Summer Of Bacon: July 2014

Boxed mac and cheese has nothing on this outstanding recipe. Whether you serve it as a side dish or a main course, this one's sure to be a winner with kids and adults alike. Bottom line is: good things happen when bacon, cheese and chipotle come together.

It's got bacon and butter? We're in. Tender, meaty crab claws are perfect for dipping into this silky sauce. Be sure to reserve a hunk of crusty bread for sopping up the leftovers.

Crumbled bacon is the crowing glory of this creamy cheese dip that features cream cheese, blue cheese and sour cream. You're guaranteed not to have any leftovers when you bring this dip to a party.

It's no secret--Americans love burgers. We also love wrapping things in bacon. If you're looking for a patriotic dish this Fourth of July, look no further. This dressed-up bacon burger is a true crowd-pleaser, making it the perfect choice for your Independence Day cook-out.

This classic layered salad is always popular at potluck suppers with its colorful layers of lettuce, bacon, tomato, olives, green peas, carrot and hard-boiled eggs.

Cornbread muffins work well alongside any type of barbecue. Mix in flavor boosters like bacon, sauteed onions and sharp Cheddar cheese to take ordinary corn muffins to new heights.

Treat yourself to a comfort-food favorite tonight. This lightened version of the rich Italian pasta dish is indulgent and satisfying, yet weighs in at less than 350 calories. And yes--you still get to keep the bacon.

Wake up your household (and possibly your neighbors, too) with the aroma of crispy, sugar-and-spice bacon. Enjoy them alongside scrambled eggs, French toast, or just about anything else.

Deli-roasted chicken and puff pastry cut down on cooking time, while bacon, white wine, and mustard give the gravy and vegetables savory punch.

Tired of grilling steak and chicken? Try fresh seafood! Skin-on fish holds together better on the grill--plus the skin gets deliciously crisp and lightly charred. Paired with a delightful cabbage slaw and grilled Canadian bacon, this meal is one for the books.

Enjoy soup in the summertime by making this satisfying chowder with the season's produce. Top with cheese and bacon for kid appeal.

This recipe could easily be made vegetarian, as it only uses one slice of bacon. Pre-seasoned canned beans, along with a few other pantry staples, help bring these tacos together in a flash.

This dish is like enjoying an omelet stuffed with spinach, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms, with hearty sides of bacon and hash browns, all in one convenient package.

The cookie every dog dreams of… Use uncured bacon and low-sodium broth to make this treat a must-have for your dog. They're okay for humans to eat, so don't worry about sneaking a bite (we won't tell).

Canadian bacon is not actually bacon, but a type of cured ham made from the pork loin. It makes a traditional topping for Hawaiian pizza, alongside fresh pineapple and mozzarella cheese.

Bacon-wrapped shrimp basted in sweet and smoky barbecue sauce are a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer. Serve with extra sauce for dipping and watch as they quickly disappear.

Salty strips of bacon and a tart Champagne vinaigrette play against the layered richness of sweet char-grilled onions, tomatoes and creamy goat cheese. Feel free to mix and match the stacks, maybe even slip in a sliced peach or two.

With several toppings, including caramelized onions, bacon, and barbecue sauce, these can be customized for a range of diners, from those who like their dogs plain to those who want them fully loaded and hearty enough to fuel a day out on the range.

We swapped regular potatoes for sweet potatoes to bring extra vitamins to the dinner table. Load them up with classic toppings like bacon, cheese, sour cream, chives and tomatoes, and you may have just found your family's new favorite side dish.

Similar to Italy's ravioli, "pierogis" are Polish dumplings made from unleavened bread dough and stuffed with a filling, typically made from potatoes. In this dish, potato-and-onion pierogis are covered with a creamy sauce and cheese, then baked until bubbly and topped with bacon, green onions, and tomatoes.

From chef Tyler Florence, everything you could want in a piece of barbecued chicken: moist meat, crisp skin, and tangy sauce. The bacon-and-thyme-infused barbecue sauce is a work of art, and worth every last drop.

Serve up a killer brunch spread featuring these open-faced BLT benedicts. Sunny-side up or sliced boiled eggs would work just as well as poached eggs in this must-try dish.

These fabulous mussels are braised in bacon-infused hard cider. Need we say more? A fresh spinach salad and chilled Porter would make nice accompaniments to this simple seafood supper.

This risotto has all the necessary components: chicken stock, garlic, leeks, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Bacon is utilized twice--as a base for the risotto and crumbled over the top.

The secret to this salad is using big, juicy sweet onions like Vidalias, which get nicely charred on the grill. Sweet peaches, smoky bacon and a tangy buttermilk dressing make this salad an easy summer favorite.

Fresh squash blossoms are a lovely seasonal treat. Enjoy the contrast of crisp, fresh flowers with rich, creamy cheese spread. Be sure to use the best bacon you can find--brands that smoke with real wood offer the best flavor.

This cupcake is without a doubt most men's favorite. You can see the smile as soon as they spot that crisp bacon strip resting on top of the maple frosting. It's the wonderful combination of salty and sweet together, reminiscent of the flavor you get when bacon mingles with syrup while eating pancakes.

Why make the same old thing when you can cook up a chili rich and smoky with bacon and Spanish chorizo, mellowed by whiskey, and fired up with chipotles? Serve with a slice of cornbread and savor the layers of flavor.

Typical Cobb salads include chicken and hard-cooked eggs; this riff uses shrimp and corn. Don't worry--it doesn't omit the bacon!

Grits are treasured like gold in the South. These fritters are the perfect Southern delicacy to introduce to your family and friends. Serve warm with your choice of sauce, such as barbecue or spicy tomato.

Think of this as the perfect hangover breakfast. Three-egg omelets stuffed with cheese, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil are accompanied by caramelized brown sugar-and-whisky bacon. It's both simply wonderful and seriously delicious!