For Jessica!~ Bacon Contest and Engagement Party

YAY for winning the contest love!! here are some YUMMY fast and easy bacon recipes that any domestic diva should have on hand for those last min. get together, gatherings, football parties, or any dinner party!!

1. Bacon wrapped Jalapeno- you wrap the bacon around the jalapeno secure with a tooth pick and either pop them on the grill or in the skillet! you can stuff them with cream cheese if you wish but either way they are delish!

2. All the way mashed potatoes- Mashed potatoes with chives, sour cream, cheese and you guessed it BACON!!

3.Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites with Spicy Sour Cream Dipping Sauce
makes about three dozen bites

1 pound small or medium red potatoes
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped, fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper
12 ounces-to-1 pound thick-cut bacon
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 teaspoon hot sauce
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Wash and dry the potatoes. Chop them into 1-inch pieces, keeping the chunks roughly the same size, even if they aren't the exact same shape. Put the potatoes in a medium pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Season the water with salt. Once the water begins to boil, cook the potatoes for about 3 to 4 minutes, until you can stick a fork into them without too much resistance. You want the potatoes to be almost, but not fully, cooked through (so they won't fall apart during the next steps).

Drain the potatoes and put them in a large bowl. Add the rosemary, olive oil, salt, and a few grinds of pepper, and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.

Cut the strips of bacon in half (with a short, vertical slice). Wrap each piece of potato in a half-strip of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. Put the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. You may need to cook the potatoes in two batches.

Cook the potatoes for 15 minutes, then flip each piece. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the bacon is cooked through and crisp. Mix the sour cream and hot sauce in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Pile the potato bites on a plate and serve alongside the dip.

4.Bacon/chees quesadillas: I use the quesadilla maker; but you can use a regular skillet...just take a tortilla fold in half and fill with shredded cheese and cooked bacon! pop in the skillet like you would a grilled cheese, you can add scrambled eggs/potatoes for a breakfast taco



Hope that helps you out a little bit!! and as for the engagement party:
It's to honor YOU guys and let everyone ooooh an ahhh over your ring!!!...it lets the families mingle and the wedding party meet! A good way to incorporate the bacon and the party is to have a grill out type engagement party!!

some fun ideas are "she said yes" plates/napkins/invites you can find at any local hobby lobby michaels walmart target etc.

having a basket with blank notecards for guest to write "marriage tips" for the couple/ best wishes

pictures of the couple throughout their time together placed about with fun facts about each them like where they met, how long you've been together, their first date, their favorite movie, their song, etc.

a money tree: a place for guest to give financial gifts to the couple

"the newly-wed game" - use an older couple (like grandparents), a middle couple (parents/step parents) or another "friend" couple, and the engaged couple ask fun questions like what's their fave color, what's their fave drink etc. and see who wins! have blank paper and pens for answers to be written down!

the father of the bride usually makes a toast giving his blessing on the engagement

Hope that helps you girly!! Have fun!!!!