mmmmm: crispy, oven cooked bacon

i love bacon. who doesn't, really? as much as i love to partake in the eating of said bacon.....the cooking of it is another matter. on the stove top or in the microwave are both messy. a friend told me about how their family now only cooks bacon in the oven....so i decided to give it a try. i'm hooked. i will never do it any other way. truly. it was simple and left the bacon crispy and caramelized. bacon heaven.

crispy oven cooked bacon

ingredients
1 to 2 pounds bacon

equipment
parchment paper  (or foil)
1 baking sheet (with sides)
tongs
paper towels
plate

instructions

1. preheat the oven to 400°F
2. arrange the bacon on a parchment lined baking sheet (this makes clean-up a breeze). lay the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer. (i like to twist the bacon so that it takes less space).
3. place the baking sheet of bacon in the oven and bake until the bacon is wonderfully golden-brown and crispy, which will take approximately 20 minutes. (exact baking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it. begin checking around 12-15 minutes to monitor how quickly the bacon is cooking. 
4. remove the bacon from the oven and use tongs to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and finish crisping. serve immediately.

let us know what you think. personally, i'm never going back to my stove top and micro ways....

mmmmm: loaded baked potato casserole

it's back to school time and, to me, that means easy-to-fix, prep-ahead meals. this loaded baked potato casserole is a family favorite----it is delicious, filling and comforting----*plus* it makes for fantastic left-overs (if you have any). :-)

loaded baked potato casserole

ingredients:

10 large russet baking potatoes (about 7 pounds total)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon country crock
1 cup sour cream

1 cup half and half
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided use)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
2 lbs. bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (divided use)

directions: 
preheat oven to 350 f. pierce potatoes and place on baking pan. bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft. remove from the oven and set aside on a wire rack until cool enough to handle. (you can also choose to peel and boil potatoes, if this is easier for you).

when the potatoes have cooled, cut each potato in half and, using a spoon, scoop the flesh out of the skins and into a large bowl. to the bowl, add 1/2 cup of country crock , the sour cream, cream cheese, half and half, minced garlic, salt, and pepper and mash until chunky-smooth. add half of the bacon, half of the grated cheese, and mix thoroughly.

coat the bottom and sides of a 13x9-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of country crock (it is so easy to spread). place potato mixture in dish, cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate casserole until ready to bake.

when ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 f, remove plastic wrap and bake casserole 35-40 minutes until hot. sprinkle remaining shredded cheese and bacon over casserole and return to oven for about 10 minutes, until bubbly around the edges and heated through and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. serve hot,  garnished with chopped green onions, right before serving.

country crock has 0g trans fat per serving, contains no partially hydrogenated oils and no cholesterol. it also has 70% less fat than butter per serving and 30% fewer calories.

visit country country via their pinterest page or their facebook page for more #QuickFixCasseroles.

i was selected for this opportunity as a member of clever girls collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

mmmmm, mondays: bacon and swiss quiche

i love special breakfasts on christmas morning...or christmas eve morning. i love having an extra moment to spend with my family in the midst of the holiday chaos. this year i threw together a new quiche and it turned out amazing. it is just as good reheated the next day and my kids devoured it both the first and second time around. need a new special meal for your family? try quiche for breakfast.

bacon and swiss quiche

one pastry single pie crust (i either buy one frozen or refrigerated. there is no   
      need to make something that is just as good purchased.)

5 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups half & half (or whole milk)

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

8 slices bacon, cooked until crunchy and crumbled into pieces

1 1/2 cups shredded swiss cheese

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour


prepare the pastry for a single-crust pie and place in a pie tin. crimp the edges as desired. line the pastry with aluminum foil and bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes. remove from oven. 

heat oven to 325 degrees. in a medium bowl, mix all remaining ingredients well with a wire whisk. pour egg mixture into prepared pastry shell. bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. let stand ten minutes before serving.