Bacon isn’t just for breakfast. Whether you prefer smoked, cured, uncured, hickory or maple flavored, bacon has a distinct flavor that can add great variety to your recipes. Below are two of my favorite dishes.
Whether your taking lunch on the go or want to enjoy a tasty meal at home you’ll love my recipe for Chicken, bacon & avocado wraps.
Ingredients:
- Bacon (your favorite cut and flavor)
- Large balls of fresh mozzarella cheese in brine (Not the shredded kind) - cut into 1/4 circles
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - sliced or cubed
- Mayonnaise
- Mixed salad greens
- Tomatoes - sliced
- Avocado - sliced
- Your favorite wrap or tortilla shell
Start by cooking your bacon. I recommend doing this stove top rather than in the microwave. Once bacon is cooked (usually 2 slices per wrap) remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess grease. Drain* most but not all of the bacon grease from your skillet. Save about a Tablespoon in the pan.
Cook the chicken (aprox. 1/2 breast per wrap) in the leftover bacon grease. This adds great flavor and saves you from using cooking oil.
Assemble your wrap. Add a spoonful of mayo and spread over your wrap.  Start by adding mixed greens. Layer chicken, bacon, tomato and mozzarella.  I recommend toasting in the toaster over for a couple minutes to melt the mozzarella (but not too long or your wrap will dry out). Add avocado slices last.
Roll up your wrap and enjoy!
*When draining bacon grease I recommend pouring excess grease into a container which can be thrown away when cool. Non-recyclable containers are best since they’ll go into the trash anyway.
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Mushroom and bacon pasta with cream sauce
This is a really fast and easy dish that is so delicious!
Ingredients:
- Bacon (your favorite cut and flavor) - cut into bit size pieces
- Mushrooms (any variety will do - I use Crimini)
- Onion - finely diced
- Your favorite pasta (I love to use fusilli. It has a nice texture and holds the sauce really well)
- Creme fraiche
Cook bacon pieces thoroughly. I generally use 2-3 slices per person. Add onions and cook until clear. Add mushrooms last since they take the least amount of time.
In a separate pot cook your pasta until al dente.
Drain excess bacon grease. Add creme fraiche to the bacon mixture beforeadding pasta. This way the cream takes on the flavor of the bacon, onions and mushrooms. Start with 2 Tablespoons and add approximately 1 Tbs. for each additional serving. Once the cream sauce and bacon mixture are thoroughly mixed add the pasta and stir until sauce covers the pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste (Note: salt is not necessary if your bacon is already salted).
Serve and enjoy!
