Food Ventures
(Courtesy of The Chew: A Year of Celebrations). Serves 4. Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes.
Vinaigrette:
1 shallot, finely chopped
4 tablespoons champagne vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Combine the shallot, vinegar, and oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and whisk. Set aside.
Candied Bacon:
½ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound thick-cut bacon
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or foil and place a cooling rack on top. Stir together the dark brown sugar, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Add freshly ground pepper, about 10 turns, and a pinch of salt. Add half the mixture to a baking dish and reserve the other half.
Lay the bacon, piece by piece, in the baking dish, coating both sides, then transfer to the cooling rack. Lay the bacon in a single row on the rack. Place in the oven and let cook. After 15 minutes begin basting every 5 minutes until crispy, 25 to 30 minutes total.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the rack for 5 minutes. Remove from the rack to prevent sticking and use, either whole or crumbled.
Poached eggs:
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vinegar
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add vinegar; reduce to a simmer. Crack one egg at a time into water and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
Salad:
2 large heads frisee lettuce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Chives for garnish
Cut the root end off the frisee and separate the leaves. Place in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Dress with the vinaigrette and toss. Divide greens among four serving plates. Top each with a poached egg and candied bacon. Garnish with chives.
Ann's Article:
Special For Mother’s Day: Recipes from ABC’s show ‘The Chew’ and Downton Abbey’s Edwardian Cooking
Ann Hattes travels far and wide in search of interesting food adventures.