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

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.

CAYENNE-CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil, and position broiler rack on top of pan. Lightly coat the rack with the vegetable oil.
• Combine the brown sugar and cayenne in a shallow dish, stirring to mix well. Press 1 side of each slice of bacon firmly into the spiced sugar to coat well. Arrange the slices of bacon on top of the broiler rack in a single layer, sugared-side up. If there is any sugar remaining in the dish, sprinkle it on top of the bacon slices evenly. Bake until the bacon is crisp and the sugar is bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly, then to a plate or serving dish to cool. (Can be made several hours ahead) Serve warm or at room temperature.

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.

SPICY BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cut french bread into thin slices (
• Cut tomatoes into thin slices and set aside.
• Keeping separated finely chop shallot, green onion, celery, cilantro, parsley, basil and oregano.
• In a pan, using 2 oz olive oil sauté until soft (3-5 min): shallot, 3 tbls green onion, celery, parsley, basil,1 1/2 tbls cilantro, 1 tbls pressed garlic.
• In a bowl mix together all cheeses (may have to microwave cheese 30 sec), cooled down sautéed ingredients from pan, garlic powder white pepper and cayenne pepper, best if refrigerated a few hours before spreading.
• Put butter remaining olive oil and remaining garlic in a cup and melt down in a microwave.
• Spread sliced bread on large cookie sheet.
• Stir butter and generously brush it on one side of each piece of bread.
• Put bread in broiler until lightly toasted.
• Spread cheese mixture on cooled down bread.
• Place sliced olives (2-3) on each piece.
• Top with 2 or 3 slices of tomato.
• Mix remaining cilantro and green onion and sprinkle over each slice.
• You may have to chop some more cilantro and green onion for this.
• Remember cilantro has a very powerful taste so use sparingly.
• You can serve cold or put in oven at 350 for 5-8 minutes not allowing cheese to run.