Bacon, Linguine and Tomato Pasta with Blue Cheese

1 T butter
2 T chopped shallots
1 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
1 1/4 c whipping cream
2 T chopped fresh parsley
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil

12 ounces linguine

4 slice bacon chopped
4 medium tomatoes peeled, seeded and copped
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro
1 c freshly grated parmesan
1/3 c crumbled blue cheese

Melt 1 T butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic; sauce until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in cream, parsley, oregano and basil. Simmer until sauce is reduced to 1 cup, about 3 minutes. ( can be prepared a day ahead). Cook linguine in pot of boiling salted water. Boil until tender and drain.
In a skillet, cook chopped bacon till browned and add chopped tomatoes. Next, add the bacon and tomatoes to the drained linguine. Add sauce to the linguine and place on a platter/bowl. Stir in cilantro and top with cheeses.

Peaches, Bacon and Blue cheese

I LOVE THIS! I had to share this with you. Bacon seems to be on so many lists and I really like food that is more pure and simple in taste. so, this recipe is adapted from Pillsbury's Peach and Bacon Bites.
I wanted to do something a little different for the holiday. I came up with the idea because of a desire to do something with bacon. And I discovered that all bacons do not bake the same. I knew that but when started rolling these, I wish I had 3 different kinds of bacon.



What was key in making these was to microwave the bacon so it's partially cooked through but still pliable. I did that. Then I took a small slice of blue cheese, a wedge of nectarine, with the skin on. I left the skin on because it was too slippery without it.



I put the small slice of blue cheese in the cavity of the nectarine and wrapped the half baked bacon around it. As you can see in the picture, a fatty piece of bacon curls too much and makes it more difficult to eat the item, neatly.

I made these before the holiday weekend and kept them in the fridge. And, I forgot about them! So much commotion, so much heat and so much to do these little things were forgotten. As the refrigerator emptied, I found these little surprises! That was like finding $20 in a pocket! So preheated the oven to 350 and when it was ready, I popped them in. I baked them till they were a little more baked, about another 12 minutes. They had to cool a little before enjoying. I shall probably make them again with a different kind of bacon.

Here is the recipe:

2 nectarines, cut into wedges ( approximately 12 pieces)
2 oz. blue cheese, cut into smaller slivers to fit nectarine cavity
12 strips of bacon
Preheat oven to 350.
Microwave bacon for 2-4 minutes depending on your power level. You want the bacon to be pliable.
Lay a nectarine wedge on a plate. Put a slice of blue cheese in the center of the nectarine wedge. Take a partially baked bacon strip and wrap it around the nectarine. Hold in place with a toothpick. Continue doing this with all the slices.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes. Cool before eating.

Graduation Party

This was FUN! I was so looking forward to catering this party and it was pulled off with one week's notice!
Here's the Menu: Pita Pizza bites
Steak bites with bloody Mary Dipping Sauce- no labor either
Bagel Dogs -with cheese sauce, ketchup and mustard
Brie crostini
deviled eggs
mini cheese balls – ranch, blue cheese, Mexican
Baked Potato Fingers with Spicy Avocado dipping sauce
The other part of this fun menu was it's ease in execution and transportation to the event! All around, this was just wonderful. Val, my client suggested the Bagel Dogs which were an incredible, over the top, hit!