Spicy Candied Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies (no, not a misnomer you can have spicy and sweet)

Spicy Candied Bacon (wrapped lil smokies follow)

Spicy Candy mixture:
Mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar with the following (to taste):
Chili powder (I use about 1 tbsp. but I like spicy)
Garlic Powder (use less than 1/2 of what you use for chili powder)
smidge onion powder
dash paprika  ( I like smoked paprika but have used regular)

mix well and place in bag. Drop bacon in bag and shake to coat. Place bacon flat on parchment or non-stick foil covered cookie sheet with lip. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or 450 for 20 minutes. This is also to desired crispness, less crispy less time. Remember bacon will crisp a bit while cooling. Remove from oven and place on rack to cool slightly.

Use bacon to top burgers, meatloaf, or any sandwich. Also good to just eat!

For wrapped Lil Smokies:
Prepare spicy candy mixture, set aside. Cut bacon into 3-4 small sections. Wrap bacon around lil smokies, secure with toothpick. Place spicy mixture in bag and add bacon wrapped lil smokies and shake to coat. Remove lil smokies and place on parchment or foil covers baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and place on serving dish.

This makes a nice alternative to normal BBQ lil smokies for an appetizer.

*NOT A LOW CALORIE?LOW FAT DISH BUT DELICIOUS

Smothered Burgers w/cheesy corn

Although I am no longer in Hawaii, I am still experimenting with recipes. Tonight I wanted a burger but as I am reducing my bread (gluten) intake I tried to come up with a twist on the plain burger. This is the result. It is very good with the frozen beef patties but I prefer real beef patties or turkey patties.

Smothered Burger

Make your burger patty as normal or use a frozen one
heat pan to medium heat (do not add cold meet to cold pan and begin (rule 1 of cooking)
once pan is heated add Worcestershire to taste to warm pan then add chopped onion (about 1/4 cup for 2 patties) and chopped mushrooms (canned will work but I prefer fresh) and sauté until lightly brown.
Add burgers and lower heat. Cook until your desired temperature (I prefer medium rare) flipping just once.

When burgers are done remove from heat and top with some of the onion/mushroom mixture and top with a slice of cheese of your choice; cover until cheese melted.

Place smothered burger on plate and top with onion/mushroom mixture and cheesy corn (recipe below)

Cheesy corn

Place corn in dish (canned -drained or frozen) and top with minced onion (dried will work or about 1/8th cup fresh minced) add 1 tbsp butter or butter alternative and microwave until heated through. When completely heated top with cheese of your choice (1 slice should do) and let sit in microwave for 1 minute until melted. Stir and serve with burger.

Enjoy!

Home made Pizza

As I was tired of ordering pizza that just didn't have the toppings or the degree of doneness Ken likes, I decided to experiment and came up with the below. It turned out so good I am sharing. This is very easy and takes very little actual time (the oven does most the work). This pizza makes a 9 X 12 rectangle pizza (I have mini rectangle baking/cookie pans from when we had the mini oven) but if you like thinner crust this would also fit a normal size lipped cookie sheet or round medium pizza pan. If you want to thicker crust use smaller pan or double recipe.

To make the crust:

1 tablespoon fast acting yeast (one package if you buy the little 3 pack)
3/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 cup oil

Mix yeast, sugar, and hot water until yeast is dissolved. Add flour a cup at a time and mix well (dough will be crumbly at this point). Add oil and mix well with hands (you can use a spoon but your hands work best). the dough might be a little sticky so  just add a touch more flour and knead dough for about 10 minutes and form a ball. Place in a greased (I sprayed with cooking spray) bowl (or place on a pan) and place in warm area for 1 hour to rise. (you can use the oven as long as it's not on)

Once dough is double in size, punch down and knead with a little flour to make the dough workable.

Place on greased pizza plan and spread to the edges (you can use a rolling pin but I just use my hands). If using a pizza pan and not a lipped baking pan, create a little lip at the edges. TIP: sprinkle a little corn meal on the pan after greasing it and the crust will cook evenly, not stick, and add a little crunch.

Sauce:
4 ounces tomato sauce
garlic to taste
italian seasoning spice (to taste)

Mix well and spread on to crust- use as much or as little as you like. I prefer light sauce some prefer more. Then spread a little mozzarella cheese over sauce.

Add any toppings you like, but make sure the meat is cooked (i.e. do not use raw hamburger) and as much as you like. This crust will hold a lot of toppings.

After toppings, cover with mozzarella cheese or the shredded  cheese blend of your choice.

Place in preheated 425 degree over for 15-20 minutes depending on how well done you like your cheese :-)

When cheese is browned to your taste remove pizza from oven and place on cutting board or counter to 'rest' for 2-5 minutes before cutting. This lets everything sit and meld so when cutting you don't get the toppings and cheese spilling off the pizza.

Enjoy.