Bacon Egg and Cheese Hashbrown Cups

These cups came out delicious. 

Next time I am adding sausage for more flavor!

Bacon Egg and Cheese Hashbrown Cups

6 large eggs
1/4 cup sour cream 
1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 20 oz package refrigerated hash browns
2 Tbsp butter, melted
6 slices bacon, cooked and finely crumbled
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 

1/2 cup sharp cheddar, shredded for topping

Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray a regular 12 cup muffin tin* with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, garlic and black pepper.

Add the hash browns, melted butter, crumbled bacon and 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.

Divide the mixture between the muffin cups. I used an ice cream scoop to fill the cups.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden. Rest for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges to loosen.

Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of bacon crumbles if desired.

* I used my jumbo muffin pan which makes 6 muffins. 

Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Foil Packs

 

Very simple and easy clean up! 

Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Foil Packs

 

2 chicken breasts, cubed

4 medium potatoes, cut in large cubes

1 medium onion, quartered

2 teaspoons oil

2 tablespoons ranch dip mix (from 1-oz package)

4 slices cooked bacon, coarsely chopped

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Cut 2 (18x12-inch) sheets of heavy-duty foil. Spray with cooking spray.

Add cut potatoes and onion to a medium bowl. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with ranch dip mix. Add chicken; stir until evenly coated. Place an equal amount of mixture on the center of each sheet of foil. Evenly sprinkle with bacon.

Bring up 2 sides of foil so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again, allowing space for heat circulation and expansion. Fold other sides to seal.

Place the packs on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375°F 30 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and chicken is done. Remove packs from the oven and cut large X across top of each pack. Carefully fold back foil, (contents will be hot and will release steam) and sprinkle potatoes with cheese. Return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted and starting to brown a little.

Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Dip

I think if your baby's face looks like this, it's safe to say,

"That's some good dip right there!"

Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Dip

8 ounces Sour Cream
8 ounces of Cream Cheese, room temperature

1 packet (1 ounce) Ranch Dip Mix

1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Mix together until well combined. 

I actually use ranch from a large batch shaker. I think I use more than an ounce. Check the taste and add more if you like! 

Also, if it is too thick to combine, microwave it for 30 seconds or so until you can get it smooth. 

Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake

Cheesy Chicken Potato Bake

2 large chicken breasts, cubed
2 Potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup Butter, melted

1/2 cup sour cream
8 oz cream cheese block, softened

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, more if you like
4 pieces bacon cooked crisp and crumbled

Place your cubed potatoes and chicken in a pan and pour in broth and butter.

In a small bowl, mix together sour cream, cream cheese and garlic with a fork until well combined.

Spread cream cheese mixture over chicken and potatoes.
Sprinkle cheese on top. Top with crumbled bacon.

Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until the chicken is done and the cheese is golden and the casserole is bubbly.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels

 Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels

1 sheet Puff Pastry
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 
6 slices chopped cooked bacon 
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Egg Wash:
1 egg
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In large bowl, beat all ingredients except pastry with electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.

Unfold puff pastry and smooth out. spread the filling evenly over the pastry. Roll in jelly roll form. Refrigerate until firm.

Slice and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Brush with the egg wash. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown and the pastry is cooked through. 

Cheesy Potato Bacon Ranch Soup

Very easy and fast to put together Potato Soup!

It is loaded with flavor. 

It has to be good since the hubby ate two bowls.

He doesn't eat soup! 

6 slices bacon
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup) 
4 cups chicken broth 
3 medium potatoes, diced
1 package (1 oz) Ranch seasoning mix
1 cup heavy whipping cream
8 oz sour cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
8oz Velveeta original cheese, cut into cubes
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (or more if you like)

In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes or until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Cook onion in bacon drippings over medium-high heat 6 minutes or until almost tender.

In 6-quart Dutch oven, add broth, ranch mix and potatoes. Mix in onions. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.

In a bowl, mix sour cream and heavy cream. Stir into broth. 

In small bowl, beat cornstarch and water with whisk. Beat cornstarch mixture into soup. Cook about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Add Velveeta cheese to soup. Stir until melted. Add 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar cheese. Stir until melted. Serve soup with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese and reserved crumbled bacon.

Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Porkchops for Two

2 thick cut boneless Porkchops
4 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese
4 slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Green Onions or Minced Yellow Onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder

2/3 cup Flour
2 Eggs, whisked
1 cup Bread Crumbs
2 tablespoons of oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl stir together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, onion and garlic powder until combined. Set aside.

Place flour in a dish. Whisk eggs in a dish. Place bread crumbs in another dish. 

Cut a pocket in the side of the porkchop without going all the way through.  Leave the actual opening as small as you can, but cut the pocket to the edge. Season with salt and pepper. Stuff each pocket with the filling. Press the edges together as much as possible. (You can use tooth picks if you want.) 

Coat each chop with flour making sure to get the edges as well. Dip in egg and then bread crumbs. 

Heat oil in an oven safe skillet until oil shimmers a little. Brown the chops for a few minutes on all sides, or until golden brown. Transfer to the oven and cook for 20 minutes or until internal temp is 160 degrees. 

Chicken Salad with a BLT Twist

I took my normal chicken salad recipe and added a twist. I added bacon and tomatoes and prepared a sandwich... your choice of bread or roll with a little mayo, chicken salad and topped with lettuce!

3 cups cubed, cooked chicken

4 Eggs, boiled and peeled

1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish*

1/2 cup mayo (or more)

1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon mustard

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

pepper, to taste

4 slices of bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped

Using my processor, I grind the chicken until no large lumps are visible. I process the eggs the same way. In a large bowl add relish, mayo, sour cream,  mustard, juice and seasonings. Mix well. Add the chicken and eggs. Last add the tomatoes and bacon.

Mix until well blended. Store in air tight container in the frig.

*I use pickle juice for those that are freaked out by the green specks in the salad. Add more of less for your taste. 

BLT Chicken Salad! 

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Bites

Yesterday, my goofball of a hubby hacked my Facebook page and left this post...

"I just want everyone to know how much I love my husband. He is the sexiest, most compassionate, caring, loving man I have ever meet. I am truly blessed to be able to call myself his wife. I live to make his life better in what ever way I can."

He should have posted it on my business page because it got more hoots and hollers than any food post I've ever made. I was even laughed at when I walked into the local bait, tackle and grill shop! I'm still getting comments and jokes! LOL

Well, he had the guts to ask for a special meal of the Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Bites. I'm not sure he deserves them! What do you think? 

Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Bites

4 chicken tenders, cubed
1 package Bacon (not thick cut), cut in half
Kikkoman Teriyaki marinade
Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze
toothpicks

Wrap bacon around chicken cube, stretching the bacon to fit, if needed. Secure with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining chicken cubes, bacon and toothpicks. Pour teriyaki sauce over chicken and marinate for at least 4 hours, but no more than 8 hours. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place chicken on grill. Cook until bacon is done on the bottom, about 7 minutes, and flip. Brush with teriyaki glaze and cook for another 7 minutes making sure not to burn the bacon. Add more glaze to taste. Plate and serve.

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Livers and Chicken Bites

My brother made Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Livers for our Dad's surprise b'day party. They were such a hit, even the hubby who claims he hates liver, loves them! For the other liver haters out there, I also included Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites! 

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Livers

1 lb. chicken livers
Approximately 8 oz. bacon (not thick cut)
Teriyaki sauce, Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze
Kebab skewers

Wrap bacon around chicken liver, stretching the bacon to fit, if needed. Secure with a skewer. Repeat until skewer is full. Repeat with remaining chicken livers and skewers.

Pour teriyaki sauce over skewers, reserving about 1/4 cup. Marinate skewers for at least 4 hours, but no more than 8 hours.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place skewers on grill and baste with reserved teriyaki sauce. Cook until bacon is done about 7 minutes and flip skewers. Baste again with teriyaki sauce and cook for another 7 minutes making sure not to burn the bacon.

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Bites

4 chicken tenders, cubed
1 package Bacon (not thick cut), cut in half
Kikkoman Teriyaki marinade
Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze
toothpicks

Wrap bacon around chicken cube, stretching the bacon to fit, if needed. Secure with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining chicken cubes, bacon and toothpicks. Pour teriyaki sauce over chicken and marinate for at least 4 hours, but no more than 8 hours. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place chicken on grill. Cook until bacon is done on the bottom, about 7 minutes, and flip. Brush with teriyaki glaze and cook for another 7 minutes making sure not to burn the bacon. Add more glaze to taste. Plate and serve.

