Pecans Bacon Caramelized Baby Onions Gorgonzola Cheese O Food

CARAMELIZED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil (for easy cleaning) and place a wire baking rack on top.
• Combine the brown sugar and pecans in a food processor and process until the pecans are finely ground. Add the salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper and pulse to combine. Add the maple syrup and pulse again to moisten the crumbs.
• Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise and line up the pieces on the baking rack without touching. With a small spoon, evenly spread the pecan mixture on top of each piece of bacon, using all of the mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is very browned but not burnt. If it's underbaked, the bacon won't crisp as it cools.
• While it's hot, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside to cool. Serve at room temperature. (The caramelized bacon can be made early in the day and stored at room temperature.)

CARAMELIZED ONION AND BACON PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is golden brown, about 9 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate using a slotted spoon. Add the onions to the skillet and cook, covered, stirring occasionally and scraping up the stuck bits on the bottom of the pan as needed, until the onions release their juices and are caramelized, golden and soft, about 30 minutes. (If the onions begin to brown before they soften, stir in a tablespoon water, lower the heat and return to cooking.)
• Combine the butter, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in the onions until the butter melts and becomes saucy.
• Meanwhile, with a large serrated knife, shave 1/4 inch off the bottom crust of the bread.. Make 1-inch wide crosshatch cuts on the top of the bread, three-quarters of the way through to the bottom. Put the bread on the prepared baking sheet.
• Spoon 3/4 of the onion mixture into all of the slits. Mix together the Gouda and mozzarella in a small bowl, then stuff three-quarters of the cheese inside all of the slits. Spoon the remaining onion mixture on top, followed by the remaining cheese. (The bread will be very stuffed and messy.) Cover the bread loosely with foil and bake until the filling is warm and the cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a platter or cutting board and top with the bacon and parsley. Serve immediately.

CARAMELIZED PARSNIPS AND BABY ONIONS

Steps:

• Squeeze grated ginger tightly in one hand over parsnips so all the juice runs out. Discard the remaining fibrous ginger.
• Mix all ingredients together and place in a shallow tin.
• Cook uncovered at 150C/300F for 35-45 minutes, turn occasionally.
• Increase temperature to 200C/400F and cook for a further 15-20 minutes until crisp and golden.

GRILLED FILET MIGNON STEAK TOPPED WITH MELTED GORGONZOLA CHEESE

Steps:

• Trim excess fat from outer edge of steaks.
• Season to taste with pepper (no salt will be needed as the Gorgonzola is salty enough).
• Place steaks on cooking grate. Cook over Indirect/Medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes per side for medium-rare, or to desired doneness.
• Combine cheese and onions; sprinkle over steaks during last half of cooking time.

TOASTED BUTTER PECANS

Steps:

• Put pecans in a 1½-quart microwave-safe casserole. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and arrange the four pieces of butter evenly.
• Microwave on HIGH for 5-6 minutes or until pecans are crunchy.
• Stir to distribute seasoned salt and butter. Serve warm or cold.

CARAMELIZED ONION PIZZA WITH GORGONZOLA, BACON AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings. Set bacon aside.
• Add oil to bacon drippings in skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon rosemary, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking 15 to 20 minutes or until onion is a deep golden brown, stirring frequently.
• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Place pizza crust on 12-inch pizza pan. Top with onion. Add cheese and walnuts; bake 7-10 minutes or until cheese melts.
• Remove from oven; top with 1 teaspoon rosemary, reserved bacon and arugula.