Summer Corn Pasta

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne or bowtie)
• 2 cups fresh corn (cut from cob or frozen)
• 1 container cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 block cream cheese
• 4 slices precooked bacon, crisped up and crumbled
• Salt & pepper
• Parmesan (optional)

Directions

1. Boil pasta. In last 3 mins, add corn. 
2. Drain and return to pot. 
3. Stir in cream cheese and bacon, season to taste. 
4. Top with parm.

Creamy Pasta With Parsnips, Leeks and Bacon

Ingredients

• 3 medium parsnips (3/4 pound), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling
• Kosher salt and black pepper, as needed
• ½ pound dried campanelle or farfalle pasta (any pasta with ruffles)
• ¼ pound thick cut bacon, diced
• 1 medium leek, washed and thinly sliced into half moons
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ⅔ cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Toss parsnips with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing occasionally, until parsnips are golden and tender, about 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until 1 minute before it’s al dente.
4. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes; use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan.
5. Return skillet to heat and add leeks. Cook in remaining bacon fat until softened, about 5 minutes. 
6. Stir in heavy cream and cooked bacon. Allow cream to come to a boil to release water and simmer mixture the until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Stir in pasta, parsnips and cheese. Simmer until heated through and cheese is melted, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; toss with parsley. 
8. Serve drizzled with olive oil, with plenty of black pepper on top.

Notes
- Other root vegetables may be substituted including sweet potato, butternut squash, or carrot
- good winter dish

Source
http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015979-pasta-with-parsnips-and-bacon
http://www.nytimes.com/video/dining/100000003068586/techniques-cleaning-leeks.html

Baked Brown Sugar Bacon

Ingredients

• 1 package bacon
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375º
2. lay bacon flat on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper
3. Sprinkle bacon with brown sugar
4. Cook bacon in the oven for 10-15 minutes until crispy

Notes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces

Source
http://cornell.spoonuniversity.com/2014/06/make-perfect-bacon

Hoppin’ John

Ingredients

• 1 whole medium yellow onion, small diced
• 2 green bell peppers, small diced
• 4 stalks celery, peeled and small diced
• 1 carton mushrooms, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans black-eyed peas, lightly rinsed (leave some of the bean juice)
• 1 package thick-cut bacon, cut into bits OR a bunch of leftover Honey Baked Ham, diced
• 2 - 3 cups low-sodium (or No-sodium) chicken broth
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup white or brown rice, for serving
• 1/4 cup freshly grated smoked Gouda for garnish (not just garnish, this is essential)

Directions

1. In pot over medium heat add bacon and cook it slowly, stirring the bacon without browning. 
2. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the celery, onion, and bell pepper.
3. Sauté until they begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes. 
4. Add garlic, stir well, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
5. Add the black-eyed peas.
6. Cover with chicken stock.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for approximately 30 minutes until the beans are three quarters tender; and not mushy.
8. While the black-eyed peas are cooking, cook the rice separately according to package instructions.
9. After 30 minutes, check the liquid level; if it's too soupy, cook with the lid off for another 15 minutes or so. If it's too thick, splash in a little more broth.
10. Serve over rice, making sure to get plenty of the cooking liquid spooned over the top. Or, you may mix the bean mixture with the rice before serving.

Recipe Sources
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/12/hoppin-john
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/hoppin_john
http://seattletimes.com/html/foodwine/2008575199_zfoo31prosperousfoods.html?cmpid=2628