Year of Bacon: March 2015

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Everything's better with bacon. From drinks to dinner to desserts, bacon makes a great addition to almost any recipe.

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Homemade Bacon

Photo: Thomas J. Story

Making the bacon is a three-step process: Cure, smoke, and roast. For serious bacon lovers, this project recipe is well worth the time and effort.

Homemade Bacon Recipe

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The Ultimate Fried Egg Sandwich with BBQ Bacon

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

If the Breakfast Sandwich Hall of Fame existed, this one would be in it. Thick slices of BBQ Bacon take it over the top.

The Ultimate Fried Egg Sandwich with BBQ Bacon Recipe

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Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata

Photo: Oxmoor House

Breakfast casseroles are ideal for overnight guests. Assemble it the night before, and bake in the morning.

Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata Recipe

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Bacon-Parmesan Tassies

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Use a miniature muffin pan to bake these little bites of heaven. Bacon and Parmesan cheese make these party snacks simple irresistible.

Bacon-Parmesan Tassies Recipe

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Endive "Chips" with Blue Cheese Dip and Bacon Dust

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Randy Mon

Endive leaves, being naturally scooped and crunchy, make a refreshing alternative to potato chips.

Endive "Chips" with Blue Cheese Dip and Bacon Dust Recipe

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Southwest Cornmeal Bacon

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

The crunchy cornmeal and brown sugar coating take regular bacon strips to new, salty-sweet heights.

Southwest Cornmeal Bacon Recipe

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Pecan-Rosemary Bacon

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Rosemary and bacon may seem like an odd combination, but toss in pecans and brown sugar and you've got a buzz-worthy breakfast dish.

Pecan-Rosemary Bacon Recipe

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BBQ Bacon

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Brown sugar and spices act like a BBQ "dry rub" for thick slices of bacon. Baked in the oven until crisp, this savory bacon will make any morning feel special.

BBQ Bacon Recipe

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Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Swiss Chard

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Choose this dish as a healthy side to complete your meal. Swiss chard is softened by a sprinkling of warmed bacon vinaigrette.

Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Swiss Chard Recipe

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Pasta with Bacon, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Zest

Photo: Brie Passano; Styling: Claire Spollen

Dicing bacon before tossing it into a pan allows for quicker cooking and even browning. Remove crisped bits with a slotted spoon to keep all of the tasty drippings in the pan.

Pasta with Bacon, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Zest Recipe

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Bacon, Egg and Cheese Casserole

Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

This easy breakfast dish is great for using up little leftover bits in the fridge. Replace the mushrooms and bell peppers with any veggies you have on hand.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Casserole Recipe

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Waffled Bacon & Cheddar Grits

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Grits in the waffle iron: Madness or Genius? We say anything with bacon is worth trying.

Waffled Bacon & Cheddar Grits Recipe

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Grilled Tofu, Bacon, and Avocado Sandwiches

Photo: Annabelle Breakey

Change up your sandwich routine by marinating and grilling a slab of tofu and sliding it into a ciabatta roll along with vegetables and bacon. Sriracha and a drizzle of the ginger-soy marinade add even more complex flavor.

Grilled Tofu, Bacon, and Avocado Sandwiches Recipe

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Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyère

Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyere

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Linda Hirst

Serve this addictive onion dip with a sliced baguette or apples, or thick-cut potato chips.

Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyère Recipe

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Rosemary Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Salad

Annabelle Breakey

A new twist on a Cobb salad, this recipe features blue cheese dressing made with Greek yogurt, avocado, and of course, crispy bacon bits.

Rosemary Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Salad Recipe

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Baby Potatoes with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

A warm bacon vinaigrette lightly dresses tender baby potatoes and spinach for a tasty--and fast--side dish.

Baby Potatoes with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Recipe

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Shrimp 'n' Grits Pie

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Imagine the perfect Southern brunch dish, complete with baked grits, shrimp cooked in bacon drippings, feta cheese, and plenty of cooked bacon on top. This is it.

Shrimp 'n' Grits Pie Recipe

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Mini Bacon and Egg Tarts

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

You can make a lot with muffin cups, including these cute little egg tarts. Green onions add color and flavor, but they're optional. Omit them, if you prefer.

