There aren’t many times I find myself frying a pound of bacon at one time, but last Sunday found me catering to the needs of two football crazy guys. Since one was Manservant and the other was China Boy, I was happy to accommodate. After the exciting Bronco’s win I was hoping the thought of staying another two weeks to watch the Super Bowl, might be enticement enough to keep Alex Odie San China Boy in this part of the hemisphere, but alas he left yesterday. We were lucky enough to have him for a month and now he heads back to a new job and even new roommates. If you are ever in Shanghai and like to drink wine, he has moved into the realm of sales, and I think he will be quite good at it.
But now that the entire house smells like bacon, I guess I better tell you about this dip that both deemed Superbowl worthy. Whole Foods has us thinking healthy this month, but they also know that Superbowl is one of those days that health has a tendency to go out the window. Maybe it’s the supercharged air that causes us to eat bite after bite of dips and dogs and mile long sammies, well, at least at our house. In any case if you don’t feel like cooking, Whole Foods is sure to have a variety of freshly made salsas and guacamole, dips and wings, all available to serve with their fabulous house made tortilla chips. I love those!
I served this with my home made honey and beer chips. Stay tuned for that recipe. You could also serve this with some of the great new lentil, quinoa or bean based chips at Whole Foods. I love the new taro chips and don’t even get me started on the sweet potato version. Chips of any kind are my downfall and I’m so excited that there are some healthier versions to choose from.
This bacon horseradish dip sure is super. Use the nitrite free bacon that Whole Foods offers and you have a dip that will be a winner, even if your team isn’t. It is important to at least keep those tummies happy! This dip begins with bacon jam. I made the entire recipe of the jam but only used half of it in the dip. That way I have the other half to slather on toast, use instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches, or place on a cheese tray to make my guests swoon. Feel free to use light ricotta or yogurt to replace the cream fraiche and save a few calories. And if you want to save even more calories, this would also make a great stuffing for a celery stick.
However you choose to make this, just be sure to eat it. It is super! Go Broncos!
Bacon Jam, Horseradish and Ricotta Cheese Dip
Serves about 8
Time to Make: About 45 minutes
Adapted from: Brian Voltaggio
Ingredients:
1 lb bacon
1 medium onion, minced
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves of garlic
1 1/2 T sherry vinegar
3 1/2 T maple syrup
7 oz ricotta cheese
3 T prepared white horseradish (from the refrigerator section)
3 T creme fraiche or Greek yogurt
5 T fresh chives, minced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 t sea salt
Directions:
Cook the bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until fat is rendered and bacon is a beautiful golden brown. You will probably have to do this in two pans. Well. You will. Transfer bacon to paper towels and drain fat. Now cut or tear it into small pieces. (I always save the bacon fat in a container that I store in the fridge. There are so many ways to use it.) Reserve about 1 T of fat in the pan. Add shallot and onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add vinegar and maple syrup and bring to a simmer. Add reserved bacon and simmer on low until mixture forms a thick glaze. This won’t take long. Drain off any excess fat.Now you have a choice. You can leave it like as is or pulse it in a food processor to make a smoother jam. (You can make the bacon jam ahead of time as it will keep in the fridge for up to one month. Don’t worry though as it won’t last that long!)
Now put the ricotta and horseradish in a food processor and process for about two minutes, or until completely smooth. Add half of the bacon jam, pulse a few times and transfer to a bowl. Whisk in the creme fraiche, chive and scallions. Season with more salt or horseradish if needed. Serve at room temperature with your favorite chips.
FireRunner2379
February 15, 2016 at 6:31 pmI follow your Pinterest with the name Jeffrey Lammers.
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FireRunner2379
February 15, 2016 at 6:28 pmI'm a fan of hummus with pita bread and also like making salsa using vegetables from my garden, its so fresh tasting. As I've aged most of my foods, including dips, taste better with a touch of heat. Not the eye watering, nose dripping type but just a tingle that you get from a jalapeno.
jlammers002 at woh dot rr dot com
mjskit
February 15, 2016 at 3:41 amthese are all great ideas for any party! That dip sounds quite interesting and yummy.
Jasanna Czellar
February 7, 2016 at 3:41 amI followed on instagram as iamalighthouse
Jasanna Czellar
February 7, 2016 at 3:40 amYum! I really love making a fruit dip with yogurt, vanilla and honey!
valerie
February 1, 2016 at 9:53 pmthis dip is genius! i love seeing recipes like this…. i'm not very creative in the kitchen and i never would've been able to come up with something like this. my favorite dips to make are sweet/dessert type usually. brownie batter dip, cookie dough dip, etc.
Bam's Kitchen
February 1, 2016 at 1:20 pmOnly 1 pound of bacon???? Delicious dip and great with the salty sweet and creamy, it has it all going on. I know it must be difficult to have your boy all the way over here but good for him. These next few weeks are going to be very busy for him during the Chinese New Year Celebration.
Susan Christy
January 31, 2016 at 6:54 pmDr Pepper Dip is my favorite – my grandmother used to make it in the 60's and it's so good!
HS
January 29, 2016 at 7:08 pmI follow on Pinterest.
