Pimento Cheese Bacon Tarts Food

PIMIENTO CHEESE AND BACON GRITS

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove it to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the grits and salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
• Stir in the half-and-half and cook until the grits are tender and creamy, about 20 more minutes.
• Add the pimientos, cream cheese, Cheddar and mustard and stir until melted together and combined. Chop the bacon into small pieces and add to the grits. Stir in the pepper and serve.
• If making ahead, allow the dish to cool, then cover and refrigerate. Reheat, covered in foil, at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until heated through.

PIMENTO CHEESE-BACON GRITS

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a pot. Add the grits, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper to the water and cook according to the package instructions. Keep warm and loosen with water or stock to keep from getting too thick.
• Add the bacon to a small skillet. Cook over medium heat until the bacon is crispy and the fat is rendered, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon and any bacon grease to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Stir in the creme fraiche and pimentos until all is combined and smooth. Add the Cheddar and Gouda and stir until the cheeses are coated and the whole mixture is cohesive.
• Reheat the grits until they are very hot, adding more water if necessary, to loosen. Dollop a few large spoonfuls of the pimento cheese into the grits at a time, stirring each time until melted and all the pimento cheese is incorporated. Spoon into a bowl and top with the scallions.

PIMENTO & CHEESE BACON TARTS

Steps:

• 1. Place jar of pepper jelly in a double boiler to melt. Line the phyllo cups on 2 cookie sheets. Next take the softened cream cheese and incorporate into the pimento cheese. (The cream cheese stands up to heat better than mayonnaise and the pimento cheese won't soak through the tart as easily).
• 2. To assemble the tarts, fill each tart with pimento cheese mixture, drizzle the melted pepper jelly over the pimento cheese then place some real bacon bits on top.
• 3. Cook in preheated 350* oven for 6-7 minutes. These should be served warm. This will make 60 tarts. You can make more or less depending on the size of crowd you are serving,
• 4. Note, this is the easy version.. I usually make my own pimento cheese with cream cheese and cheddar cheese as the star, Using cream cheese cuts down the amount of mayonnaise you need to use to hold your mixture together and it won't soak through the tarts as easily!
• 5. I found some delicious real bacon pieces In a Bag at Sams* Super Store. I had to make 180 of these tarts for a retirement Party. These bacon bits are delicious!

PIMIENTO CHEESE-BACON BURGER

Steps:

• Whisk the mayonnaise, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. Add the red peppers, white Cheddar and yellow Cheddar and gently fold until combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.
• Meanwhile, preheat the grill to high for direct grilling. Divide the ground chuck into four equal portions, 6 ounces each. Form each portion into a 3/4-inch burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb. Brush both sides of the burgers with the oil and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Grill the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on both sides and cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes each side for medium doneness. During the last minute of cooking, place a dollop of the cheese mixture on top of each burger and close the grill lid. Cook until the cheese has just melted, about 1 minute.
• Place the burgers on the buns and top with the bacon, onions, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce if desired.

BACON, ONION AND CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
• In a medium saute pan, cook the bacon over a medium-low heat until it begins to render, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Season with pepper. Set aside to let cool. Add the thyme to the cooled bacon-onion mixture.
• In a bowl, combine the farmer's cheese, creme fraiche, egg yolk and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
• Flour a flat surface and place the puff pastry on top. Flour the top and gently roll into a 13-by-18-inch rectangle. Cut the pastry in half and transfer each to a lined sheet pan. Using a fork, dock the puff pastry (pierce it slightly with the tines), leaving a 1-inch border untouched.
• Divide the cheese mixture between the two sheets of pastry and spread evenly on the docked area. Top each tart with half of the bacon-onion mixture.
• Place the tarts in the oven on the lower racks and bake, rotating halfway through, until the crusts are dark golden, about 25 minutes. Garnish with the pecorino and chives.

LEEK, CHEESE & BACON TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a frying pan, then gently fry the leeks until soft, about 5 mins. Cool. Unroll the pastry onto a baking sheet. Spread the soft cheese over the pastry to within 3cm of the edges. Scatter over the leeks, bacon and grated emmental.
• Flip the edges of the pastry over the filling. Bake for 20 mins until golden.