Sure, let’s dive into crafting this delectable Tomato & Bacon Dressing recipe! This versatile concoction can double as a dip or sauce, perfect for enhancing the flavors of various dishes. 🍅🥓
Tomato & Bacon Dressing (or dip, or sauce!)
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 1 quart
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3-5 | Bacon |
| 1 | Red onion |
| 1 | Water |
| 4 | Honey |
| 4 | Red wine vinegar |
| 3 | Tomato paste |
| 2 | Dijon mustard |
| 1 | Cornstarch |
| 1 | Worcestershire sauce |
| 1 | Lemon pepper |
Instructions:
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Fry the Bacon: Begin by frying the bacon until it reaches a crispy texture. This step is crucial as it infuses the dressing with that irresistible smoky flavor. Set the cooked bacon aside and allow it to cool slightly.
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Reserve Bacon Drippings: Don’t discard the bacon drippings just yet! You’ll need about 2 to 3 ounces of this liquid gold for the next step, so be sure to measure it out.
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Crumble the Bacon: Once the bacon has cooled down, crumble three rashers into small pieces. These savory bits will add delightful bursts of flavor to your dressing.
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Sauté the Onions: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté the red onions until they develop a rich brown color or start to caramelize. Stir them often to ensure even cooking and flavor development.
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Prepare the Flavor Base: While the onions are sizzling away, it’s time to prepare the flavor base for your dressing. In a separate bowl, combine the water, honey, and red wine vinegar. Give everything a good whisk to ensure thorough mixing.
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Incorporate Thickening Agents: Add the cornstarch to the water-vinegar-honey mixture and whisk vigorously until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Then, add the tomato paste to the mixture and whisk again until everything is well combined.
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Add Mustard to Onions: Once the onions have caramelized to perfection, gently incorporate the Dijon mustard into the pan. Stir everything together until the mustard is evenly distributed among the onions.
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Combine Ingredients: Now, it’s time to bring all the elements together. Pour the prepared water-vinegar-honey-cornstarch-tomato paste mixture into the saucepan with the onions and mustard.
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Add Flavor Boosters: Don’t forget to add the crumbled bacon and Worcestershire sauce to the mixture for an extra punch of flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some optional hot sauce for a spicy kick.
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Thicken and Boil: Stir the mixture constantly over medium-high heat until it starts to thicken and reaches a gentle boil. This step is crucial for ensuring that the dressing reaches the perfect consistency.
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Refrigerate: Once the dressing has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and transfer it to a tightly sealed container. Allow it to cool before refrigerating.
Enjoy Your Creation:
Congratulations! You’ve just whipped up a batch of tantalizing Tomato & Bacon Dressing that’s sure to elevate any dish it touches. Whether you’re using it as a dressing, dip, or sauce, this flavor-packed concoction is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead, drizzle it over salads, dunk your favorite snacks into it, or use it as a savory sauce for meats and veggies. Get creative and savor every mouthwatering bite! 🍅🥓
