Monthly Archives: October 2010

cooking quick tips

Cooking Quick Tips For Bacon

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BaconWe love bacon, but unfortunately it’s not one of the healthiest foods and it can make a big mess in the kitchen that you have to clean up after wards. If you are a bacon lover too here are some quick tips for cooking bacon.

  • Precook the entire package or several packages at once, cook until almost done. Store the pre-cooked bacon in the freezer until needed. This way you can reheat just the amount you need with out all the grease and mess. Heat in the microwave or a fry pan.
  • Cook bacon in a counter top grill, this keeps all the grease and splatters to a minimum.
  • Cut bacon strips in half, they are easier to work with. Plus it looks like you have more pieces on your plate.  Great tip if you are watching your calorie or fat intake.
  • Drain cooked bacon on paper towel to remove excess fat. Pat with a fresh paper towel to remove more grease.
desserts, recipes

Roasted Caramel Pears With Pecans

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These roasted caramel pears with pecans are a simple and delicious fall dessert.

Ingredients:
4 tbsp butter
4 pears, halved and cored
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped (or other nuts)
1 teaspoon Watkins caramel extract
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup sour cream or yogurt

Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F with oven rack in center position..

Place the butter on a baking pan and put into the heated oven. Once butter has melted, add caramel extract and sprinkle with brown sugar. Add the pear halves with the cut side down on top of the butter/sugar (caramel) mixture and bake for about 30 minutes.

Once the pear halves are tender, turn them over and baste with the caramel sauce. Bake for a further 10 minutes until nice and golden.

Serve immediately, place the pear halves in bowls and top with caramel sauce, sour cream and garnish with the pecans.

This can be made ahead, simply reheat the pears and caramel sauce in the microwave before serving.