Candied Bacon Bloody Mary

Hey friends. Welcome to the start of this sweet little project, just in time for the week of Mother’s Day called “Brunch Week.” A bunch of us bloggers got together to share our favorite brunch recipes. We figure, what Mom does not love brunch, right? Scratch that. What human being doesn’t like brunch?

Sleeping in and then being able to eat breakfast-ish food and drink cocktails? Sign me up any day!

One of my favorite all time go to brunch orders has to be a bloody Mary. I love the little kick of spice, plus it is basically like a meal in a glass. A while ago my brothers and our significant others went to an all-you-can drink bloody Mary bar. It cost ten dollars. They would give you the cup, the vodka, and the ice. You would take your cup and go to the bar to choose from straight up tomato juice along with fresh herbs and spices, different bloody Mary mixes, tons of olives, pickles, cheeses, and of course a big stick of celery.

For my Brunch Week contribution, I wanted to think of a better stirrer for a bloody. Enter candied bacon. I kind of hate celery. I really find no purpose for this vegetable. Sorry, I’m not sorry. It is basically water. Candied bacon cooks up crisp and sturdy. It adds the perfect calming sweetness after a spicy sip of the bloody Mary.

If you are looking for something special to do for the Mom in your life, build her your own bloody Mary bar. I had a friend over and we enjoyed this idea thoroughly. We called it Tuesday, Bloody Tuesday. It was Spring Break and we wanted to day drink. I set up some vodkas and gins, bloody Mary mix, ice, pickles, olives, celery (just in case you have some lovers of celery on hand), pepperoncini, and of course a nice nut blend to diffuse some of the booze.

We are so grateful to have such amazing sponsors for Brunch Week who have given us a fabulous bunch of incredible (INCREDIBLE!) prizes for our giveaway.

Prize #1:

From California Walnuts one lucky winner will receive:

A KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer model number: KSM150PSGA. Mixer comes with: 2-piece pouring shield, 5-quart stainless steel bowl, flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip.

A Walnut Prize Pack containing 1lb burlap bag of fresh California Walnuts, 1 portion control tin, 1 heart shaped cookie cutter, 1 flexible cutting mat, 1 mini spatula, 1 chip clip and 1 water pouch. .

Prize #2: (but with lots of winners)

From Lodge Cast Iron one lucky winner will receive:

One lucky winner from the rafflecopter below will receive a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, three silicone pieces (a hot handle holder, a pot holder and a trivet).

In addition, one lucky participant from our TweetChat on Sunday May 5th from 2-3pm Eastern will also win a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and the three silicone pieces. PLUS five lucky participants will get a set of the three silicone pieces. (Search for hashtag #BrunchWeek to follow along. Use the hashtag in tweets during the chat to enter to win).

AND, everyone who comments in our PinChatLive on Saturday May 11th between 2-3pm Eastern will also be entered to win one prize of a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and a set of three silicone pieces and 4 prizes that contain three silicone pieces each. (For the PinChatLive go to The BrunchWeek Pinterest Board at 2pm on May 11th and comment on the questions pins there. Refresh your screen often so you don’t miss any new questions).

Prize #3:

From Flavors of Summer one lucky winner will receive:

A Flavors of Summer Entertaining Package including (get this!) a $100 gift card to Sur la Table! In addition to the amazing gift card, this entertaining package includes a variety of goodies including cookbooks, kitchen utensils, entertaining partyware like a chip and dip server, beverage container and more.  From free products, to fun stuff for decorating – you’ll be able to make the most of your next summer party.

Prize #4:

From Black Gold Farms one lucky winner will receive:

A Martha Stewart Collection Kitchen Prize Package including a 3 quart Enameled Cast Iron Casserole, Magnetic Spice Grinders, a Pot Clip, Cheese Grater and a Silicone Head Spatula.

Prize #5:

From the Food and Wine Conference and #SundaySupper:

The Food and Wine Conference is being held in Orlando, Florida from July 19-21st at the unbelievably beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek. Speakers include Sara Moulton (of Food Network fame), Michael Green (a true celebrity in the wine and spirits world) and Jaden Hair (cookbook author and creator of Steamy Kitchen). This prize is for a single Full Conference Pass with a value of $250. (Accommodations can be booked at the Rosen Shingle Creek at a highly discounted rate for all conference attendees).

