Just Because!

Abbey & I did a Pick Ellijay Podcast interview on August 23, 2023 to talk about the upcoming Ellijay Bacon Fest! Thanks to the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce for all of your help and support for our event!

We had a blast at Bev's Diner in Ellijay, GA. It's the very FIRST Big Belly Burger Challenge! Watch to see if Dawson can finish this 8 pound burger! Will you be next to take this challenge?

We made an old time favorite - Amish Bacon Broccoli Salad! This versatile dish can be made sweet or savory or a combination of both! Easy to make. Here's how! INGREDIENTS: -1 head of broccoli -1 head of cauliflower -1 pound of bacon -1 cup of mayo -1 cup of sour cream -1/2 cup of sugar -1/2 Teaspoon of salt -1 cup of shredded cheese -Add your favorite things like sunflower seeds, red onion, craisons, walnuts, etc. INSTRUCTIONS: -I made HALF of this recipe - so cut every ingredient up top in half! -Fry your bacon, place on paper towel to drain and let cool. Chop when cool. -Chop the broccoli and cauliflower in bite sized pieces, place in a bowl -In a separate bowl, combine the mayo, sour cream, sugar and salt. Mix well -Add the dressing to the chopped veggies and coat well -Mix in bacon, cheese and any other favorite ingredients. Reserve a a little bit of bacon and cheese for last minute garnish when ready to serve. -Keep chilled until ready to serve -ENJOY!

Oh man these little tasty Everything Bagel Bacon Bites are REALLY awesome! Gluten free by using the almond flour, too! Here's how you make them: Ingredients: -4 or 5 strips of bacon -1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella -3 oz of cream cheese (divide into 2 oz and 1 oz pieces) -3/4 cup almond flour -1 Tsp baking powder -1 egg (a second for the egg wash) -Everything Bagel sprinkles Instructions: -Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. -Fry your bacon, let cool on paper towel, set aside. Crumble when cool. -Add the mozzarella and 2 oz of cream cheese in a bowl. Place in microwave for 90 seconds. -Then add the almond flour, baking powder and egg to the bowl. Mix well. -Roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper -Score the dough into squares. Anywhere from 8 - 12 squares -Put a dollop of cream cheese in the middle of each square. -Sprinkle some bacon in each square -Take each square and roll into a ball -Roll the ball into a bowl filled with the Everything Bagel sprinkles -Place on a greased cookie sheet -Brush each ball with egg wash -Put in the oven for 14 minutes or until golden brown -Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy! These would be great to dip into marinara or cheese sauce, too!

We made our annual trip to TN to their awesome BaCON Festival. Always a great time with delicious bacon dishes. Fun for the whole family with arts/crafts, bouncy houses and more! Check out our fun day!

We went back to Cave Spring, GA for their annual Bacon Fest and Car Show! This year it was even bigger and better than last year. We had the most perfect weather and got to taste some very yummy food/treats and see cool cars and trucks. What a great way to spend a day in Cave Spring! Great job by the Cave Spring DDA!

Need a tasty and easy recipe for the whole family? This is it! Here's how to make this super yummy casserole with simple ingredients... Ingredients: - 5 potatoes -1.5 pounds of chicken breast -6 slices of bacon -1.5 cups to 2 cups of your favorite shredded cheese -1/2 Tbsp of smoked paprika -1 Tbsp garlic powder -1 Tsp salt -1 Tsp pepper Instructions: -Preheat oven to 400 degrees -Wash, peel and slice potatoes (into 1 inch round slices) -Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick spray -Spread potato slices evenly in dish and drizzle olive oil on top. Coat well -Bake in oven for 40 minutes -Meanwhile cook and chop bacon - set aside -Cut chicken into small bite sized pieces. -Whisk together the some olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper -Put dry ingredients over chicken mix to coat well -When potatoes are done, remove from oven and put chicken mixture on top and mix well. -Put back into oven for about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the cheese and bacon on top. Put back into oven for 5 minutes. -Remove, serve and enjoy. Can top with sour cream, chives - your favorite toppings or eat as is!

This recipe is a family favorite! Only made better by wrapping each muffin with bacon. Tastes just like chicken parmesan and so simple to make! Here's how: INGREDIENTS: -1 pound of ground chicken -9 - 12 strips of bacon -1 egg -1/3 cup of panko or breadcrumbs -1 Tsp of olive oil -2-3 garlic cloves -1 onion -1 Tsp basil -1/2 Tsp thyme -1/2 Tsp salt -1/2 Tsp black pepper -2/3 cup grated parmesan -Smoked mozzarella (cut into cubes) -Some marinara INSTRUCTIONS: -Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin and set aside -Cut the strips of bacon to fit inside the muffin tin -Place in oven for 20-30 minutes. Remove when done to your liking. -Chop your garlic and onions and sauté in a pan -In a bowl, combine the chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, onion/garlic mixture, dried herbs, salt & pepper and 1/2 cup of parmesan. Mix well. -Cut the smoked mozzarella into cubes -Fill each muffin section half way with the meat mixture. -Place the mozzarella cube into each muffin section. -Place more meat mixture on top to complete muffin -Smear the marinara on each muffin and sprinkle with remaining parmesan. -Place in oven for 25 or 30 minutes or until cooked. You may need to blot the bacon grease out of each muffin section during the baking or right after removing from oven. Just check on them. Serve and enjoy!

What a tasty and easy side dish for any meal. You'll want to make these for your next get together! Here's how to make them; INGREDIENTS: -Some carrots -Your favorite bacon -Some maple syrup -Salt & Pepper INSTRUCTIONS: -Preheat oven to 425 degrees -Take a large pot and boil some water -Chop the tops off the carrots -Par boil the carrots for 5 minutes -Once cool, wrap each carrot with bacon. You may need more than on stip if your carrots are long. -Place carrots on a baking sheet lined with parchment or sprayed down. -Brush with maple syrup -Put in oven for 25 - 30 minutes -Once tender, take out of oven and glaze with maple syrup again and hit the carrots with a dash of salt and pepper. -Serve and enjoy!