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Bacon Up® Extra Crispy Fried Chicken

Chicken Fried in Bacon Up® Bacon Grease
Recipes

Bacon Up® Extra Crispy Fried Chicken

Main Course
American
Cast Iron
Chicken Fried in Bacon Up® Bacon Grease
Frying this family favorite in Bacon Up® Bacon Grease provides a richer flavor and great, crispy texture that everyone will LOVE!

Equipment

  • Shallow bowl
  • Zip-top plastic bag (large)
  • Large skillet (I love cast iron!) or a deep-fryer
  • Rack or platter with paper towels (to drain/crisp up after fried)

Ingredients

  • 3 Pounds Chicken cut into pieces
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 Tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 Tsp Seasoned salt optional
  • 1 Cup All-purpose flour
  • 2 Cups Bacon Up® Bacon Grease

Instructions

  • Rinse the chicken pieces with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  • In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, and stir in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Soak the chicken in the milk mixture for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Combine the flour and seasoned salt (if using) in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces, a few at a time, and shake to coat completely in the flour. Shake off any excess, and set the chicken aside on a rack to dry.
  • Scoop the Bacon Up® Bacon Grease into a deep skillet, or deep fryer, and heat it to 350°F. Add chicken thighs and legs, and cook for several minutes.
  • Add other chicken pieces, being careful not to overcrowd skillet. Continue cooking, turning once, until chicken pieces are golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels and serve warm, or at room temperature.
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Butternut Squash Salad with Cider/Bacon Up Vinaigrette

 

Recipes

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

Servings 4

Equipment

  • Sheet pan
  • Small saucepan or skillet
  • Small bowl
  • Large Bowl

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds Butternut squash peeled and diced into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 2 Tbsp Bacon Up® Bacon Grease for roasting squash
  • 2 Tbsp Pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tsp Kosher salt and more to taste
  • 1/2 Tsp Freshly ground black pepper and more to taste
  • 1/4 Cup Dried cranberries
  • 1/2 Cup Apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 Tbsp Cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp Minced shallots
  • 2 Tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Bacon Up melted, for dressing
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil combine with Bacon Up for dressing
  • 4 Oz Baby arugula washed and spun dry
  • 1/2 Cup Walnut halves toasted
  • 2 Oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese freshly grated, for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F and position rack in the middle of the oven.
  • Place the squash (peeled and diced) on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons of Bacon Up to the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper; toss. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.
  • While the squash is roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar and shallots in a small saucepan or skillet set over medium heat. Simmer until the mixture has reduced by half.
  • To a small bowl, add mustard and hot cider mixture; whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly stream in the Bacon Up and olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • To a large bowl add arugula, roasted squash mixture and walnuts. Top with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat the ingredients and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Notes

Recipe variations:
• Try out a variety of winter squashes instead of butternut. Many varieties (such as acorn and delicata) don’t need to be peeled.
• Substitute your favorite nut or seed for walnuts.
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Bacon Up® Skillet Green Beans

Recipes

Bacon Up® Skillet Green Beans

Side Dish
Veggies
Replace your olive oil or other usual cooking oil and instead, sauté fresh green beans in Bacon Up® Bacon Grease until crisp-tender to take this classic vegetable side dish up a notch!
Author Monica

Equipment

  • Large skillet (You probably know, I prefer cast iron!)

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp Bacon Up® Bacon Grease
  • 1 small Onion diced
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 pound Fresh Green Beans washed and trimmed
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, over medium hear, add 3 tbsp of Bacon Up to melt. Add the onion and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the green beans to the skillet. Sauté the beans until tender, about 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
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Easy Bacon Up® Fajitas

Recipes

Easy Bacon Up®Fajitas

Main Course
Cast Iron, entertaining, Tex-Mex
Author Monica

Equipment

  • Large skillet (I love using cast iron for this!)
  • Small mixing bowl

Ingredients

Seasoning Mix

  • 1/2 Tbsp Chili powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp Ground cumin
  • 1 Tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 Tsp Oregano
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp Pepper

Chicken Fajitas

  • 3 Chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 1 Onion thinly sliced
  • 3 Bell peppers thinly sliced
  • 3 Tbsp Bacon Up® Bacon Grease
  • 1/2 Lime

Instructions

  • You may use your favorite pre-mixed packet of fajita seasoning OR make your own by combining in a small mixing bowl the Seasoning Mix ingredients listed. Stir together to mix well.
  • Generously sprinkle the fajita seasoning on both sides of the chicken and use your fingers to press it into the chicken.
  • Heat the Bacon Up in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts for about 7-8 minutes on each side.
  • While your chicken is cooking, cut the bell peppers and onion into thin slices.
  • Once the chicken has finished cooking, remove it to a plate and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Add the bell peppers and onion to the same skillet over medium heat and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • When the bell peppers are just about done sautéing, slice the chicken breasts into strips.
  • Add the chicken back into the skillet, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and stir everything together.
  • Serve with you favorite tortillas. I love to warm the tortillas first in the skillet with a scoop of Bacon Up® Bacon Grease!
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Bacon Up® Fried Eggs

