Less Mess Bacon

Perfect, crispy bacon without all the mess!

Less Mess Bacon

1 lb. bacon 

parchment paper

Line 2 rimmed baking sheets (half sheet pans, 13x18) with parchment paper, then lay the bacon strips flat, making sure pieces do not overlap. (See photo below.) Put bacon into a cold oven, and set oven temperature to 400 degrees.  Bake until crisp and browned, 20-25 minutes, or desired doneness, rotating the sheets once. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the bacon slices and also on how quickly your oven reaches the target temperature.  Move bacon strips to a platter covered with paper towels to drain.

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Four-Cheese Broiled Tomato Slices

Cheese and oregano give these broiled tomato slices an Italian flavor.  They are great served as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.

Four-Cheese Broiled Tomato Slices

Taste of Home has amazing recipes, and one of them is the Four-Cheese Broiled Tomato Slices recipe found here:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/four-cheese-broiled-tomato-slices

Note:  Parmesan cheese can be substituted for the Parmesan/Romano blend, and I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese.

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Macadamia Key Lime Pie

This delicious version of Key Lime Pie is easy enough for a beginning baker but impressive enough for guests. The effortless filling can also be used in a traditional graham cracker crust.

A 16 oz. carton of whipping cream is pictured, but only an 8 oz. carton is needed if making your own whipped cream.  Limes are for garnishing the pie.

Macadamia Key Lime Pie

Taste of Home has amazing recipes, and one of them is the Macadamia Key Lime Pie recipe found here:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/macadamia-key-lime-pie  A wonderfully easy whipped cream recipe is linked below.

 Notes:

*I used 7 limes to create the pie pictured above.

*For a deep dish pie plate like the Fiestaware pie plates that I use, I double the crust recipe but don't use all of it...just what I need.

Baking Tip for Easily Removing a Piece of Crumb-Crust Pie:  Just before serving, rub the outside of the filled pie plate with a warm, damp towel.  This softens the butter in the crust, making it less likely to stick to the pie plate.  To prepare the towel, rinse it in very hot water, then wring it well.  

Whipped Cream:  http://easyaspiecanbe.blogspot.com/2013/12/whipped-cream-recipe-and-tutorial.html 

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I was honored when this photo was chosen by QVC for their 2014 Foodie Foto of the Year award. ♥

Zucchini Casserole

My family has been making this zucchini casserole recipe for over forty years.  It has simple ingredients but when combined, is absolutely delicious.

Zucchini Casserole

1 pound ground beef

3 tbsp. butter

1 onion, sliced

1 large or 2-3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

Morton Nature's Seasons Seasoning Blend* to taste

Salt to taste

Shredded cheddar cheese

In a 5 qt. saute pan, brown ground beef and drain; set aside.  In the same pan, melt the butter, and saute the onion and zucchini until the onion is translucent.  Add the ground beef, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.  Season to taste with Morton's Nature's Seasons and salt; simmer about 10 minutes.  Cover with cheddar cheese and then cover with lid until cheese melts.

*Morton's Nature's Seasons Seasoning Blend is found near the salt.

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I adapted this recipe from the original recipe shared with my family by cousin Judy Howerton.