HS
January 29, 2016 at 7:07 pmI subscribe to This is How I Cook
HS
January 29, 2016 at 7:07 pmWe love Sweet Vidalia Onion Dip for game day.
Cathleen
January 29, 2016 at 3:20 amWhat a delicious sounding dip!!
Liz Berg
January 29, 2016 at 1:17 amThis sounds fantastic! Can't wait to see how you make your chips, too. Sorry all the bacon didn't convince Alex to stick around—though I bet he was tempted!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
January 28, 2016 at 11:07 pmI'm so glad you got to spend a whole month with your son! I'm sure it was hard to let him go again. My husband would go nuts over this dip with the bacon in it! Maybe if he's really, really nice 🙂 I can't wait to see the chip recipe.
Kristen
January 28, 2016 at 7:35 amI follow on Twitter @rubylorikeet
Kristen
January 28, 2016 at 7:35 amI'm a big fan of French Onion dip.
Angie Schneider
January 28, 2016 at 5:50 amNow that's a dip! I love the flavour!
mmstarla
January 27, 2016 at 10:16 pmI follow you on twitter! Username @mmstarla
mmstarla
January 27, 2016 at 10:15 pmI am subscribed via email starla.batesATyahooDOTcom
mmstarla
January 27, 2016 at 10:15 pmWhat a fun, delicious dip. I need to try that ASAP. My favorite dip is a lightened up spinach and artichoke dip with greek yogurt. It's great on anything you like to dip-even spoons! 🙂
starla.batesATyahooDOTcom
Two Healthy Kitchens
January 28, 2016 at 3:41 amSo many things to love here! Where do I even begin?!? Ok … the Broncos! Let's start there. If the Browns aren't playing (and … ummmm … the Super Bowl … yeah, the Browns AREN'T playing!) … then I'm all in for the Broncos! Moving on: OMG bacon jam! Plus, Brian Voltaggio … LOVE him! And those homemade chips, too?!?!? Too bad I'm hosting a Super Bowl party at my house, because I'd love to be noshing with you! Love this recipe! ~Shelley
Holly @ abakershouse.com
January 28, 2016 at 2:55 amThis dip could be the key to a Broncos win! I love how it is a change from chips and salsa– great idea! So glad you had a good visit with your son. Hope to see you soon!
Georgette C
January 28, 2016 at 2:50 amI follow on Facebook: Georgette Coan
Georgette C
January 28, 2016 at 2:50 amI subscribe by email.
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Georgette C
January 28, 2016 at 2:46 amMy usual go-to is spinach artichoke or babaganoush… I like this dip because it looks tasty and has a variety of ingredients I wouldn't normally think of for dip!
Sharon D
January 28, 2016 at 1:26 amYou had me at beer chips. I can't wait to see that recipe!
This dip looks super yum, Abbe.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
January 28, 2016 at 12:54 amWhoa, talk about all the FLAVORS colliding!
Seyma Bennett Shabbir
January 28, 2016 at 12:03 amTwitter follow
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Seyma Bennett Shabbir
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Seyma Bennett Shabbir
January 28, 2016 at 12:03 amI love eggplant dip, but we call it patlican ezmesi (pureed eggplant)
seyma_bennett At hotmail.com
Tricia Buice
January 27, 2016 at 11:30 pmI've always been a Denver fan and was very pleased with the game! Can't wait for the SB! I tried making a dip that turned out awful – how can a person mess up dip? I don't know but I did – it was an oily mess. This looks much better and sounds amazing! Glad you had a nice long visit with your son. I bet he enjoyed this dip!
Karen Harris
January 27, 2016 at 11:08 pmAll your dishes look great, but I think you know how I feel about those potato chips. One of my favorite all time nibbles. Hubs is going to love them too.
Cheri Savory Spoon
January 27, 2016 at 10:52 pmHi Abbe, love this dip, can't wait for your honey and beer chip recipe. my favorite dip is any type of hummus. Already receive your emails, started following your tweeter. Thanks!
Carol at Wild Goose Mama
January 27, 2016 at 10:43 pmWhat a UNIQUE dip. I don't normally make dips. I do love to eat them. However my social life has changed so that I have to bring appetizers more
often. This is a winner I say as an enthusiastic partaker of dips.
traveler
January 27, 2016 at 10:12 pmA dip which I enjoy and love is Babaganoush. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
traveler
January 27, 2016 at 10:11 pmI am a subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Kitchen Riffs
January 27, 2016 at 10:09 pmI really need to make more bacon jam! It's such seriously good stuff, isn't it? This dip sounds like a winner. Love the horseradish in it. And the bacon. Of course. 🙂 Thanks!
Lisa Brown
January 27, 2016 at 9:36 pmfollowing pinterest as https://www.pinterest.com/lisalu24/
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Lisa Brown
January 27, 2016 at 9:36 pmsubscribed via email: jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Lisa Brown
January 27, 2016 at 9:35 pmmy favorite cookie is chocolate chip.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks
January 27, 2016 at 9:01 pmWhat a unique dip, it's a nice change from all the usual dip recipes! Perfect for the Super Bowl!