Cooking Bacon

Let me get right to the point. Bacon is amazing! I don't know anyone on this beautiful green Earth that doesn't agree. But one thing is certain, bacon can be a mess to cook. I have tried numerous ways to cook bacon and have officially found the best way. It's probably the easiest clean up too.

No longer do you need to cook bacon in the microwave in 3 minutes increments or make a greasy mess all over your stove trying to cook it in a pan.... from now on, cook your bacon in.the.oven. 

Here's how:

Line your bacon on an aluminum lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven then turn your oven to 400 degrees. Let the bacon and oven do their thing for about 15-20 minutes. Remove and place on a plate with paper towels to catch any extra grease.
DONE. ENJOY. YOUR WELCOME. :-)

I start the timer for 10 minutes and check it. Then I go to 7 minutes. Then 3 minutes. You do not have to do that.. Check it at 15 minutes and depending on how crispy or rare you want it remove them or keep cooking. I time mine like that depending on what I'm using the bacon for and because I want to make sure it's the perfect crispiness.

Note: These bacon pieces aren't very crispy..
that's because I was using it for another recipe the next day.

If you save your bacon grease just take one corner of the aluminum, open and pour it into your cup. Easy.  [I highly recommend saving it, especially to cook eggs. Mmm] And clean up is a breeze.

I hope this is helpful and makes your bacon experience that much better than before.

Parmesan Bacon-wrapped Chicken topped with Bruschetta

Well... that is a mouth full of a title! This was a fun recipe for me. Taylor & I got in the kitchen and just had fun. [I love cooking with my hubby!] I knew I wanted chicken with bruschetta on top, but adding the bacon and Italian seasoning gave it a fabulous taste. It was SO good, and we have a bunch of leftovers :)!!! It had a nice smokey taste from the bacon with the freshness of the bruschetta on each bite! Mmmmm! Delicious! 

Parmesan Bacon-wrapped Chicken topped with Bruschetta

Ingredients

6 boneless chicken breasts
12 pieces of bacon
1-2 Italian seasoning packets
1 cup Shredded Parmesan
Couscous [follow package directions]

Bruschetta (you can find the recipe here)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Place the seasoning packet in a bowl. Lay the chicken in the seasoning, covering both sides. Place on rack, on cookie sheet.

3. Wrap each piece of chicken with 2 pieces of bacon. Make sure to use a toothpick to hold the bacon in place.

4. Sprinkle the tops with Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

[While it's cooking, make the Bruschetta]

6. Serve with couscous or your favorite rice.

Enjoy!!

Chicken Bacon Panini

I've surprised myself by making this recipe. This sandwich was delicious and real easy to make. Plus you can change it up in so many ways. Next time I'd like to add roasted red peppers to the sandwich! Mmmmm! But this one is a Chicken, Bacon, Swiss, with Pesto Panini. What a name! ;)

Chicken Bacon Panini

Here's what you need:

2 boneless chicken breasts

8 pieces of bacon

2 slices of Swiss cheese

4 slices of sourdough bread

pesto sauce

1 tbs butter

drizzle of canola oil

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the bacon on a rack on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

2. While the bacon is cooking, slice the [thawed] chicken breasts in half. 

3. In a sauce pan on Medium, drizzle canola oil in the pan and add the butter. Let it melt and warm. Then fry the chicken, until the juices run clear and the chicken is fully cooked. [Take it out of the pan and slice it to check to see if it is cooked thoroughly]. This will take about 12-15 minutes. Once it's done, let it cool then slice into pieces.

4. Slice the bread and butter each slice.



5. After the bacon and chicken are cooked, start preparing the sandwich.

Spread the pesto sauce on both sides of the bread. Place one slice in the pan, butter side down like you're cooking grilled cheese. 

Then assemble the sandwich: bread, chicken, Swiss, bacon, bread. 

[You can use a panini maker, but if you don't have one, use a grill pan and place a heavy pot on top].

6. Place the heavy pan on top of the sandwiches as they cook. After 2-3 minutes carefully remove the heavy pot and flip the sandwiches, then placing the pot on top of the sandwiches again. 

7. Once the cheese is melted and it's cooked to your liking, slice in half and enjoy! I served this with a side Caesar salad. Sooo yummy!!!! 

Taylor & I are off to Orlando, Florida to visit Jon & Julie! I hope you have a wonderfully blessed weekend!