Just Because!

What a simple, versatile and delicious treat! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Jodi Witt Bailey for giving me the idea. Here's how to make it: INGREDIENTS: -Won ton wrappers -Bacon - enough for half a cup chopped -One green onion -8 oz of softened cream cheese FOR SAUCE: -Soy sauce -Sesame oil INSTRUCTIONS: -Soften cream cheese to room temperature -Place cream cheese in a bowl -Slice one green onion -Fry bacon, remove from oil, let cool and crumble/chop -Add all of the ingredients into the bowl to combine with cream cheese -Take out the won ton wrappers -Rub water on all four sides -Place a dollop of the mixture in the middle of the wrapper -Pinch the four opposite sides together. -Place in a pan with heated oil -Fry until golden brown -Remove from pan, let cool and enjoy!

These are simple and delicious! You feel like you are eating a fall apple pie! Here's how to make this: INGREDIENTS: -One or two of your favorite apples -6 to 8 stips of bacon -some brown sugar -some cinammon INSTRUCTIONS: -Preheat oven to 350 degrees -Wash and slice apples -Sprinkle wedges with cinnamon -Wrap each slice with a strip or half a strip of bacon -Place on baking sheet -Sprinkle brown sugar on them -Place in oven for 25-30 minutes -Put on broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up bacon -Remove from oven, let cook, plate up and enjoy!

Bacon Quesadillas are versatile and easy to make! Fun and tasty for the whole family! Here's how to make them; INGREDIENTS: -4 strips of bacon (for 2 quesadillas) -Half an onion sliced -Half a red pepper sliced -Shredded cheese -Sour cream -Refried beans -Cilantro DIRECTIONS: -Fry the bacon, place on paper towel when done. Cut in half -Sautee your onions and peppers until tender -Spray your quesadilla maker with some cooking spray -Lay one tortilla on maker -Spread your toppings (refried beans, guacamole - whatever you like) -Add the onions and peppers -Sprinkle desired amount of cheese -Lay 2nd tortilla on top and close lid -Grill until desired doneness. -Remove from maker and slice into wedges -Serve with sour cream, salsa - whatever you like. -Garnish with cilantro and any other desired toppings -ENJOY!!

Super easy and yummy! Plus you can alter the ingredients for other yummy combos! Here's how to make these cupcakes (or muffins - whatever you want to call them). Ingredients for the Cupcake -1 1/2 cups of flour -2 Tsp baking powder -1/2 Tsp baking soda -1 pinch of salt -1/2 cup softened unsalted butter -2/3 cup brown sugar -2 eggs -1/3 cup plain yogurt -1/3 cup maple syrup For the Frosting -1 stick of softened butter -2 cups of powdered sugar -7 Tbs maple syrup For the sprinkles -5 or 6 stips of bacon Directions: -Preheat oven to 350 degrees -Fry the bacon, drain on paper towel, let cool then crumble -In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt -Whisk together well. Set bowl aside -Next, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar in another bowl -Then beat in one egg -Then put in half of the dry ingredients from the other bowl. Mix well. -Then add second egg and remaining dry ingredient.Mix well. -Then add the yogurt and maple syrup. Mix well. -Put the mixture in a greased muffin/cupcake tin. Only fill half way. -Bake for 20 minutes. -Then make the frosting. -Sift the powdered sugar in a bowl -Then add the softened butter, mix. Then add maple syrup -Mix well. This can also be done in a food processor! -When cupcakes are done, do the toothpick test. Make sure it comes out clean. -Transfer to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely before frosting them. -Once cool, frost them. Add bacon bits and serve! Enjoy!

Perfect way to dress up those old brussel sprouts! Great for a holiday side dish or any day of the week. Easy to make, here's how; INGREDIENTS: -2 pounds of brussel sprouts -4 or 5 strips of bacon -1/3 cup of Craisins -1/3 cup of chopped pecans -1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese/asiago/feta For Dressing -1 Tbsp of olive oil (I used avocado) -2 Tbsp of balsamic dressing -1 Tbsp of brown or dijon mustard -1 Tbs of honey -1/2 Tsp of garlic salt -Fresh cracked black pepper INSTRUCTIONS: -Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees -Cut brussel srpouts in half and place on a non stick sheet -Spray with oil and shake on the salt and pepper -Roast in oven for 15 - 20 minutes (until edges are browning) -Cook bacon, drain on paper towel and let cool. Then crumble -When sprouts are done, remove from oven and let cool completely -In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic, honey, mustard, salt and some pepper. -Place the sprouts, bacon, Craisins and pecans in your serving bowl -Pour the dressing over and toss -Garnish with the blue cheese crumbles and serve! Enjoy!