Easy Chicken and Rice Foil Packets

I was looking for an easy meal to make pretty quickly this past Sunday. I basically wanted a one pot type meal with minimal effort or clean up. I hate doing a lot of dishes after a meal. These foil packets are an easy weeknight meal for the family or can be quickly thrown on the grill on the weekend. Super easy clean-up is also a plus!

1 can (10 1/2 oz) cream of chicken soup

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

3 teaspoons Greek seasoning

Salt, pepper and garlic powder, to taste

2 cups uncooked instant white rice

½ cup shredded carrot

½ cup fresh sweet peas

½ cup chopped onion

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 slices cooked bacon, coarsely chopped

1 ⅓ cups Colby Jack cheese

2 green onions, sliced (optional)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut 4 (18x12-inch) sheets of heavy-duty foil. Spray with oil.

Measure 1/2 cup of the condensed soup and set aside. In 4- cup glass measuring cup, mix remaining condensed soup, the chicken stock and 1 teaspoon of the seasoning; beat with whisk to blend. Add instant rice; stir and let stand about 8-10 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in carrots, onions and peas. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.

Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness. Season chicken with remaining 2 teaspoons seasoning; place on center of each sheet of foil. Dividing evenly, spoon rice and vegetable mixture around each chicken breast. Divide any remaining soaking liquid over tops of breasts. Spread 2 tablespoons reserved soup over each breast: evenly top with bacon and cheese.

Bring up 2 sides of foil so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again, allowing space for heat circulation and expansion. Fold other sides to seal.

Place packets on a baking sheet.  Cook 30 minutes. Cut a slice in each packet to vent the steam. Carefully fold back foil, and garnish with green onions. For the grill: Heat gas or charcoal grill. Follow directions above for assembling the packets. Place packets on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 10 minutes. Rotate packs 1/2 turn; cook 9 to 10 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).

Bacon Egg and Cheeseburger on a Tater Tot Waffle Bun

I was looking for a picture today and ran across this one. I know what some people will say, but I don't make this one often. My hubby loved it and would love one every week! I dusted off the waffle maker and used tater tots to make a waffle bun**. Thus the Bacon, Egg and Cheeseburger on a Tater Tot Bun was born... at my house at least! Here's a good, but different burger mix to incorporate some sausage into your burger.

Beef and Pork Burger Patties

1lb Italian Sausage, de-cased
1lb ground beef

Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder
16 small slider buns, dinner rolls or Tater Tot Waffle Bun

Onion, diced very small

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

In a large bowl, combine sausage and beef. Using your hands, blend the two meats together.* Spread the onions on a heavy duty cookie or baking sheet. Using your hands, crumble and spread the meat mixture over the onion and press down. If you try to spread it by pushing the meat, the onions move and gather on the ends. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 15 minute. Cooking time will vary according to your preferred doneness. Internal temperature should be 160˚F for medium. Remove from the oven and pour off the excess grease. Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven long enough to melt the cheese. Let rest for a minute, then slice into squares using a pizza cutter or knife. Slice the rolls and top the sliders with your favorite condiments. 

*Or form into patties and cook or grill. Use the burgers as the base on a tater tot waffle and top with bacon and egg.

** For the waffle bun...
Defrost some tater tots a bit. Preheat your waffle maker. Spray down top and bottom with cooking spray. Place tater tots on the cooking surface on the bottom. Close tightly and lock. Cook until golden brown as pictured above.

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Bites

I'm hosting a Kikkoman House Party for the Superbowl tonight!  I've started off with these Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Bites. I don't have a grill right now, but I "grilled" them on my grill pan in the oven! It worked great!

Half way through baking and

brushed with Teriyaki Glaze!

Done!

4 chicken tenders, cubed
1 package Bacon (not thick cut), cur in half
Kikkoman Teriyaki marinade
Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze
toothpicks

Wrap bacon around chicken cube, stretching the bacon to fit, if needed. Secure with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining chicken cubes, bacon and toothpicks. Pour teriyaki sauce over chicken and marinate for at least 4 hours, but no more than 8 hours. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place chicken on grill. Cook until bacon is done on the bottom, about 7 minutes, and flip. Brush with teriyaki glaze and cook for another 7 minutes making sure not to burn the bacon. Add more glaze to taste. Plate and serve.

