Candied Bacon with Smashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 2-6 Serving(s)

12 ounces sliced bacon
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 medium white onion, thickly sliced
10 to 12 ounces whole mini portobello mushrooms
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
3-1/2 to 3-3/4 pounds red potatoes
6 ounces Cheddar or Parmesan cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper, to taste

About this recipe

This recipe is one of three meals that are made with some of the same ingredients. Cook one or try cooking them as a “stack” of three to best utilize your time and ingredients. Start with this one for Candied Bacon with Smashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables. After cooking that, you will be part-way toward two other meals in the stack, Broccoli, Mushroom and Potato Soup and Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Potato Salad.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°.

Cover a large baking sheet with foil. Lay bacon slices on the sheet in a single layer. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and chili powder. Sprinkle some sugar mixture over 4 to 5 pieces of bacon. (If you are not cooking the stack of meals, make additional sugar mixture to cover all the bacon.)

Add sliced onions, whole mushrooms and broccoli florets to a second baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then toss vegetables and sprinkle over some salt. Place the vegetables and bacon in the oven.

Wash and dry red potatoes then add potatoes to a large pot. (If using larger potatoes, first cut them in halves or quarters.) Cover them with just enough water to be fully submerged, then set to boil. Let potatoes boil until tender, but not falling apart, about 15 to 20 minutes.

After 20 to 25 minutes, check vegetablesand bacon and remove when both are starting to brown (keep in mind that bacon will continue to harden as it sits). Drain potatoes, then add 2 to 3 potatoes (serving portion) per person to a small baking sheet. Smash each potato with a spatula, then sprinkle cheese on top. Set oven to a high broil and place potatoes in the oven to broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Serve candied bacon along with smashed potatoes and a mixture of roasted vegetables as this meal. If cooking the stack of three meals, store remaining bacon, vegetables and potatoes for later use.

Serves 5-6 if just cooking this meal. Serves 2 if cooking the “stack” of 3 meals.

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Amy shops for organic food locally at Native Sun Jax!