepper and gooey cheese. You can cook yours further if you want but don’t go overboard. Crunch here is a good thing.

Bacon Cheese-Stuffed Peppers

Add A Bit Of Heat, If You Want

For a spicier version, substitute habanero jack cheese for the cheeses, and use poblano peppers instead of red bell peppers. A sprinkle or two of red pepper flake on top isn’t going to hurt anything either. You can’t go wrong with bacon cheese-stuffed peppers no matter how you change them up (if you do). And for me, spicier is better!

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

This recipe was inspired by a recipe from the BBQ Pit Boys.

Also try my sausage-stuffed Hatch chiles.

Bacon Cheese-Stuffed Peppers
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4 from 1 vote

Bacon Cheese-Stuffed Peppers

I absolutely loved these bacon cheese-stuffed peppers. Every bite was full of my favorite things, like cheese and bacon. And a bit of sharp onion and sweet roasted bell pepper. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword peppers, stuffed
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 336kcal
Author Based on a recipe from the BBQ Pit Boys

Ingredients

  • ½ pound bacon
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • beer
  • ¼ cup white onion chopped
  • ¼ cup Monterey jack cheese more or less, shredded
  • ¼ cup Mozzarella cheese more or less, shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil and add the bacon.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes until crisp, turning once. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Cut peppers in half vertically. Remove any seeds.
  • Place peppers on a baking dish and fill the halves with the beer. Cover with foil and place in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until tender.
  • Meanwhile, crumble the bacon into a bowl and add the onion and cheeses.
  • Uncover the peppers and pour off any remaining beer. Fill cavities with the bacon mixture and return to the oven, uncovered, until the cheese is melted.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 460mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1986IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale

Bacon-Glazed Spiral Ham

What’s better than spiral ham? Bacon-glazed spiral ham, of course. It’s spiral-ham-sale-time here, so I backed up the truck and grabbed a nice big smoked ham. Of course, they’re easy to reheat. And just as easy to glaze during the last 30 minutes. The bacon glaze adds a bit more smokiness, but also some sweetness, a little tartness and a little tang thanks to two different kinds of mustard. I don’t usually use the bag of glaze that comes with many hams. It kinda scares me, to tell the truth. I’d rather use something that I made at home so I know what’s in it!

Bacon-Glazed Spiral Ham

A Great Tasting Glaze

You can substitute pretty much any jelly you want in place of the Creole mustard, but I’d stay away from ‘darker’ ones, such as blueberry or the like. Go for lighter colors. And don’t be afraid to use a spicy jelly such as jalapeno pepper jelly. You may also want to double the amount of bacon-glaze, serving any leftover glaze as a drizzle over the sliced ham when you serve it. Bacon-glazed spiral ham is a wonderful thing and more glaze is… more wonderful!

Zatarain's Creole Mustard, 12 oz
Zatarain’s Creole Mustard, 12 oz

Also try my cherry-glazed spiral ham. My pepper onion beer sauce makes for a great topping for ham!

Bacon-Glazed Spiral Ham
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5 from 1 vote

Bacon-Glazed Spiral Ham

What’s better than spiral ham? Bacon-glazed spiral ham, of course. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword ham
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 1 ham
Calories 6761kcal
Author Based on a recipe from the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Ingredients

  • 1 7-8 pound smoked spiral ham

For the glaze

Instructions

  • Warm ham in oven per package instructions.
  • During the last 30 minutes of cooking, apply glaze liberally every 10 minutes.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

For the glaze

  • Cook the bacon until crispy in a large skillet.
  • Remove the bacon and all of the grease but keep the yum-yum bacon bits that remain in the pan.
  • Return pan to the stove over low heat.
  • Add the jelly and allow it to melt.
  • Whisk in the honey and the mustards. Remove from heat until ready to glaze the ham.

Nutrition

Calories: 6761kcal | Carbohydrates: 156g | Protein: 708g | Fat: 348g | Saturated Fat: 85g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2765mg | Sodium: 43474mg | Potassium: 10739mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 117g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 861mg | Calcium: 280mg | Iron: 33mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale

Sausage-Stuffed Hatch Chiles

I bought a case of Hatch chiles the other day. Most of the chiles ended up being roasted, but I kept a few for these sausage-stuffed Hatch chiles. Now I’m wishing that I’d kept a bunch more of the un-roasted peppers on hand because they sure make some fantastic dishes.

Sausage-Stuffed Hatch Chiles

Very Different. And Very Good.

I could’ve served this as an appetizer or as a main dish. I went the main dish route, and backed up the truck. And I wasn’t shy about how many I put on my plate. There were no leftovers. Sausage and bacon, with a hint of fennel on a grilled chile with just a bit of cheese. Smoked low and slow. Like a fancy jalapeno popper, sort of.

