When life gives you bacon, you better bacon. I had a lot of fun hosting a casual bacon party at home the other day. I've received 7 pounds of bacon from Farmer John's, but don't worry, there's more bacon to go around for more bacon parties.

Today, I will share with you 2 recipes that were made during the bacon party.

Carbonara

Recipe

  • 1 pound of thick spaghetti - (approx 1 box)
  • 1 pound of Farmer John classic bacon (approx one package)
  • 4 large cloves of garlic finely minced
  • 2 whole bulbs of shallot minced
  • 1/2 cup of fresh Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
  • salt and pepper
  • 4 eggs - I used Happy Eggs.

Start a pot of salted water to cook the spaghetti. While that is getting ready, mince up your garlic, then slice up your bacon. The bacon is cooked until crispy and golden. Once your bacon is ready, remove them from the pan onto a paper towel to drain out the excess fat.

The bacon fat is poured into a mason jar to cool leaving 3 tablespoons or so of bacon fat behind to cook up the garlic and shallot. Once the spaghetti is ready (about 10 minutes) drain out the water and pour the spaghetti into the butter, garlic and shallot mixture. The bacon bits are added back into the party with the stove off. Next, you whisk the 4 eggs with the cheese, and you gently fold the spaghetti and egg mixture until combined. I seasoned with salt and lots of freshly cracked black pepper.

Garnish with parsley and more Parmesan cheese. Grab a huge platter and make mini portions for simple serving. Just like that, done.

Mini Potato Gratin

Recipe

  • 2 Russet potatoes - washed, scrubbed, sliced thin
  • Heavy cream
  • 1/2 pound of bacon
  • White cheddar
  • Bread crumbs
  • butter
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • salt and pepper
  • green onions for garnish

I grabbed a muffin tin to make 12 rounds. These will pretty much feed 6 people. But can realistically feed 3 if these were served as a meal with steak or chicken.

The potatoes are layered with a little bit of garlic, salt and pepper. Once it reaches to the top, cream is added (about 2 tablespoons each). Bread crumbs are added, topped with a little butter, then the cheese. These went in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes. I took the tray out to sprinkle on some cooked bacon I baked earlier. This is placed back into the oven for another 10 minutes. Let the potatoes cool for about 10 minutes before taking them out to serve. Top them with green onions for color, then serve your guests.

Stay tuned for more bacon inspired dishes. Coming up will be a bacon breakfast party. Can't wait for that right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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