Tagged: bacon

Grilled Pork Belly – Tocinho Assado

You may have seen grilled pork belly as a new trend in upscale restaurants but cooking pork bellies has been around in Portuguese cuisine for centuries.

Pork belly is not like regular bacon that you find in your supermarket. The pork is uncured and has no salt or smoky taste.

This method of grilling the pork in it’s natural state on the outdoor grill creates a crispy texture with  juicy flavor will make your mouth water!

You can find pork bellies at butcher shops but be sure to ask for uncured bacon. Have them slice it to about 1/4 inch thick.

Our family has been cooking this at every family picnic. Once your friends and family taste this pork they will go crazy for it and except it every time you have another cook out! It is perfect on a simple Papo Seco Portuguese roll or any crusty roll. You can also serve it as a main protein in you meal but eating it in a simple sandwich is my favorite way. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 pounds of uncured Pork Belly sliced to 1/4 inch thick

1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt or more to taste

2 cloves of crushed garlic (optional if like a garlicky taste)

Instructions:

Salt each pork belly slice heavily with the coarse salt. I prefer a natural flavor in the pork so I don’t use garlic, but I added it in the ingredient list for those that love a garlic.

Let the pork marinate for at least 1 hour or longer in the refrigerator to absorb the salt.

Cook on a very hot out door grill turning often. Keep the pork away from flames as it cooks and lower the heat if needed. The pork should be a golden color and slightly crispy.

Crispy Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Topped with Barbeque Sauce

Since Barbeque season has been delayed due to this cold weather my daughter made this bacon and barbeque sauce topped meatloaf this weekend to give us that summer barbeque taste. The bacon comes out crispy and the barbeque sauce’s sticky sweet flavor is amazing!

She also  made my Portuguese Style Potato Salad as a side for a real cook out theme!

By the way, it’s March 31st and it’s snowing and sleeting outside in New England! UGH!

Ingredients:

2 and 1/2 pounds of ground beef or turkey

1 small onion (minced)

3 eggs

2 slices of wheat bread

1 cup of milk

1 cup of seasoned  dry bread crumbs

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix

2 tablespoons of ketchup

1/2 package of sliced bacon (about 10 slices)

Barbeque Sauce ingredients:

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

Instructions:

Dissolve the bread in the milk in a small bowl. Mix all of the remaining meatloaf ingredients in a medium bowl except the bacon and the barbeque sauce. Shape into a loaf and place on a broiling pan which let the meatloaf cook faster and achieve a crispy texture. You may also cook the meatloaf in a medium tray lined with foil for easy cleanup.

Cover the meatloaf with the bacon.

Prepare the sauce by mixing the ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and the sugar dissolves. Spread the sauce over the bacon.

Cook the meatloaf at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the meat reaches 165 degrees.

Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

 

Chopped BLT Apple Salad Wrap

Think Spring and Summer with this easy BLT salad in a wrap! I’ve had enough of winter this year!

I’ve decided to start cooking summer dishes early this year so I can make believe it’s hot and sunny outside!  Join me..:)

Ingredients:

2 cups of chopped salad

2 cups of chopped baby spinach

12 grape, cherry tomatoes or tomato pieces

4 slices of cooked bacon

4 ounces of chopped cheddar cheese

1/2 cup of chopped cucumber

shredded carrots (optional)

1 apple (chopped into small pieces)

2 Wraps

Dressing:

1 tablespoons of lite mayonnaise

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon of crushed pepper

salt optional since the bacon is salty

Croutons (optional)

Instructions:

Place all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the dressing ingredients in a small cup, mix well and set aside.

Spread half of dressing on each wrap. Place desired amount of salad on each wrap and fold over.

Enjoy this salad without the wrap its deliciously fresh and full of flavor!