Okay...I'm writing this on SUNDAY, January 16th, but can't post until FRIDAY, January 21st, but I have found THE ultimate recipe for the BACON! BACON! TASTE-OFF at school (I can't post until Friday because entries are ANONYMOUS, and some of the staff at my school actually READS this blog!).
A little background...one of our staff members was "talking smack" a few years back that she had THE ultimate tater tot casserole (or "hot dish", as they call it up here in the FRIGID north!) recipe. I suggested that she put her casserole (or "hot dish") where her mouth was, and I challenged her to a "bake off"...which sounded too prissy, so we came up with the TATER TOT TASTE-OFF (such fun alliteration!). Several other staff members THOUGHT they had contenders, so we ended up with about TWELVE versions for our staff to try during lunch.
We had such a good time (even though I DIDN'T win), that we continued the contest the next year with a SOUP-ER TASTE-OFF (not QUITE as alliterative, but still a good title...), then last year, we had the CHOCOLATE TASTE-OFF. Now...in year number FOUR. we've moved on to one of my FAVORITE foods...BACON!!!
For some reason, I just can't bring myself to do something "normal" like Bacon/Corn Muffins, or Potato and Bacon Stew for these challenges...(how BORING!). I think that's what KNOCKS me out of ever winning the competition. To illustrate this point...last year's entry in the chocolate contest, was "Fiery Brownies", which contained raspberries and chipotle chiles...NOT a big hit (although I thought they were QUITE tasty...and I did get a FEW votes...)!
Anyway...after LOTS of research, I settled on the following (kudos and thanks to joythebaker.com. My "tweaks" are highlighted in
BOLD):
Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chunk, and Bacon Cookies
adapted from The Gourmet Cookbook
Makes 20 cookies about the size of your palm
1 cup all-natural chunky or smooth peanut butter
(I used 1/2 cup of each)
1/2 cup brown sugar and
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
about 6 slices of bacon, cooked, cooled and diced
1/2 cup Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate chunks
In a skillet over medium high heat, fry bacon until cooked through, and let cool on paper towels. Dice and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a mixer, combine peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes.
Add egg and baking soda, and mix for another 2 minutes. Fold in cooked bacon,
and chocolate chunks.
Roll into large walnut sized balls. Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar, and create a criss-cross pattern with a fork. Bake for 11 minutes, until lightly browned.
Cool on a baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to… your mouth.
As I said earlier...I'm writing this on on SUNDAY, and the contest isn't until FRIDAY. I've made the cookies, and am freezing them until the TASTE-OFF (I had to...the musical in which I'm currently acting opens in two weeks, and I CERTAINLY won't have time to bake THIS week!).
Oh...and here's the "prize"...the winner's picture goes in this AWESOME frame (yep...also created by me) to hang in the staff lounge for all eternity...or until it falls off the wall...whichever comes first...
I'll let you know if I win or not, after this entry is posted. Oh yeah...here's the really STUPID part. I send out an e-mail on the day of the contest, asking for people's votes for BEST entry in the contest. I tabulate the votes, and relay the winner to the staff...all without verification or authentication from anyone else...and I STILL HAVEN'T WON...how lame am I??!!
Here's hoping YOU had the opportunity to enjoy some bacon recently (or some peanut butter...or some chocolate...!).
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POST SCRIPT: I WON!!!!!
