Candied Bacon Cheddar Straws Recipes

LORRAINE'S BACON-CHEDDAR STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll the puff pastry into a large rectangle, 1/4-inch-thick.
• Rotate the pastry so that the longer side is facing you. Spread the mustard evenly over the pastry. Lay the bacon slices on the pastry, long side facing you, leaving a small gap in between each slice. Trim any messy edges that spill over the puff pastry, to neaten the rectangle into a straighter edge. Sprinkle the Cheddar over the bacon. Cut in between each slice to form individual pastry-bacon strips.
• Carefully twist each strip 4 or 5 times, so it looks like a curly straw. Place on the prepared baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Chill in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the twists from the fridge and brush a second time with beaten egg. Bake until the pastry is well risen and golden-brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.

CHEESY BACON STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and fit a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• In a small saucepot, mix the maple syrup, red pepper flakes, orange juice and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.
• Line up the bacon slices on the wire rack and brush with the hot maple syrup mixture. Sprinkle some cheese on each piece of bacon. With a skewer in hand, fold the end of a piece of bacon in half lengthwise and press the skewer through the end. Do this to 4 pieces of bacon, spreading them out evenly across the skewer, and place the skewer on the baking sheet. Twist the bacon pieces into long spirals so as to create straws. Take another skewer and skewer the bottom of each piece of bacon to keep the bacon twisted. Do this to all the bacon.
• Bake until the bacon browns, about 35 minutes. Let cool slightly on the rack; the bacon will get crunchy as it sits. Serve immediately.

CARAMELIZED BACON TWISTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with foil., In a shallow bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut bacon strips crosswise in half; dip in sugar mixture to coat. Twist 2 or 3 times, then place in prepared pan. Bake until browned and crisp, 15-20 minutes. Freeze option: Freeze cooled bacon twists in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. If desired, reheat in a microwave oven or on a foil-lined baking sheet in a preheated 350° oven before serving.

CHEDDAR AND BACON PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and allow to cool slightly, then finely chop. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese and scallions. Season with salt and pepper.
• Unfold the pastry sheets on a lightly floured work surface. Lightly roll each piece of pastry into a 10-inch square. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the entire surface of each piece of pastry, leaving a slight border around the edges. Sprinkle the Cheddar and bacon in an even layer over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Tightly roll each pastry sheet into a log (jelly roll style), then pinch the seam closed and place seam-side down on the work surface.
• Using a sharp knife, cut both logs crosswise into 12 pinwheels each, approximately 1 inch thick. Transfer 12 pinwheels to each prepared baking sheet, spiral-side up. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and 1 tablespoon water until combined to make an egg wash. Brush the tops and sides of the pinwheels with the egg wash.
• Bake the pinwheels until puffed and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm.