Extreme Bacon Appreciation- Dinner for 2

International Bacon Day is celebrated on the Saturday before Labor Day (USA- the first Monday in September.)  This year, 2011, that's the 5th of September... but why wait?

This simple, hearty Menu guaranteed to satisfy the Bacon lover in everyone.  Tuck in your napkin-bib and prepare to pig out... because there's no such thing as too much bacon! ;-P~

Tonight's menu:

• Bacon Burger Loaf stuffed with Bacon-garlic mashed potatoes
• Brown Bacon Gravy
• Fresh Green beans, sauteed in Bacon Drippings and topped with Almond Bacon Butter 
• Country Dinner Rolls w/ double-dipped Bacon Butter

Step 1 Potato prep come first...

You'll need:

• 2  Medium-sized  Russet Potatoes, 6-7 oz. each  (Peeled or unpeeled, your choice. If unpeeled, scrub them clean.)
• 2-3 slices of Bacon strips- Raw
• 3 cloves of Garlic- Peeled
• 2 Tablespoons Cream (or milk.)

Put all of the above ingredients in a Saucepan and cover with cold water. 
Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the potatoes are tender. 

Remove from heat and strain.

Place cooked potatoes and garlic cloves in a deep bowl. 

Finely chop the boiled bacon and add it to the Potatoes and Garlic. 

Using a Hand Mixer, beat all of the ingredients on low for 1 minute. Then, turn the Mixer on High and slowly add just enough cream that produces a fluffy but firm texture.

Scoop your mashed potatoes onto a long sheet of plastic wrap and wrap it up in a tube shape. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Prepare your Almond Bacon Butterballs  and Double-dipped Bacon Butterballs:

You'll need:

• 1/4C Butter- Room-temperature 
• 1/8C Bacon Crumbles
• 1 tsp. Deviled Ham 
• 1 Tablespoon sliced Almonds
• 1 Tablespoon Bacon Bits.

With a fork, cream together the first 3 ingredients. Spoon into a bowl and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.

In another bowl, place 1 heaping Tablespoon of sliced almonds.

In a third bowl,  place 1 heaping Tablespoon of Bacon bits.

With a spoon, scoop out 2 T of chilled Bacon Butter and drop it onto the almonds. Roll to coat. 

With a spoon, scoop out the remaining 2 T of chilled Bacon Butter and drop it onto the Bacon crumbles. Roll to coat. 

Once coated, gently roll each encrusted Bacon Butterballs between your palms to form a nice ball.

Refrigerate until needed.

If you'd like explicit picture instructions, please view my "Assorted Bacon Butterballs" Instructable.