YumSugar

Simple Tip: Cook Bacon in the Oven

YumSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:37:46 PDT

Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

A couple of years ago I watched the Barefoot Contessa roast bacon in the oven. She was making a BLT and didn't need the bacon fat. I had never thought to bake bacon, and the idea has changed my life! Now, I roast bacon all the time. It's an easy, convenient, and splatter-free way to cook it. Here's what you do:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cover a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Place the raw bacon in a row on the parchment paper.
Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crisp and cooked.
Remove bacon to paper towel lined plates, pat dry, and use however you want.

Do you ever cook bacon in the oven?

Fast & Easy Dinner: Spicy Bacon Spaghetti

Lauren Hendrickson — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:09:17 PST

Just because you're short on time doesn't mean you shouldn't make your own pasta sauce! This quick and spicy bacon-tomato pasta sauce is chock-full of flavor and takes only about a half hour to make. I had applewood smoked bacon on hand, but next time, I will use pepper bacon to add a little more complexity to the dish. To really heat things up, I used two jalapenos with no seeds - feel free to adjust it depending on your palate. Ready to simmer your own spicy pasta sauce? Keep reading for the recipe.

3 Healthy Ways to Splurge on Salty Foods

Prevention — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:08:38 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Yes, you can have your cake (or pizza, or cheeseburger) and eat it too. But you need to learn what "moderation" really means. Here's how.
By Amy Ahlberg, Prevention

You already know that a too-strict eating plan can backfire, resulting in a blowout binge or, worse, throwing you off the wagon altogether. But when it comes to allowing yourself a little leeway, moderation is key. But what does "moderation" even mean? For gourmands, a cheeseburger a week might seem reasonable; for health nuts, maybe it's one every 3 months - minus the cheese and bun. To find out who's right, we turned to Sarah Krieger, RD, and Joan Salge Blake, RD, spokespeople for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For starters, they say you should only indulge in what you love - and skip the rest. If you don't have a weakness for fries, don't eat them just because they're there; and if you don't have a sweet tooth, don't have dessert simply because your dinner buddy does. "For me, I skip pizza and burgers, but I eat a great-tasting sweet treat every day," says Krieger. "I balance it with exercise and eating a variety of nutritious foods." For more tips, read on. But first, some ground rules:

7 Reasons Your Diet Isn’t Working

Step one: If you're overweight or have health concerns - especially heart disease or diabetes-talk to your doctor. This advice is based on an average 2,000-calorie diet, consumed by American adults at a healthy weight.

Keep reading for more ground rules and salty splurges.

Makin' Bacon: 15 Amazing Bacon Dishes

Mandy Harris — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:13:17 PST

Bacon seems to be the trend that just won't stop, as evidenced by its appearance in a Jack in the Box milkshake. If this bacon concoction isn't really your thing, don't worry. We've got a whole arsenal of recipes that feature, or are enhanced by, the salty cured pork that we all know and love.

Oyster Lovers: Make These!

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:45:11 PST

Although you can essentially enjoy the briny bivalve all year round, it's widely known that oysters are best eaten in months that have a letter "R." Oysters are delicious on the half shell, but my favorite way to prepare them is casino-style. Bacon and butter make everything taste better! The best thing about this recipe is that it can be prepared in advance. The herb butter will keep for a couple of days in the fridge, and the bacon can be crisped the night before you plan to serve the oysters. Bake them just before eating. Offer the oysters with sparkling wine and you've got the perfect appetizer. Here's the uncomplicated recipe.

Would You Drink a Bacon Shake?

Camilla Salem — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:16:54 PST

Jack in the Box announced its new bacon milk shake, which it's added to the menu for a very limited time. Although the bacon trend doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon, we're on the fence about this one. Made with vanilla ice cream and bacon-flavored syrup, I hate to admit that it sounds like it might be delicious. What do you think? Would you try a bacon shake?

Savory Sight: Bacon Cornbread

Yum Community — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:21:48 PST

We don't really need to expound on why we're excited about this recipe from CheesePlease. The words "bacon" and "cornbread" speak for themselves.

This bacon cornbread is moist and fluffy, yet still holds together after you cut into it. I added a little bit of honey into the batter for a touch of sweetness. The secret to this cornbread is to whisk the bacon drippings into your wet ingredients.

Do you need this recipe as badly as we do? Find it on her blog, then upload your delicious recipes into our Kitchen Goddess community group.

Savory Sight: Bacon Bread Pudding

Yum Community — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:02:17 PST

Bacon doesn't do anything wrong - and that certain truth applies to everything, including the blank canvas of bread. Here, Monica Bennett shows how, when combined, bacon, apples, and sage make for a killer sweet-salty bread pudding.

Bread pudding is like a blank canvas. The sky is the limit as far as what you can add. This time I wanted something savory. I was craving bacon so into my bread pudding it went along with some diced apples and sage from my garden.

For the recipe, check out her blog - and share your latest culinary creations with us in the YumSugar Community.

Southern Side: Creamed Collard Greens

Susannah Chen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:05:11 PST

I'm a little sick of the traditional Thanksgiving meal. That's why this year I plan on serving slightly different versions of old favorites - like a turkey roulade instead of a whole roasted turkey, for instance.

Rather than the usual green bean casserole, I'm reaching for a neo-Southern riff on the creamed spinach standby, and plan on impressing guests with creamed collard greens. Unlike creamed spinach, this vegetable side isn't swimming in heavy cream; the cream adds subtle body, while smoky bacon rounds out the collards' bitter character.

But the pièce de résistance is really the crispy, cheesy crumb topping. Be sure to make a generous amount, because the more, the better. Add a new tradition to your meal when you keep reading

Killer App: Caramelized Leek, Goat Cheese, and Bacon Dip

Lauren Hendrickson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:59:36 PST

Everyone loves caramelized onion dip, but this holiday season, change it up by using a brother to the onion, the leek! Leeks are more mild in flavor, but once mixed with a crunchy bacon and tangy goat cheese, they make a delicious dip. The best part of this dip: it can prepared one day in advance, so you don't have to fret over it the day of your dinner party. Just be sure to set it out an hour or two before to bring it up to room temperature before serving. I served it with thinly sliced french baguette and tortilla chips for a little more crunch, but a crudité platter would also be a wonderful accompaniment. Top it with a smidgen of chives to add a little more color and even more flavor to the dip. Keep reading for this simple and scrumptious recipe.