Mini Bacon and Egg Tarts Recipe

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Grilled Pimiento, Cheddar, and Bacon on Sourdough

Photo: David Prince; Styling: Linda Hirst

All grilled cheese loves a companion! Dip these sandwiches in a simple tomato soup, so the bold flavors still shine through.

Grilled Pimiento, Cheddar, and Bacon on Sourdough Recipe

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Cucumber and Noodle Salad

This recipe calls for Chinese sausage, but crispy bacon makes a great substitution. It pairs well with the sweet cucumbers and peanut dressing.

Cucumber and Noodle Salad Recipe

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Cassoulet with Bacon, Andouille, and Country Ribs

Squire Fox

Put a Southern spin on the homey French country dish cassoulet by replacing the usual duck or goose confit with three varieties of pork.

Cassoulet with Bacon, Andouille, and Country Ribs Recipe

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Grits Cakes with Poached Eggs and Country Gravy

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Although this recipe doesn't call for bacon, it uses bacon drippings to cook the grits cakes. Cook up a batch of your favorite bacon to eat on the side, and save the drippings to use here.

Grits Cakes with Poached Eggs and Country Gravy Recipe

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Bacon-Wrapped Salmon

Photo: Kana Okada; Styling: Lynn Miller

It's a well-known fact that adding bacon to any dish automatically improves the end result. Serve this 5-ingredient dish for dinner and receive rave reviews.

Bacon-Wrapped Salmon Recipe

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Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

This easy, heart-warming pasta recipe has minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Enjoy it for dinner tonight.

Bacon Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

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Mango-Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

This is a delicious partner for grilled fish. Don't forget fresh crusty bread to soak up every bit of the warm vinaigrette.

Mango-Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Recipe

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Chicken and Bacon Roll-Ups

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Made hearty with shredded chicken, these easy sandwiches can be endlessly adapted to suit any taste.

Chicken and Bacon Roll-Ups Recipe

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Bacon and Blue Mashed Potato Bake

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

When you add a wedge of blue cheese and crispy, crumbled bacon to classic buttermilk mashed potatoes, the results are an outstanding potato bake. These savory potatoes are a great accompaniment to grilled steak.

Bacon and Blue Mashed Potato Bake Recipe

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Endive Salad with Bacon, Gorgonzola, and Avocado

Annabelle Breakey

We like to toss this salad together for a casual presentation, but if you want to dress it up for a dinner party, keep the endive leaves whole, arrange them on a platter, fill them with the avocado-bacon-gorgonzola mixture, and drizzle with vinaigrette.

Endive Salad with Bacon, Gorgonzola, and Avocado Recipe

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Bacon-and-Pea-Stuffed Potatoes

Top baked potatoes with bacon, peas, and cheddar cheese for an easy, comforting supper.

Bacon-and-Pea-Stuffed Potatoes Recipe

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Mini Bacon, Tomato, and Basil Sandwiches

Photo: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Buffy Hargett

These little tea sandwiches are simple, yet wonderful. They can be assembled up to two hours ahead. Simply cover with a damp paper towel to keep bread from drying out.

Mini Bacon, Tomato, and Basil Sandwiches Recipe

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Everyday Frittata

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Feed four people for around $7 with this easy frittata recipe. Zucchini, tomatoes, bacon, and Swiss make up the delicious filling.

Everyday Frittata Recipe

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Year of Bacon: March 2015

1 of 31

Homemade Bacon

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The Ultimate Fried Egg Sandwich with BBQ Bacon

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Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata

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Bacon-Parmesan Tassies

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Endive "Chips" with Blue Cheese Dip and Bacon Dust

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Southwest Cornmeal Bacon

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Pecan-Rosemary Bacon

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BBQ Bacon

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Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Swiss Chard

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Pasta with Bacon, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Zest

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Bacon, Egg and Cheese Casserole

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Waffled Bacon & Cheddar Grits

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Grilled Tofu, Bacon, and Avocado Sandwiches

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Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyère

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Rosemary Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Salad

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Baby Potatoes with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

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Shrimp 'n' Grits Pie

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Mini Bacon and Egg Tarts

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Grilled Pimiento, Cheddar, and Bacon on Sourdough

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Cucumber and Noodle Salad

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Cassoulet with Bacon, Andouille, and Country Ribs

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Grits Cakes with Poached Eggs and Country Gravy

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Bacon-Wrapped Salmon

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Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

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Mango-Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

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Chicken and Bacon Roll-Ups

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