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

This is another of my baby brudder's specialties. If he ever asks me, "What can I bring?" This is it! The hubby hates liver, but he eats these by the handfuls!

1 lb. chicken livers
Approximately 8 oz. bacon (not thick cut)
Teriyaki sauce, Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze
Kebab skewers

Wrap bacon around chicken liver, stretching the bacon to fit, if needed. Secure with a skewer. Repeat until skewer is full. Repeat with remaining chicken livers and skewers.

Pour teriyaki sauce over skewers, reserving about 1/4 cup. Marinate skewers for at least 4 hours, but no more than 8 hours.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place skewers on grill and baste with reserved teriyaki sauce. Cook until bacon is done about 7 minutes and flip skewers. Baste again with teriyaki sauce and cook for another 7 minutes making sure not to burn the bacon.

Maple Bacon Monkey Bread

I saw a post earlier using biscuit dough, maple syrup and bacon to make a wonderful looking Maple-Bacon Biscuit Bake. I thought, "I'll turn that into monkey bread." Yeah! I know a few spots got a little to browned, but that's because I had the oven on 400 instead of 350. It yours starts to brown to quickly, lay a piece of aluminum foil over it. Don't cover it tightly, just lay a piece over the top.


Syrup:

1/2 pound bacon, cooked until medium-brown
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter


Bread:
4 tubes refrigerator biscuits
1/2 cup Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Chop the cooked bacon into 1/2" pieces. Combine the bacon with the remaining syrup ingredients, stirring until well combined. Set aside. Cut biscuits into fours and roll into balls. Roll biscuits in sugar. Butter or spray a loaf pan. Stack biscuits into loaf pan. Pour syrup over biscuits and bake at 350 for 40 to 50 minutes. When partly cool, turn out onto serving platter. To serve, let each person pull pieces off.

Collard Greens and Pork Shanks... Farm Trips with my BFFF Mary!

Yesterday, my BFFF Mary and I went to meet her friends at Russell's hog farm, Sunny Cedars Farm located in Sumter, SC. They got the full tour and bought some yummy pork products free of nitrates, steroids and antibiotics! He gave me some of his new cut shanks! I used one to season some collards! (recipe below) Then Mary and I were off to Willard Farms to pick up some Organically grown Collard Greens!

Collards** and Shanks... Score!

Jay Willard and his son looking for the perfect

bunches of Certified Organic Collards for Mary and me!

Willard Farms is located in Gable, SC.

Their market is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Fri/Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m.

803-938-2814

Rows of Organic Collards

These plants are HUGE! Beautiful!

 WOW!

A huge bowl/tote cooked down to one skillet full!

Sauteed Collard Greens **
seasoned with a pork shank slice!

Collards, washed, stemmed and torn into pieces
Grease from frying bacon*
1 Onion, chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules
Kosher salt, pepper, all to taste
and a dash of hot sauce

Fry bacon until crisp and remove from pan. Add onions and saute until soft. Add garlic and collards. Cover and cook until wilted a bit (about 5 minutes).

Sprinkle in the bouillon, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Cook covered until tender. 

* I used a pork shank from Sunny Cedars Farm. I rendered some of the fat out of the Shank by browning it in a hot cast iron skillet. I moved it to another pan and finished it off in the oven. I pulled the meat out and tore it into chunks and tossed into the collards.

** These collards need NO sugar! They are not bitter at all! These are some of the smoothest, freshest and biggest collards I have ever had! If you are in the area go to Jay Willard's place *Certified Organic* Willard Farms! You will not be disappointed!!!

BLT Recipes!

Who doesn't love a good BLT? Well, you can get that great flavor in a variety of ways, shapes and sizes! We have our favorites, but it also depends on the occasion. Salads are great for a dinner party. Dips are great for munching during the game. Sandwiches and wraps are great for sandwich night or a quick lunch! Check out these BLT recipes! All Pictures have a link to the recipes below!

 BLT Pasta Salad

 BLT Tacos

BLT Dip 

And as always, back to simple original
BLT Sandwich!