Fiery Summer Bruschetta With Zesty Olive Spread And Spicy Candied Bacon Recipes

CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
• Spread the brown sugar on a plate. Coat the bacon on both sides of with the brown sugar, pressing to adhere. Lay the slices on the rack.
• Bake until dark brown and almost completely crisp (the bacon will continue to crisp as it cools), 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to cool. Crumble or chop before using.

SPICY CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 1/2 teaspoons gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) and spread on a plate. Coat one 12-ounce package thick-cut bacon in the sugar mixture, pressing each slice on both sides to adhere.
• Lay the bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 325˚ F, rotating the pan and flipping the bacon halfway through, until the bacon is dark brown and caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds on both sides, then let cool completely to harden.

CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment.
• Separate the bacon into strips and blot each dry. Spread the sugar on a large plate. Press both sides of each bacon strip in the sugar. Arrange the coated bacon on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with any remaining sugar.
• Bake the bacon for 15 minutes, turn the strips over and continue to bake until golden and glazed, 15 to 20 minutes more (it will still be pliable). Remove to a rack and let cool; the bacon will harden but it won't be super crispy.

OLIVE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree. If the mixture is too thin, add 2 ounces or more of ricotta cheese to thicken it. Season with salt and pepper.