Bacon Lettuce Tomato Pasta Food

SUMMERY TOMATO AND BACON PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Put the bacon in a large, cold skillet then cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Set aside.
• Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the arugula, basil and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and top with the bacon. The pasta salad is best if served right away.
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BACON AND TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, boil 3 quarts of water, when boiling add 2 tablespoons kosher salt and the pasta and cook until the pasta is al dente.
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, add bacon and saute until bacon is crispy. Remove bacon to drain on a paper towel-lined plate and remove 3/4 of the bacon fat from the pan. Add extra-virgin olive oil, onions, and red chili flakes. Cook until onions are translucent, add garlic, cook for 2 minutes then add tomatoes. Saute for 5 minutes, then deglaze with wine.
• Drain pasta and add to the tomato mixture pan. Add basil and bacon. Toss with Parmesan, and add salt and pepper, to taste.

BLT PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just under al dente, 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, and drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-low heat until crisp, stirring occasionally to make sure it does not burn, about 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Turn heat to medium and add the tomatoes to the skillet, tossing them to coat in the bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper. As the moisture from the tomatoes releases, scrape any browned bits that have accumulated at the bottom of the pan (add a few tablespoons of the pasta water if you need to) and continue to cook until the tomatoes begin to fall apart, about 5 to 7 minutes more. Add half the cooked bacon back to the skillet and toss to combine.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and add the pasta directly to the skillet tossing to coat with the sauce. Add the arugula and 1/4 cup of the pasta water and carefully toss (you'll have a very full pan) until the arugula wilts. Add the cheese and an additional 1/4 cup pasta water and toss together until the cheese emulsifies and the pasta is glossy with sauce. If needed, add another 1/4 cup pasta water to loosen the sauce.
• Serve in bowls and top with remaining bacon. Pass the grated Pecorino Romano at the table and season with flaky salt, if desired.

BACON, LETTUCE & TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, cook cream cheese, milk and Parmesan in large skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. or until cream cheese is melted and sauce is well blended, stirring frequently. Add all remaining ingredients except pasta; cook and stir 5 min. or until heated through.
• Drain pasta; return to pan. Add sauce; toss to coat.

BACON, LETTUCE AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook bacon until it is crisp by your favorite method.
• Crumble, and set it aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of the drippings in a small bowl.
• Whisk together the reserved bacon drippings, mayonnaise, vinegar and basil and let dressing sit, covered, at room temperature while you finish making the salad.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, toss the bread pieces with the salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with the oil, and cook, stirring constantly, until the croutons are crisp and golden brown.
• In a large salad bowl mix together the romaine, tomatoes, bacon and croutons.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
• Serve immediately.

BACON, LETTUCE & TOMATO BUCATINI

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the bucatini.
• Mince garlic for the bread crumbs in a food processor. Add cubed bread, and process until coarse. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium; add crumbs and toast until golden, 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Season with salt and set aside.
• Saute bacon for the pasta in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp, then drain pieces on a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of drippings.
• Carmelize the tomatoes and sugar in the drippings over medium heat. Cook until tomatoes begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add leeks; saute until wilted, 3-4 minutes.
• Deglaze skillet with wine; simmer until liquid is nearly evaporated. Add the broth, vinegar and pepper flakes. Simmer until liquid is reduced by a third, about 5 minutes.
• Cook bucatini in boiling water according to package directions. Add spinach, thyme, and bacon pieces to sauce. Transfer cooked pasta from cooking water to the skillet using tongs. Toss to coat with sauce. Season with salt, then divide pasta between plates. Sprinkle pasta with reserved bacon pieces and bread crumbs before serving.

CHEF JOHN'S BLT PASTA

Steps:

• Pour olive oil into a heavy skillet over medium heat, add bacon, and cook until almost crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off heat. Hold a paper towel with tongs and mop up excess bacon grease with the paper towel, leave about 2 teaspoons bacon grease in the skillet.
• Stir minced garlic and lemon zest into bacon in the skillet and let cook in residual heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir creme fraiche into bacon mixture.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and stir in 2 cups of ditalini. Cook till tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and add pasta to the skillet. Stir pasta thoroughly into bacon and creme fraiche mixture.
• Return skillet to medium heat. Add tomatoes; cook and stir until slightly softened, about 1 minute. Mix in arugula, stirring until wilted, about 30 seconds, and turn off heat.
• Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir again and garnish with Parmesan cheese.