Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipes

BALSAMIC AND BROWN SUGAR BACON

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with foil. Place wire rack on foil.
• Arrange bacon in single layer on rack. Bake 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
• Turn bacon over; spoon brown sugar and balsamic mixture over bacon slices. Bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until golden brown. Remove from rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON AND BALSAMIC

Steps:

• Combine Brussels sprouts and bacon in a cast iron skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until Brussels sprouts start to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Drizzle 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar on top.
• Transfer Brussels sprouts and bacon to a serving platter; drizzle remaining balsamic vinegar on top.

OUR FAVORITE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a glass jar with a lid. Replace lid on the jar and shake vigorously until thoroughly combined.

WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp; remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 T drippings in skillet.
• Cook shallots and garlic in hot drippings for 3 minutes, or until tender. Add brown sugar and cook stirring constantly for one minute or until sugar is dissolved.
• Process garlic mixture, orange juice, and remaining ingredients in blender until combined.
• FYI the cooked bacon is not actually used in this recipe, but you can top your salad with it if desired.

BACON AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Slice bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and fry until just crispy. Drain on paper towels.
• Remove bacon from pan, and all but 2 Tbsp of the bacon fat.
• Gently saute the onion until just soft, making sure not to brown.
• Add the brown sugar, blend in and then add the vinegar. Reduce for a minute or two.
• Add the olive oil, as much as to your taste and the salt and pepper to taste.
• Cool, but do not refrigerate. Dress your salad just before serving.
• Serve this warm or at room temperature over a salad of hearty greens like romaine. I usually add some very finely sliced red onion rings, mushrooms and homemade croutons, but let your imagination work here. I've thought of trying it in the summer with just onions and fresh sliced strawberries.

BALSAMIC-BACON VINAIGRETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small (1-quart) saucepan over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a dish lined with paper towels, leaving the bacon fat in the pan. Add the shallot to the bacon fat and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 Tbs. of the vinegar and scrape the bottom of the pan with a spoon to dissolve the browned bits stuck to the pan bottom. Off the heat, stir in the remaining 1/2 Tbs. vinegar, the lemon juice, and the mustard. Gradually whisk in the olive oil (don't worry if the sauce doesn't emulsify). Season with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper, or to taste. Drizzle the sauce over steamed vegetables and sprinkle with the cooked bacon bits.

BACON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels (reserve as garnish for Spinach Salad with Shrimp and Fennel). Remove skillet from heat. Reserve 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet; mix in oil. Whisk vinegar, shallots, garlic and brown sugar in small bowl. Add to drippings in skillet. Stir over medium-low heat just until warm. Season with salt and pepper. Use warm.

BROCCOLI WITH BALSAMIC-BACON VINAIGRETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally until crisp, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a dish lined with paper towels, leaving the fat in the pan.
• Add the shallot to the bacon fat and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes (if you want to reduce the fat, use a nonstick pan and discard all but a tiny bit of the bacon grease).
• Add 1 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and scrape with a spoon to dissolve brown bits stuck to the pan.
• Off the heat, stir in the remaining vinegar, the lemon juice and mustard.
• Gradually whisk in the oil (don't worry if the sauce doesn't emulsify).
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook the broccoli: Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in a pot fitted with a steamer insert. Put the broccoli in the steamer; sprinkle with salt, cover tightly and steam until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
• The broccoli should be neither crisp nor soft, but exactly in between. To check, bite into a piece you quickly run under cold water, being careful not to burn your tongue. Transfer to a serving bowl.
• Briefly reheat the sauce if necessary. Drizzle over the steamed broccoli, sprinkle with the bacon bits and serve.