Giving up sugar is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to do. And since it will NEVER change I’m still working to take some favorite recipes and rework them into less sugary meals so I can eat them.
SWEET & SPICY BACON adapted from GIADA
1 pound slab bacon, cut into 1-by-1/2-inch pieces **
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons FRANK’S original hot sauce
- Place the bacon in an even layer in a large skillet.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often with spatula until the bacon is light golden brown, about 20 minutes.
- Whisk together the maple syrup, black pepper and Frank’s in a small bowl.
- Pour off some of the rendered bacon fat, leaving just a small amount.
- Return the skillet to the heat and pour the maple syrup mixture over the bacon.
- Braise gently until the syrup thickens and glazes the bacon and the bacon is deep golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Serve warm.
DUTCH BABY PANCAKE
3 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons PURE vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest, from 1 lemon
OPTIONAL
2 tablespoons powdered sugar, to garnish
Berries, whipped cream, jam or maple syrup if desired
- Preheat the oven to 400°.
- Place butter in a 10-12 inch enameled cast iron skillet and place skillet in the hot oven to heat up while you mix the batter.
- In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and use an electric beater to fully incorporate the wet and dry together until smooth.
- Allow the batter to rest for 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and swirl butter over all sides.
- Pour the batter into the center of the pan and place the pan in hot oven.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and brown around the edges and set in the center.
- Remove from the oven and dust with powdered sugar. The pancake will immediately start to collapse.
- Top with bacon pieces or berries and whipped cream.
- Dust with powdered sugar and add berries if desired.
NOTES**
- Any leftover bacon is PERFECT in a homemade baked BBQ bean recipe.
- SLAB bacon can be hard to find. When I can’t find it, I use thick sliced and cut it into 2 inch pieces.