Bacon and ice cream go so well together - it's awesome! You can also add other items like chocolate chips or drizzle in carmel, etc. Easy dump n' go. Here's how you make it with your ice cream maker: INGREDIENTS -6 strips of bacon -3/4 cup sugar -1 cup of whole milk -2 Tsp vanilla -2 cups heavy cream -some maple syrup -some brown sugar INSTRUCTIONS: -Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees -The place bacon on a baking sheet -Brush with maple syrup and sprinkle the brown sugar on top -Place in oven for 10 - 12 minutes -Take a small bowl and add sugar, milk and whisk until sugar dissolves -Add the heavy cream and vanilla - keep whisking -Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and start the machine -Take bacon out and flip strips over and repeat maple syrup and brown sugar process -Put back in oven for another 10 - 15 minuters or until done. -Remove from oven, let cool. Then chop up the bacon into bits -After the ice cream maker has been churning for 25 minutes or so, add the bacon bits slowly to the mixture. Let churn an additional 5 minutes. -Remove ice cream and serve or place in freezer for a few hours for a harder consistency. ENJOY!

Bacon Empanadas are tasty and very versatile as you can stuff them with your favorite things! Here's how we made ours; INGREDIENTS: -3 strips of bacon -A can of green chilis -1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese (you pick flavor we used cheddar & monterrey) -2 cups of frozen corn -1/2 cup of sliced green onions -1 pie crust dough -1 egg -1 Tbsp water -Smoked paprika for garnish INSTRUCTIONS: -Preheat oven to 400 degress -Fry the bacon, reserve 2 Tbsp of drippings -Let bacon cool, then chop -Add the corn to the drippings in the pan on med-high heat. Char until edges are brown (about 7-8 minutes) -Then add the chopped bacon, chiles, cheese and green onions. Mix well -Line a baking sheet with parchment paper -On a floured board, roll out your pie dough -Using a biscuit cutter (or a glass) - make your shells -Place the shells on the parchment paper -Lay some mixture on each shell. Fold them in half, crimp the edges with a fork. -Brush the egg wash over each empanada. -Sprinkle the smoked paprika on each empanada -Bake in oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. -Let cool, platter up , serve and enjoy!

Wow! My 3 favorite flavors in one cookie! Bacon, chocolate and potato chips! Here's how to make them; INGREDIENTS -1 cup of flour -1/2 Tsp of baking soda -1/4 Tsp coarse salt -1 stick unsalted butter (room temp) -1/3 cup packed brown sugar -1/3 cup granulated sugar -1/2 Tsp of vanilla -8 to 10 slices of bacon (slice 2 or 3 strips, chop the other strips for batter) -3/4 cup of chocolate (either chips or a block chopped) -2 cups of crushed potato chips -1 egg INSTRUCTIONS: -Preheat oven to 375 degrees -In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt -Beat together butter and sugars with a mixer until fluffy -Add vanilla and egg - beat on medium until combined -Add the flour mixture to combine. -Stir in bacon, chocolate and potato chips -Place parchment paper on your cookie sheet -Using a scoop, roll the doub into 20 balls (or so). -Place one of the sliced pieces of bacon on top of the cookie dough -Bake until golden brown. Between 13 - 15 minutes -Remove from oven, cool and enjoy!

We broke out the ole Breadman Bread machine and made fresh cheddar cheese and bacon bread! Easy and delicious! Here's how to make it: INGREDIENTS (for one pound loaf) -2/3 cup of milk -1 tbs butter -2 tsp sugar -1/2 tsp salt -2 cups bread flour -1 tsp yeast -1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese --1/2 cup crumbled bacon