Bacon Croutons Food

SWEET POTATO-PARSNIP SOUP WITH BACON CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine 5 tablespoons olive oil, the onion, leeks, 2 teaspoons thyme, a big pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large pot or Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes, parsnips, chicken broth, 3 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and the cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes and parsnips are tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the bacon and drippings to a large bowl.
• Add the bread, cheese and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the bacon and drippings. Season with salt and pepper and toss, then spread out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing once or twice, until toasted and the cheese is melted, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth (or puree in batches in a regular blender). Season with salt and more cayenne to taste. Thin with water as needed. Divide the soup among bowls. Top with a swirl of creme fraiche, the croutons and the remaining 2 teaspoons thyme.

BACON CROUTONS

Steps:

• Brown some bacon - I do a pound so I can add to salad in addition to the croutons or use it with eggs etc -- don't think a pound of bacon will go to waste anywhere?.
• Cut your bread - I use homemade bread that is a bit past it's prime. I cut the croutons fairly large - like the ones you buy at the grocery? You could use brioche or other bakery bread. Not sure how this would be on purchased sliced bread --
• Heat your oven to 350.
• Put the bread cubes into a big bowl. Drizzle 1 tbl of bacon grease over the croutons, gently stir. Repeat 4 times - this ought to distribute the grease fairly well. Sprinkle in the salt and then stir again.
• Bake croutons in oven 350 degrees for 10 min - stir - bake 5 more minutes.
• Keep for a day or two - serving with soup or salad -- in a sealed container.

TOMATO SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE AND BACON CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Saute until vegetables have softened, about 7-8 minutes. Add tomato - Italian seasoning, stirring to combine. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and blend soup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Return soup to pot and keep warm.
• Heat nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add ½ tbsp butter and melt. Add both slices of white bread, allowing them to soak up the butter. Spread cheese on one side of the bread. Top with 3 slices of bacon per sandwich followed by more cheese. Stack the other slice of bread on top, buttered side facing up. Spread cheese on top of the bread and cook until golden brown on the bottom.
• Melt the remaining butter in the pan. Flip the sandwich over and spread cheese on the top of the bread. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Flip sandwich over once more and let cheese on the outside caramelize and get crispy. Remove sandwich from the pan. Cut into bite size pieces. Ladle soup into bowls and top with grilled cheese and bacon croutons.

TENDER ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• This works great as a stand-alone recipe, but also as a component in Jamie's Sunny Gathering from Together - see the full collection of menus here.
• GET AHEAD Roughly chop the green part of the spring onions and place in a blender with the mustard, vinegar and 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Tear in three-quarters of the parsley leaves, add a swig of water and blitz until smooth. Season to perfection, tasting and tweaking, then cover. Pick the remaining parsley leaves into a bowl, then trim, finely slice and add the whites of the spring onions, and cover with water. Refrigerate both overnight.
• ON THE DAY Put a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat. Finely slice the bacon, chop the bread into 1cm chunks, and place it all in the pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a good pinch of black pepper. Cook for 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp, tossing regularly. Keep in the pan, ready to reheat. Divide the dressing between a large serving bowl and a smaller bowl, ready for drizzling. Snap the woody ends off the asparagus, then cook in a large pan of boiling water for 3 minutes, or until just tender. Use tongs to transfer the asparagus straight into the larger bowl of dressing, tossing to coat. Gently lower the eggs into the boiling water with a pinch of sea salt to cook for 6 minutes, then drain, cool under cold running water, and peel.
• TO SERVE Heat up the croutons. Halve the eggs and dot among the asparagus. Drain the parsley and spring onion garnish, pat dry, then scatter over the top, and take everything to the table - the asparagus will be delicious hot, warm or cold. I enjoy this starter with a glass of quality cold sparkling cider.