Praline Bacon

Sugar-crusted bacon with a peppery kick contrasts the creamy saltiness of Blue cheese. The mouth-feel is unforgettably lush and the flavor is addictive.

Recipe Ingredients:

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup almond meal (or ground almonds, pecans or walnuts)
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
12 slices thick-cut or slab pepper encrusted bacon*
Blue cheese for accompaniment

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
2. Combine all ingredients but bacon in a wide, shallow dish.
3. Dip and press each slice of bacon in sugar mixture on both sides.
4. Lay bacon strips on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle additional sugar mixture over the bacon slices in the pan.
5. Roast the bacon until the fat begins to render, about 6 minutes. Rotate the pan front-to-back and continue roasting until the bacon is crisp and brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Remove, cool and break or cut bacon into bite-sized pieces.
7. Serve warm or cold with blue cheese.

Makes ? servings.

*If pepper bacon is not available, add two tablespoons course ground black pepper to sugar mixture.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.