Frying eggs in Bacon Up adds next-level flavor!
Recipes

Bacon Up® Fried Eggs

Frying eggs in Bacon Up adds next-level flavor!
Try something new next time you fry your eggs: Substitute Bacon Up® Bacon Grease instead of the butter or oil you usually use. All the flavor of cooking with bacon grease – without the mess of frying bacon!
Author Monica

Equipment

  • Cooking 1 egg? Pull out a small skillet, preferably cast iron.
  • Cooking 2 eggs? Use a medium-to-large skillet - again, we prefer cast iron!
  • small bowl or ramekin

Ingredients

  • Eggs your choice on quantity!
  • Bacon Up® Bacon Grease approx 1 tablespoon per egg
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Crack an egg into a small bowl or ramekin and place it near the stove. Warm your skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot enough that a drop of water sizzles rapidly on contact.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add the Bacon Up to the pan. Gently tilt the pan around so the bacon grease covers the base of the pan as it melts. The Bacon Up should be so warm that it shimmers on the pan (if not, give it a little more time to warm up).
  • Carefully pour the egg into the skillet (if you’re planning to add another egg to the same pan, pour it onto the side so there’s room for another).
  • Let the egg cook, until the edges are crisp and golden and the yolk is cooked to your liking, about 2 minutes for runny yolks or 2 ½ to 3 minutes for medium yolks. (If you’re adding another egg to the skillet, go ahead and do it while the other is cooking.)
  • Transfer the cooked egg(s) to a plate and season to taste with salt and pepper. If you’d like to cook more eggs in the same skillet, add another scoop of Bacon Up, leave the heat at medium (you might even need to dial it down a bit to avoid smoking) and add your next egg. Repeat as necessary.
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Bacon Up® French Toast

French Toast fried in Bacon Up

 

Recipes

Bacon Up® French Toast

French Toast fried in Bacon Up
This classic French Toast recipe is easy and delicious to make, perfect for breakfast or brunch on the weekend.
Author Monica

Equipment

  • medium-sized frypan
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • spatula

Ingredients

  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 2 tsp Sugar (optional)
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 tsp Vanilla (optional)
  • 8 slices Bread
  • Bacon Up® Bacon Grease for frying

Instructions

  • Whisk the eggs and milk (plus the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla - if using), until well combined.
  • Heat a medium-sized frypan over medium heat and add a tablespoon of Bacon Up® Bacon Grease.
  • Dip two bread slices in the egg mixture for 30 seconds before flipping over for another 30 seconds.
  • Place the bread slices in the frypan and cook for 5 minutes each side over medium to medium low heat. Check every few minutes to make sure the French toast isn't burning.
  • To determine if the toast is ready, press in the center; if it springs back, it's cooked through. Repeat with remaining bread slices. Serve with your favorite maple syrup.
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Monica’s Quesadillas – with Bacon Up®

 

Recipes

Monica's Quesadillas with Bacon Up

Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Mexican
Cast Iron, Tex-Mex
Crisp warm tortillas cooked in Bacon Up® are an irresistible thing! When you fill them with cheese, meat or vegetables, they just get better.
Author Monica

Equipment

  • Large non-stick skillet (I prefer cast iron)
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula, knife

Ingredients

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 4 Tablespoons Bacon Up® Bacon Grease
  • 3 cups shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, fontina, Swiss, or mozzarella
  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups optional filling see below

Instructions

  • Preheat a large non-stick skillet to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of Bacon Up® to the skillet.
  • Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of cheese, ¼ cup of your favorite filling, and an additional 2-3 tablespoons of cheese on just one half of the open tortilla. Fold the tortilla over, place in hot skillet, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • When the cheese has begun to melt and the bottom of the tortilla is browning slightly, flip the folded quesadilla over to cook the other side. Continue to cook until all the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crisp around the edges.
  • Using a spatula, transfer the quesadilla back to a cutting board and cut into wedges while it is hot, and serve warm. Repeat as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Suggested quesadilla combinations: (get creative and have fun with it!)
• pulled pork, onions, and mozzarella cheese
• chopped chicken, peppers, and pepper jack cheese
• chopped baby spinach, thin mushrooms, chopped chicken, fontina
• thinly sliced apple, fontina, and cheddar cheese
• roasted broccoli and cheddar cheese
• thinly sliced mushrooms, zucchini, and Monterey jack cheese
• scrambled eggs, crumbled bacon or sausage, cheddar cheese
• roasted green chile peppers, cheese (cheddar, pepper jack or Monterey jack)
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Bacon Up® Loaded Potato Tot Nacho Bar

Bacon Up Potato Tot Nachos

 

Recipes

Monica's Bacon Up® Loaded Potato Tot Nacho Bar

Appetizer
American
entertaining
Bacon Up Potato Tot Nachos
This idea is a platform for your creativity - and Bacon Up brings even more flavor to the unlimited possibilities! Don't want to deep fry your potato tots? See the Notes section for tips on baking them with Bacon Up!
Author Monica

