Blueberry Sundae With Candied Bacon Food

BLUEBERRY SUNDAE WITH CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• First, make the candied bacon. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a baking tray with baking parchment, lay out the rashers of bacon, then cover with another sheet of parchment and another baking tray to make the bacon flat. Cook for 20 mins until crisp, then remove the top tray and sheet of parchment. Brush with half the maple syrup and continue cooking for 5 mins more, turning over halfway through cooking and brushing with more syrup. Leave to cool on a wire rack, bending the rashers into an 'S' shape while still warm and malleable.
• For the blueberry compote, put 200g of the blueberries in a saucepan with the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a fast simmer. Bubble for 5 mins until the berries pop and turn saucy and syrupy, then throw in the remaining blueberries and cook for 1-2 mins more. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Can be made ahead and chilled for up to 3 days.
• To assemble the sundaes, spoon a little compote into the bottom of 4 sundae glasses. Add a crumbled cookie, scoops of ice cream and some peanuts to each glass. Repeat the layers once more, then top with a piece of crispy candied bacon.

WHISKEY MAPLE SUNDAES WITH CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• For the whiskey sauce: Combine the heavy cream, maple syrup, corn syrup and salt in a medium saucepan and stir. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce has reduced and thickened, about 25 minutes. (The sauce should bubble slightly as it's cooking). Stir in the whiskey and take off the heat.
• Pour into a container and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.
• For the candied bacon: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and lay the bacon slices on the rack. Microwave the maple syrup and brown sugar together in a small bowl until just melted, 15 to 20 seconds, then stir or whisk to combine. Brush the mixture on both sides of the bacon.
• Bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove and let the bacon cool on the rack for a few minutes, then gently lift the bacon off the rack and set it back down. (Doing this will ensure it doesn't stick to the rack when it cools.)
• For the sundae: Using a 2-ounce scoop, put 3 scoops of ice cream in a dish. Drizzle some of the chilled maple whiskey sauce over the ice cream. Cut a slice of bacon in half and arrange in the dish. Top with the chopped toffee bars. Repeat 5 more times and enjoy!

CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Mix the brown sugar and cumin. Dredge each bacon slice on both sides through the sugar mixture.
• Place the bacon on a baking pan with sides and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon. Place on a paper towel to drain the excess fat.