As December unfolds its chilly embrace, ushering in a season of warmth and festivity, elevate your holiday gatherings with the tantalizing allure of Chile Crisp-Glazed Bacon Bites. This inventive and flavor-packed dish brings a perfect blend of heat, sweetness, and smokiness to your December table, creating an unforgettable culinary experience that resonates with the spirit of the season.
Imagine the crispiness of perfectly glazed bacon bites, each one a delightful explosion of flavors that dance on your palate. The Chile Crisp glaze, a harmonious blend of spicy peppers, fragrant garlic, and savory undertones, imparts a unique and invigorating twist to the familiar comfort of bacon. The infusion of heat and smokiness transforms this classic appetizer into a complex and mouthwatering treat, making it an ideal addition to your festive repertoire.
Chile Crisp-Glazed Bacon Bites not only cater to the craving for indulgent and savory delights that often accompanies winter celebrations but also bring an element of culinary innovation to your holiday table. The juxtaposition of spicy and sweet, along with the irresistible crunch of bacon, creates a sensory experience that resonates with the joy and excitement of December gatherings. Whether served as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a delectable snack during a cozy night in, these bacon bites elevate the ordinary to extraordinary, making them a highlight of your seasonal festivities.
As you savor each bite of Chile Crisp-Glazed Bacon, let the warmth of the glaze and the savory richness of the bacon envelop your senses, creating a memorable culinary moment that embodies the essence of December’s culinary delights. It’s a celebration of bold flavors, a symphony of tastes that adds a touch of spice and sophistication to your winter gatherings, making every bite a journey into the heart of festive indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce dried whole Japones chiles (mild or medium)
- 1/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts, chopped
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon crushed cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed Szechuan peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 cup peanut oil
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced garlic
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced garlic
- 1 1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into 1-inch cubes
Directions
- Using gloves, remove and discard stems and seeds from chiles. Transfer chiles to a food processor or a spice grinder; process until finely chopped but not ground, about 15 seconds. Stir together chiles, peanuts, salt, cumin, Szechuan peppercorns, black pepper, and star anise in a large heatproof bowl; place a fine wire-mesh strainer over bowl.
- Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high until shimmering. Add shallots, garlic, and ginger; cook, stirring often, until golden and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Immediately pour mixture through strainer set over bowl with chiles. Spread strained solids on paper towels to drain. Let cool 30 minutes; stir into chile-oil mixture in bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange bacon cubes evenly on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until fat has rendered but bacon is not yet crisp, 45 to 55 minutes. Meanwhile, remove chile crisp mixture from refrigerator; let come to room temperature, 30 to 45 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a large bowl; discard drippings. Remove and discard star anise from chile crisp. Add 1/4 cup chile crisp to bacon; toss to coat. Add additional chile crisp to taste. Serve warm with food picks.
Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chile-crisp-glazed-bacon-bites