All You Need is Bacon

**Illustration by Asiria Ramirez** / el Don

From the Kitchen of Asiria Ramirez

Bacon Candy

1 pound sliced bacon

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Dash of cayenne pepper

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray an oven-safe wire rack with nonstick cooking spray.In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, the cinnamon and the cayenne pepper.

Take a strip of bacon and press it into the sugar mixture, then turn it over and coat the other side with sugar.Bake the bacon in your preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes.

When it is done, it will be firm and crispy. Let cool. Enjoy.

Cheesy Bacon Popcorn

4 cups popcorn

1 tablespoon bacon drippings

3 slices cooked bacon

1/4 cup grated parmesan and cheddar.

Directions: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings on 4 cups hot popcorn. Toss with 3 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon and 1/4 cup each of

grated parmesan and cheddar.

Bacon Wrapped Hotdogs

9 slices bacon, cut in half

6 hot dogs, cut into thirds

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions: Heat oven to 400 F.Wrap a strip of bacon around each hot dog.Place with seam-sides down in foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 22 to 24 minutes or until bacon is crisp and golden brown, turning after 12 minutes.

Bacon Milkshake

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 slices bacon, cooked

2 cups vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup milk

Directions: In 1-quart saucepan, heat syrup and a slice of bacon over medium heat for two minutes. In a blender, place ice cream and milk. Remove bacon from syrup; discard bacon.Add syrup to milk mixture; blend on low speed to combine.Divide milkshake evenly between two glasses.Crumble remaining slice of cooked bacon, sprinkle on milkshakes.

Bacon Brittle

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1 cup peanuts

5 slices cooked bacon

1 tablespoon butter

Directions: Boil 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan, without stirring, for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of peanuts, 5 slices of crumbled cooked bacon, a tablespoon of butter and a pinch of pepper and cinnamon. Spread on a greased baking sheet to harden.