Web Exclusive Round 2 Recipe Tortellini With Caramelized Onion And Bacon 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.)

(WEB EXCLUSIVE) ROUND 2 RECIPE: MEXICAN FRIED RICE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, over medium heat, fry the bacon until just crisp. Add the jalapenos and saute until slightly softened. Stir in the Zesty Rice Salad and cook until rice is heated through. Add corn, diced tomatoes, and chili seasoning. Continue to fry on medium heat until corn is cooked and tomatoes are hot. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a medium sauce pot. Add garlic, and rice and saute for 2 minutes until rice is toasted. Add 2 1/4 cups water, chili seasoning and season with a pinch of salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking sheet and let cool.
• In a large bowl combine onion, yellow pepper, cooled rice, beans, vinegar and cilantro. Mix well and serve.

TORTELLINI

Steps:

• In a bowl combine all ingredients, except for the pasta and egg wash.
• Using the fresh pasta recipe, roll out your dough either by hand or by machine. Cut into 3 or 4- inch rounds with a round cookie cutter. Place 1/4 teaspoon into the center of each round. Brush egg wash (on the bottom half of the round and fold over to seal. Fold back around your finger and turn down the edge to form a tortellini.
• In half a gallon of rapidly boiling salted water add the tortellini in batches. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Remove to a strainer to drain.
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• By Hand: On a clean surface make a well with the flour. In a measuring cup mix the eggs, water and oil and salt. Pour the wet mixture slowly into the flour and mix with your 2 fingers until all of the wet is incorporated. Do not force the dough to take all of the flour. If you are going to use a pasta machine to roll out the dough you may at this point form the dough into a disk and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to rest. If you going to roll this by hand you should knead the dough on a floured work surface for 8 to 10 minutes. .
• In the bowl of your food processor combine the flour and salt and pulse 2 to 3 times. In a liquid measuring cup whisk the eggs, water and oil. While pulsing the machine pour this mixture in a continuous stream and continue running the machine until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Follow directions above for hand rolling or machine. .
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings .
• Preparation time: 5 minutes .
• Cooking time: 3 to 5 minutes in boiling water .
• Ease of Preparation: easy.