Introduction: Extreme Bacon Appreciation- Dinner for 2

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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.








Step 2: Prepare Your Burger Bundle.

Ingerdients you'll need:

1 and 1/4 lbs Ground Beef
2 slices of Bacon (oops... I forgot to picture them!)
Salt and Pepper
Mashed Potato Roll (It's in your frig, chilling ;-)

Tools you'll need:

Plastic Wrap
A Rolling Pin
A Casserole dish or a bread pan

Pull out a long 18" sheet  of Saran (plastic) wrap and lay it on your countertop.

Place your Ground Beef on top of it.

Pull out another 18" sheet of Saran wrap and put it on top of your Ground Beef.

Roll the Ground beef to a thickness of 1/2-3/4" or so. Salt and pepper it. 

Unwrap the Potato Roll from the plastic wrap and place it on the Ground Beef.

Roll it up securely and seal the ends... then lay  the Bacon Strips on top.

Bake (uncovered) in a preheated 325 degree Oven for 1 hour.

Remove from the oven and transfer to a clean plate... but SAVE the dripping for your gravy.  Cover the Bacon Burger Loaf loosely with foil and set aside for 10 minutes... while you saute your Green Beans and prepare the Bacon Gravy. 






 

Step 3: Sauteed Green Beans and Bacon Gravy

For the Green Beans, you'll need:

1/2 lbs fresh, crisp Green Beans. (Only snap off the stem end)
1-2 Tablespoons of pure Bacon Grease. (Not the drippings from your Bacon Burger Loaf... that's for your Bacon Gravy.)

Tools:

A Frying Pan and a wooden spoon.

Preparation:

Heat the Bacon Grease over medium-high heat until melted, then add the Green Beans. Saute quickly and stir frquently, about 7 minutes until tender-crisp. Don't let them burn or you'll hate yourself!

AND... Since you're already at your stovetop sauteeing your Green Beans. This is the perfect opportunity to simultaneously make your Bacon gravy. That's why God gave you 2 hands, right? ;-)

For the Bacon Gravy, you'll need:

1 packet Brown Gravy Mix 
1/4 cup Drippings (reserved from your Bacon Burger Loaf)  
3/4 Cup water 

Combine all ingredients cook and STIR constantly over medium-high heat until the Gravy comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to thicken a few minutes. If the Gravy is too thick, add a little water to get the desired consistancy. Reheat just before serving.

Step 4: The Final Assembly... Time to Serve!

Take both of your large (2-serving) Crusted Bacon Butterballs out of the frig and cut each one in half . (1/2 per serving)

Slice the Bacon Burger Bundle using a serrated knife. Plate it and drizzle with your Bacon Gravy.

Spoon up 1/2 of the sauteed Green Beans onto each plate and top it with the Almond Bacon Butterballs. 

Smother your warm (freshly -microwaved;-) Rolls with Double-dipped Bacon Butterballs and add them to your plate.

SERVE... (and don't forget the bibs! ;-)