Earlier this year I partnered with Tony’s Market to not only start working my way through thier vast collection of recipes but to also photograph them for the Tony’s website. I’m in foodie heaven. Tony’s is a gourmet market & butcher out in Denver, and on man do they know food. Especially bacon.
Just want the recipe? CLICK HERE
I have a big list that I’m working through, and the ones that I love the most, and have tweaked where I saw an opportunity, or just thought that something else may taste better.
This is the first of what I’ve come to think of as my ‘Tony’s Recipe Box’.
Cheesy Artichoke & Bacon Spread
You can’t go wrong with bacon. Ever.
[bctt tweet=”Cheesy Artichoke & Bacon Spread. Because bacon and cheese are always a good idea #columbusohio #bacon #cookeatexplore” username=”cookeatexplore”]
Add in cheese and spread it on crackers or crostini’s? Even better.
The dictionary definition of bacon is this ::
[bey-kuh n]
1.
2.
3.
bring home the bacon,
- to provide for material needs; earn a living.
- to accomplish a task; be successful or victorious:
Our governor went to Washington to appeal for disaster relief andbrought home the bacon—$40 million.
But does that really begin to cover the amazingness that is bacon? Nope. Not even close.
The creaminess of the artichoke hearts blend really well with the crunch of the bacon. The carrots work surprisingly well. The first time that I read this one and saw carrots on the ingredient list was “you’ve got to be kidding me”. It works. Oddly enough.
Click HERE to see the recipe as it was written. Another cool feature of their website is that you can search by ingredient, so if you’re like me, and tend to over shop, and then end up with extra of certain ingredients, you can find other mouthwatering recipes to use up what otherwise may be an obscure kitchen item.
Usually the changes that I make are relatively small, this one however, I took completely off the rails and in a new direction. While it isn’t the prettiest dish ever, it’s super delicious.
Cheesy Artichoke & Bacon Spread
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield A LOT
Bacon, cheese, and artichoke hearts at thier finest.
Ingredients
- 1/3 lb of bacon, cooked crisp & crumbled.
- 1/3 onion, chopped
- 1/4 c chopped carrots
- 1 T white vinegar
- 2 T butter
- chopped garlic, (amount to taste, as I'm always heavy handed with it)
- 2 t chopped rosemary
- 1 can of artichoke hearts, drained (and here's what I would do (but didn't this time... chop them up)
- 1/2 c shredded parmesan or other white cheese
- 1/2 c heavy cream
- Salt & Pepper
- Crackers or Crostinis
Instructions
- Sauté onions & carrots until onions are clear, adding in chopped garlic. Sauté until fragrant and done.
- Add in chopped artichoke hearts and sauté until liquid evaporates, stirring frequently.
- Add in cream, stirring until mixture is warmed through.
- Mix in cheese, stir until everything is melty and combined.
- Chop up rosemary, mix in that, the bacon, and the vinegar.
- Transfer to serving dish and enjoy.
Courses Appetizers
Want to work with me? Hello@cookeatexplore.com
Like some of the other reviewers suggested, I’m going to stir in the chicken, bacon, and chopped artichoke next time to give it a little more texture.