Warm Chicken and Radish Spring Salad

Preparation

5

Minutes

Total Time

10

Minutes

Serves

8

servings

Ingredients
Preparation

1pkg Maple Leaf Prime^® Boneless Skinless Sliced Chicken Breast
½lemon, juiced
1tbsp dry Cajun spice blend
1tbsp vegetable oil
1142g package arugula
1 ½cup head lettuce, chopped
1cup radish, quartered
4hard boiled eggs, quartered
1cup croutons

Salad dressing:

3tbsp (45 mL) white wine vinegar
3tbsp (45 mL) extra virgin olive oil
½lemon, juiced
1tbsp parmesan cheese
½tsp Dijon mustard
½tsp Italian seasoning

Preheat grill to medium high heat.
In a large bowl toss chicken with seasoning and oil.
Grill about 4 minutes per side or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached. Remove onto platter and keep warm.
In a small bowl whisk all the ingredients and until blended.
In a large bowl toss the lettuce and radish with dressing. Place onto a large platter.
Sprinkle croutons over top. Arrange eggs over the salad and lay the warm chicken on top.
Serve family style. Drizzle extra olive oil over top if desired.

Seasonal Suggestion: Asparagus is in season during the warmer summer months. Adding a bunch of green asparagus will add a fresh touch to your salad.

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Whole wheat and grain Bacon, 3 cheese grilled cheese

Preparation

5

Minutes

Total Time

15

Minutes

Serves

4

sandwiches

Whole wheat and grain Bacon, 3 cheese grilled cheese

Ingredients
Preparation

1375g pkg Maple Leaf^® Less Salt Natural Bacon, cooked and set aside
1tbsp butter, softened
Olive oil or vegetable oil cooking spray
8slices good quality whole wheat and grain bread
4slices marble cheese
4slices mild provolone cheese
4slices Havarti cheese
Your favourite ketchup or BBQ sauce

On a clean surface lay slices of bread flat. Arrange marble cheese onto base of bread.
Place two slices of bacon over each followed by provolone, and Havarti. Top with remaining slices of bread.
Lightly spray the tops of the sandwiches with cooking oil.
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Working in batches, cook sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
To get an even melt, reduce heat slightly and cover skillet with a second skillet for a minute or two.
Remove sandwiches onto a cutting board and slice in half.

Save time! Try use Maple Leaf Ready Crisp Bacon. Serve with a side salad or kettle chips.

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Crispy Bacon Topped Devilled Easter Egg Baskets

Preparation

5

Minutes

Total Time

15

Minutes

Serves

24

devilled eggs

Crispy Bacon Topped Devilled Easter Egg Baskets

Ingredients
Preparation

12eggs, hard boiled, peeled, sliced and yolks removed
185g pkg Maple Leaf^® Ready Crisp^® Bacon bits
⅓cup mayonnaise plus extra
Salt
White pepper
1bunch fresh curly parsley, stems removed
⅓cup alfafa
24chives, trimmed

In a large bowl using a hand mixer blend yolks and mayonnaise on medium high.
Add more mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and free of any lumps and consistency is moderately thick.
Transfer mixture into a piping bag outfitted with a large star. Pipe mixture into hollowed out egg halves.
Place bacon into a microwave safe dish lined with paper towel for about 30 to 45 seconds. Allow to cool slightly.
Sprinkle onto devilled eggs. Place a small tuft of alfalfa over top.
Carefully take chives and create the basket “handle” by wedging each end into the filling of the egg at each side.
Arrange curly parsley onto a large platter and arrange eggs over top to create a “garden patch”.

Can be made in advance. Get the kids to help – this is a fun way to get them creative in the kitchen.

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Bacon Stuffed Celery Boats

Preparation

10

Minutes

Total Time

5 (+ 1hr chill time)

Minutes

Serves

28

boats

Ingredients
Preparation

185g pkg Maple Leaf^® Ready Crisp^® bits
140g pkg dry vegetable soup mix
½cup mayonnaise
¾cup sour cream
½cup cream cheese
½cup fresh parsley, chopped
1bunch celery, trimmed and cut into 2 to 2.5 inch logs

In the base of a food processor combine soup mix, mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese and parsley.
Blend on high until just combined. About a minute. Spoon mixture into a bowl and allow to chill for an hour.
Heat a small skillet over medium heat and gently heat up bacon bits. Remove from heat and set aside.
Spoon mixture into a piping bag outfitted with a star tip. Pipe filling into the celery cavity. Continue until all the filling is used.
Generously sprinkle bacon bits over each celery boat. Serve immediately.

Get your kids to help! Choose fun tips for the piping bag to create different celery boats. Filling can be made two days in advance and kept in an air tight container.

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Maple Bacon Winter Salad

Preparation

10

Minutes

Total Time

20

Minutes

Serves

4

servings

Ingredients
Preparation

1pkg Maple Leaf^® Original Natural Bacon
1 ½cup cubed sweet potato, roasted
2cups purple kale, shredded
2 ½cup baby greens
½cup pecans, toasted
½cup feta cheese, crumbled
½cup fresh pomegranate

Dressing:

4tbsp (60ml) good quality olive oil
3tbsp (45ml) apple cider vinegar
1tbsp (15ml) Dijon mustard
1 ½tbsp (22ml) maple syrup
Salt
Pepper

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cook bacon for 12 to 14 minutes or until crisp and a temperature of 165ºF is reached. Remove from baking sheet and blot with paper towel. Set aside and keep warm.
In a large bowl combine kale, greens, pecans, cheese and pomegranate. Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together until well combined. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Arrange onto platter.
Roughly chop bacon and sprinkle over top. Serve immediately.

Simplify your salad – use Maple Leaf® Ready Crisp® bacon!

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Bacon and Green Onion Cheese Ball

Preparation

10

Minutes

Total Time

15

Minutes

Serves

6 to 8

servings

Ingredients
Preparation

1pkg Maple Leaf^® Original Natural Bacon, cooked and diced into small bits – divided
1340g container cream cheese, softened
¼cup sour cream
2tbsp vegetable or ranch style seasoning
½tsp pepper
½tsp paprika
½tsp garlic powder
½cup finely grated double cheese blend
1cup + 2 heaping tbsp finely grated old cheddar
⅔cup toasted pecans, chopped
¼cup green onion finely chopped, divided

In a large bowl combine bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, seasonings, cheeses and green onion. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients.
Lightly oil clean hands with vegetable or olive oil and shape mixture into a large ball.
Place onto plastic wrap and twist tightly to keep ball shape. Place into a fitted bowl. Refrigerate overnight.
Reheat reserved bacon to just warm. Combine with nuts, reserved cheese and onions.
Gently roll entire cheese ball into the mixture until completely coated.
Serve with assorted crackers.

Serve with Maple Leaf^® Natural Selections^® sliced meats on a serving tray for a great appetizer.