Fiery Summer Bruschetta With Zesty Olive Spread And Spicy Candied Bacon Recipes

CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment.
• Separate the bacon into strips and blot each dry. Spread the sugar on a large plate. Press both sides of each bacon strip in the sugar. Arrange the coated bacon on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with any remaining sugar.
• Bake the bacon for 15 minutes, turn the strips over and continue to bake until golden and glazed, 15 to 20 minutes more (it will still be pliable). Remove to a rack and let cool; the bacon will harden but it won't be super crispy.

FIERY SUMMER BRUSCHETTA W/ ZESTY OLIVE SPREAD & SPICY CANDIE

Steps:

• For the bacon -Preheat oven to 450. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Place a baking rack over the paper lined tray and arrange bacon slices across the rack - do not overlap. In small bowl combine the syrup and cayenne. With pastry brush, brush the bacon generously with the mixture. Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until done. Set aside until ready to use.
• For the Summer Salad - In bowl, add the vinegar, honey, Dijon and lime juice and zest. Whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle the olive oil to make a dressing. Add remaining ingredients to bowl and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to use.
• For the bruschetta - In large sauté pan, add the olive oil, cayenne and garlic. When garlic has browned, remove and discard. Add the bread slices and cook until browned. You may need to add more olive oil to pan if the bread soaks up too much. Flip the bread and season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking on this side until it is browned. Remove to tray and set aside until ready to plate the dish.
• For the Zesty Olive Spread - in food processor, place all ingredients. Pulse until all ingredients are pureed. Check for seasoning and set aside until ready to use.
• Assembly - Place two pieces bread on each plate. Spread the zesty olive spread ontop of the bread. Lay two pieces candied bacon ontop of the spread. Top with the summer salad.

SPICY BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cut french bread into thin slices (
• Cut tomatoes into thin slices and set aside.
• Keeping separated finely chop shallot, green onion, celery, cilantro, parsley, basil and oregano.
• In a pan, using 2 oz olive oil sauté until soft (3-5 min): shallot, 3 tbls green onion, celery, parsley, basil,1 1/2 tbls cilantro, 1 tbls pressed garlic.
• In a bowl mix together all cheeses (may have to microwave cheese 30 sec), cooled down sautéed ingredients from pan, garlic powder white pepper and cayenne pepper, best if refrigerated a few hours before spreading.
• Put butter remaining olive oil and remaining garlic in a cup and melt down in a microwave.
• Spread sliced bread on large cookie sheet.
• Stir butter and generously brush it on one side of each piece of bread.
• Put bread in broiler until lightly toasted.
• Spread cheese mixture on cooled down bread.
• Place sliced olives (2-3) on each piece.
• Top with 2 or 3 slices of tomato.
• Mix remaining cilantro and green onion and sprinkle over each slice.
• You may have to chop some more cilantro and green onion for this.
• Remember cilantro has a very powerful taste so use sparingly.
• You can serve cold or put in oven at 350 for 5-8 minutes not allowing cheese to run.