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Bacon Biscotti

September 7, 2010


Quickies Cocktail Challenge
Update : I am pleased to announce that we've now received  3  very interesting entries! Thank you very much, and please, keep them coming.  Send in as many entries as you like, just remember to get them in by midnight of  September 27 2010 (ET)  - we're looking forward to shouting out the winner and showcasing a fantastic line up of entries on September 28 2010 (ET)  !! What's your motivation? A gorgeous cookbook! (take a detailed peek here) And now for today's post....

Some people can't contemplate life without chocolate, some can't sit on a chair without a customary once over with a sanitising wipe, I cannot face a future without an assured supply of  brined and smoked pork belly. It's not the most refined of addictions, but addictions, seldom are. When it comes to bacon, you either get it or you don't.  Explanations are unnecessary or just plain wasted.

Every time I even think about going on a diet, I start to hyperventilate. It could be oxygen deprivation at work but my immediate subsequent  thought after "my throat is constricting" is "I need bacon, lots of bacon". It doesn't just gratify, it transports...... without the bad trip afterwards  ;) Down that same road go my vegetarian aspirations each and every time.

Months of food blogging related, wanton eating have packed kilos (the number doubles horrifically in pounds *eeek*) on my diminutive frame, that were never there before! What evil sorcery is this, that transforms such delectable delights into such disfiguring  appendages?!?!

not too dark, not too crisp...more baking will follow...a nice shade of george hamilton circa 1980 should do the trick


This insane eating must end, or pause, at the least, but have my bacon I will, before I submit myself to the rigours of calorie deprivation. I almost always have this porcine treat in my fridge - it remains the one thing that stands between me and the vegetarian camp or a pair of low slung skinny jeans, for that matter.

This morning I had 4 rashers left in the pack and into my biscotti base they went. Soon I will make reparation for my calorific indiscretions. Until then, these savoury, bacon-y, and toothsome bites will give me much solace.... *oink* ;)

crumbs aplenty but not a cracked casualty among the beauteous, bacony batons - slice the log whilst still slightly warm



Prep 15 minutes  Cook 35 mins Makes about 20



4 rashers back (lean-er) bacon
150 g (1 1/2 cups) plain or all purpose flour
2/3 tsp baking powder
2/3 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/3 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 large egg
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
3 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp bacon drippings

 

Heat a pan and add a tablespoon of oil. When moderately hot, fry the bacon on both sides, turning over at regular intervals, until bacon is evenly golden and crisp. Remove from pan and drain on crushed kitchen paper until cold. Reserve drippings in pan.

Preheat oven at 190 C (370 F) and lightly grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic salt, sugar and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Chop or crumble the cold bacon into small bits like you would for a baked potato topping and stir bacon lightly through the flour mixture.

In a another small bowl, thoroughly whisk together the egg, mustard. water and drippings. Make a well in the middle of the flour and bacon mixture and pour in the egg mixture. Draw the flour into the liquid and knead gently until a dough forms. Dont add more flour, even if it seems sticky. You will then have hard and heavy textured biscotti. If you need to, flour your hands instead so the dough sticks less.

Shape dough into a flattened log about 20 cm (8 in) by 8 cm (3 in) and place on baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove log from oven and cool on a rack for 5 - 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 150 C (290 F).

Slice log across into fingers at 1 cm (about 1/2 in) intervals, with a sharp serrated knife, in a gentle sawing motion.

Arrange biscotti on same baking tray and bake for 20 minutes more, turning biscotti over midway through baking time. Each side should get 10 minutes baking. Remove from oven and cool on a rack until completely cold before storing in an airtight container.

 

 

Brie and Mushroom Galette

September 2, 2010


Quickies Cocktail Challenge
 Update : I am pleased to announce that we've now received  3  very interesting entries! Thank you very much and please, keep them coming. Send as many entries as you like, just remember to get them in by midnight of  September 27 2010 (ET)  - we're looking forward to shouting out the winner and showcasing a fantastic line up of entries on September 28 2010 (ET)  !! What's your motivation? A gorgeous cookbook! (
take a detailed peek here) And now on to the day's post...


Continue reading...
 

Quickies: Morning Noon & Night Cocktail Challenge

August 24, 2010


I'm happy to announce the second joint Quickies : Morning, Noon and Night Cooking Challenge with Lazaro Cooks! Our first challenge was such a success, we had repeated requests for another Quickie challenge. Lazaro and I always aim to please, so here we are again! This time though, there will be no cooking, just mixing!

The prize will be a copy of my cookbook Quickies : Morning, Noon and Night. This is my first cookbook and I've written it with the aim of providing inspiration to anyone who's...


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Not Your Mama's Rava Pongal - Spiced Semolina with Vegetables

August 18, 2010


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food photography 101 tip no 1 - ...


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Chicken Curry with Mustard Greens and Evil Landlords

August 13, 2010


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I love a good urban legend; at best it unnerves and makes you think twice about flashing your headlights or taking the last train home, all by yourself, late at night. If nothing ...


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When you're as long in the tooth as I am, a simple extraction is seldom the answer to everything, so my troubles won't end until my root canal job is finally done with. I don't like dentists and probably never will. The dental surgeon...


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Leftover Curry Noodles the Fusion Police Don't Need to Know About

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CONTENT ALERT! This will be a very short recipe.

On Sunday a very generous and shy soul (who reads my blog and will freak if she sees her name) left me in possession of a huge pot of chicken curry, the kind golden hued from turmeric and perfumed as a herb garden from the liberal use of lemongrass and makrut lime leaves. My very favourite kind of curry, and she knows it.

So large a pot was it, that it provided two meals for my family, plus enough to make a speedy, delicious and practical...


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July 22, 2010

I've been trying hard not to start each post with an apology but I have been goofing off lately (sincerest apologies to my bloggie buddies who may be feeling a bit neglected) as I've been er...tied up with projects and stalking serial killers.

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Chocolate Pistachio Fudgesicles

July 14, 2010


First let me thank all who have emailed me about my week long absence, you know who you are and you have my gratitude for your touching concern - I guess I should've made some sort of announcement instead of quietly slinking away, hoping to go unnoticed. I've been immersed in a personal project which I hope to wrap up soon, so I can return to my regular posting schedule of Mondays and Thursdays (Singapore time). Until then, I will post at least once a week, probably on Wednesdays (yes, Singap...


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Chocolate Pistachio Cups

July 7, 2010


Becoming a food blogger and rubbing virtual elbows with so many like minded souls, has opened up my food universe and introduced me to things I might otherwise have never known, existed! Take instant pudding for example. This wonder of food science (some may  say culinary abomination, but, potayto potahto..... meat, poison) requires no cooking and sets instantly on contact with water! I might actually be spooked, if I were not so curious and amazed.



I'd read about it on Rick's blog, Bitter...


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