For a kicked-up version substitute spicy sausage and add a few good-sized pinches of red pepper flake to the meat mixture. Oh, and use a nice pepper jack or even habanero jack cheese for that extra creamy kick.

For a healthier version, skip the cheese and bacon and use turkey sausage. You might want to up the seasonings though.

Weber Pecan Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.
Weber Pecan Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.
Weber Apple Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.
Weber Apple Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.
Weber Cherry Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.
Weber Cherry Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.

You can also make these sausage-stuffed Hatch chiles on your grill, be it charcoal or gas. Just cook them over indirect heat, trying to keep the temperatures fairly low as to not over-cook them.

Sausage-Stuffed Hatch Chiles
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Sausage-Stuffed Hatch Chiles

I could’ve served this as an appetizer or as a main dish but I went the main dish route, and backed up the truck. I wasn’t shy about how many I put on my plate. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword peppers, stuffed
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 10 chiles
Calories 517kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up a smoker for smoking at 250 F. Use any wood you desire.
  • Slice the chiles horizontally. Remove the membrane and seeds.
  • Combine the sausage, fennel, pepper and garlic in a bowl.
  • Divide the sausage between the peppers, gently pushing down to fill them completely.
  • Sprinkle the peppers with the bacon.
  • Smoke for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Sprinkle with cheese (if using) and smoke until the cheese has melted.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1114mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

GreenSpark Firestarters 70 Pcs Natural Fire Starter for Grill, Smoker, Pizza Oven, BBQ, Wooden & Pellet Stove, Fire Pit, Long Burn, Waterproof, All Weather Fire Starters Safe for Indoor/Outdoor Use
GreenSpark Firestarters 70 Pcs Natural Fire Starter for Grill, Smoker, Pizza Oven, BBQ, Wooden & Pellet Stove, Fire Pit, Long Burn, Waterproof, All Weather Fire Starters Safe for Indoor/Outdoor Use
GEEKHOM BBQ Gloves, Grilling Gloves Heat Resistant Oven Gloves, Kitchen Silicone Oven Mitts, Long Waterproof Non-Slip Pot Holder for Barbecue, Cooking, Baking (Black)
GEEKHOM BBQ Gloves, Grilling Gloves Heat Resistant Oven Gloves, Kitchen Silicone Oven Mitts, Long Waterproof Non-Slip Pot Holder for Barbecue, Cooking, Baking (Black)
Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12'' Smoker Tube for Pellet Grill - Hot or Cold Smoker Accessories for Electric Gas Charcoal Grilling, Premium Stainless Steel Portable Barbecue Smoking Tube, Bonus Brush
Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12” Smoker Tube for Pellet Grill – Hot or Cold Smoker Accessories for Electric Gas Charcoal Grilling, Premium Stainless Steel Portable Barbecue Smoking Tube, Bonus Brush

Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

It had to be done. I was sitting there pondering what I haven’t yet cooked and then it hit me. Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy! I knew I’d have to go vertical with the bacon, so I grabbed a Big Easy kabob rack, some bacon, and proceeded to make bacon ‘curtains’, hanging the bacon down into the cooker. The bacon cooked up quickly and came out super crispy. And oh, did it ever smell soooo good!

Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The setup…

Since the bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy is hung over the kabob rack I didn’t end up with perfectly flat bacon. I did get pieces that were perfect for BLT sandwiches. Where the bacon bends is the point at which it cooks up the fastest. So does the bacon closest to the edges of the cooker.

Don’t over do it!

It’s easy to over-cook the bacon, so I recommend pulling it out of the Big Easy sooner than you think you should and letting it cool and crisp up. Also, it’s easier to remove the bacon from the rack if it is still slightly soft. Once it cools and gets crispy it will tend to break.

Although I haven’t yet tried it, I’m pretty sure you could use a Bunk Bed basket to hang the bacon if you don’t have the Big Easy kabob rack.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Did you know you can make your entire breakfast on your Big Easy, not just the bacon? Make breakfast sausage, breakfast cups and even eggs!

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy

It's bacon. On the Char-Broil Big Easy. The bacon cooked up quickly and came out super crispy. And oh, did it ever smell soooo good!
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, Big Easy, Char-Broil
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 12 slices
Calories 92kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 slices bacon

Instructions

  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Drape the bacon over the Big Easy basket. or kabob holder. Do not overlap.
  • Lower the basket into the Big Easy and cook 15-20 minutes. Do not let the bacon get too brown, it will crisp while cooling.
  • Remove and let cool before removing.

Nutrition

Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 44mg | Vitamin A: 8IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome
Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome
Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks
Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

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