Prize #6:

From Bob’s Red Mill one lucky winner will receive:

A Bob’s Red Mill Kitchen Prize Pack: A  beautifully emblazoned Bob’s Red Mill canvas tote bag containing the Bob’s Red Mill Cookbook, assorted Bob’s Red Mill products, a Salter® Baker’s Dream Aquatronic Baking Scale, Norpro® Silicone Heat Resistant Spatula, Best® Standard French Whip and a $40 Bob’s Red Mill Gift Card.

Prize #7:

From Whole Foods Orlando one lucky winner will receive:

The Whole Foods Orlando Breakfast In Bed Basket: Mixing Bowl, Allegro Organic Breakfast Blend Coffee, Allegro Coffee Mug, Cooking Whisk, Microplane, Delamotte Champagne, 365 Organic Amber Maple Syrup, Whole Pantry Cinnamon Sticks, French Brioche and a $25 Whole Foods Market Gift Card

Prize #8:

From Whole Foods Orlando one lucky winner will receive:

Whole Foods Flavorful Delights Basket: Full of fun items and ingredients to play with in the kitchen: 5 qt Colander,, Servino Homemade Pastas, 365 Organic Balsamic Vinegar, Macadamia Oil, Marmigiano Regiano, Key Lime Savory Oil, Branfords Original Hot Sauce, Cheese Grater, Vosges Black Pearl Bar Chocolate, Vosges Fire Bar Chocolate, R.C. Buck’s Gourmet Rub – Sweet Orange Habanero, Divina Pickles – Sweet Watermelon Rind,  Composta Di Fragole – Strawberry Compote with Modena Balsamic Vinegar, Sabatino Tartufi – Truffle and Honey

Prize #9:

From Stonyfield Organic one lucky winner will receive:

A Stonyfield Kitchen Prize Pack: A Prize Pack full  of yogurt fun From Stonyfield Organic Yogurt is just ONE of the amazing prizes in our #BrunchWeek 2013 giveaway.Preserve Colander, Preserve portable yogurt carrier, Preserve cutting board, Stonyfield cookbook, Stonyfield oven mitt, Travel sandwhich carrier made out of 100% reused plastic bottles, Stonyfield water bottle, Stonyfield tote bag, 10 free cups of Stonyfield Greek.

Just enter by following the instructions in this handy dandy Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

Today’s Brunch Recipes From Participating BrunchWeekers

Beverages

Hot Maple Walnut Coffee Float by Coook the Story

Blood Orange Mimosas by Love and Confections

Strawberry Mimosa by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner

Margarita for Mama by poet in the pantry

Eggs

Breakfast Won Ton Cups by Small Wallet Big Appetite

Meat Lover’s Quiche by Savory Sweet Eats

Chorizo and Garlic Frittata by {i love} my disorganized life

Meat, Poultry and Fish

Candied Bacon by Cravings of a Lunatic

Shrimp-Grapefruit Orchid Stirfry by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Savory Treats

Hollandaise Sauce by Kokocooks

Tomato Basil Macarons by Vanilla Lemonade

Breads, Grains, Cereals and Pancake-type Yums

Apple Cinnamon Crepes by Sweet Remedy

Grain-free Apple Walnut Pancakes by Seasonal and Savory

Desserts

Biscoff Coffee Cake Muffins by White Lights on Wednesday

Bob’s Scottish Oat n’ Walnut Sticky Scones by The Vintage Cook

Print

Candied Bacon Bloody Mary

Crisp, slightly sweet and slightly spicy bacon stirrers for a Bloody Mary bar.

Course Beverage

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 6 -12

Author Sarcastic Cooking

Ingredients

• For the Bacon:
• 12 Strips of Thick Cut Bacon
• ¼ Cup Brown Sugar tightly packed
• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• Pinch of Salt and Pepper
• For the Bloody Mary Bar:
• Ice
• Vodka
• Bloody Mary Mix
• Pickles
• Olives
• Celery
• Lemons
• Pepperoncini
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Line one to two large baking sheets with foil. Arrange the slices of bacon on the foil lined sheets about an inch apart.
3. Mix together the brown sugar, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture on top of each slice of bacon. It is alright if the seasoning mixture doesn't cover the bacon completely.
4. Bake the bacon in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until crisp.
5. Let bacon cool for a few minutes before transferring to a plate or piece of tin foil to finish cooling. Once completely cooled the bacon will be a sturdy stirrer for the bloody Mary.
6. Arrange glasses, ice, bloody Mary Mix, vodka, condiments, and candied bacon out on a table. Enjoy right away!

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