Equipment

  • Large Pot, Deep Fryer, OR Baking Sheet
  • If frying in pot or fryer, you'll need a Fry Basket
  • Small Saucepan
  • Jar with Lid (to refrigerate Pickled Jalapeños)
  • Small Bowl with Lid (to mix and refrigerate Sriracha Crema)
  • Cast Iron Skillet or Baking Sheet

Ingredients

Potato Tot Nachos

  • Bacon Up® Bacon Grease amount will vary depending on whether you're frying or baking
  • 1 bag Frozen Potato Tots
  • 1 cup Chili with beans homemade or your favorite canned variety
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese OR Queso
  • 1 medium Red Onion chopped
  • Pickled Jalapeño (see below)
  • Cilantro

Pickled Jalapeños

  • 4 Jalapeños sliced
  • 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1 clove Garlic sliced
  • 1 Tbsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt

Sriracha Crema

  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 2 Tbsp Sriracha
  • 1 Lime juiced
  • to taste Sea Salt

Instructions

Pickled Jalapeños

  • In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, garlic, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.
  • Add the sliced jalapeños to the pickling mixture, stirring well. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.
  • Transfer to a jar the jalapeños and enough liquid to cover. With lid on, refrigerate until ready to use.

Sriracha Crema

  • Mix sour cream, sriracha, sea salt and lime juice together in a small bowl.  Allow it to sit, unrefrigerated, for 90 minutes
  • Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Potato Tot Nachos (Fried) - see Note below for Baking Tips

  • Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Add to a large pot of deep fryer enough Bacon Up® Bacon Grease to fry in. Heat to 375°F.
  • Slowly drop a basket of Potato Tots into the grease and cook for 3 minutes
  • Drain tots onto a paper towel, sprinkle on salt and transfer to a cast iron skillet or baking pan. Repeat until all tots are finished.
  • Spread tots in a single layer, then add heated chili to the tots and top with shredded cheddar or drizzled queso.
  • Place back into the 450°F oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
  • Garnish with pickled jalapeños, red onion, cilantro and Sriracha crema.
  • Serve and enjoy

Notes

Don’t want to FRY?  Bake with Bacon Up! 
  •  Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 
  • Melt a couple of tablespoons of Bacon Up on a cookie sheet.
  • Layer the potato tots on the baking sheet and toss around until well covered.
  • Cook for 25-30 minutes or until crispy.
  • Proceed to top and garnish with your favorites, as above.
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Bacon Up® Maryland-Style Crab Cakes

Bacon Up Maryland-Style Crab Cakes

 

Recipes

Bacon Up® Maryland-Style Crab Cakes

Main Course
Seafood
meatless
Bacon Up Maryland-Style Crab Cakes
For the best texture, use lump crab meat, little filler and cook in a hot skillet with Bacon Up. Serve with lemon wedges, arugula, cocktail sauce or your favorite remoulade sauce.
Author Monica

Equipment

  • Large Bowl
  • Skillet (I like Cast Iron!)

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp Bacon Up® Bacon Grease
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 Tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped
  • 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 lb Fresh Lump Crab Meat
  • 2/3 cup Saltine Cracker Crumbs (about 14 crackers)
  • Lemon wedges, arugula, cocktail sauce or remoulade sauce OPTIONAL - to garnish/dip in

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk the egg, mayonnaise, parsley, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, lemon juice and salt together in a large bowl.
  • Place the crab meat on top, followed by the cracker crumbs. Very gently, fold together. You don’t want to break up the crab meat.
  • Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to one day.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of Bacon Up in a skillet, they fry cakes for about 3 minutes per side, or until brown crust forms on both sides of the crab cakes.
  • Serve with lemon wedges, arugula, cocktail sauce or your favorite remoulade sauce.
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Bacon Up® Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Roasted fingerling potatoes

 

Recipes

Bacon Up® Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs

Side Dish
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes tossed with Bacon Up, garlic, and rosemary are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. These easy-to-make oven-roasted potatoes are the perfect side dish for almost any meal!
Author Monica

Equipment

  • Rimmed Baking Sheet
  • Foil
  • Large Mixing Bowl - OPTIONAL (can mix on baking sheet, if you prefer)

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Fingerling Potatoes cut in half, lengthwise
  • 3 Tbsp Bacon Up® Bacon Grease
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Rosemary finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley finely chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
  • Spread the sliced potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. To the potatoes, add the garlic and rosemary, drizzle with Bacon Up, and season with salt and pepper. Toss well, until the potatoes are well coated. (NOTE: You can also do this step in a mixing bowl and then transfer to the baking sheet, if you prefer.)
  • Roast the potatoes for 15minutes. Remove from the oven and stir.
  • Return the potatoes to the oven and roast for 5 to 10 additional minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender and golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and toss with the chopped parsley. Serve.
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