Mary’s Bloody Mary Garnishes - Also Great Stand-Alone Appetizers
Following are the garnishes. Aside from the caramelized bacon, the recipes are for 4 pieces to garnish the cocktail.
Make the whole recipe - you will want to munch of these.
Caramelized Bacon
Ingredients:
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup chopped or whole pecans
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 pound thick-sliced applewood-smoked bacon
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil (for easy cleaning) and place a wire baking rack on top.
Combine the brown sugar and pecans in a food processor and process until the pecans are finely ground. Add the salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper and pulse to combine. Add the maple syrup and pulse again to moisten the crumbs.
Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise and line up the pieces on the baking rack without touching. With a small spoon, evenly spread the pecan mixture on top of each piece of bacon, using all of the mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is very browned but not burnt. If it’s under-baked, the bacon won't crisp as it cools.
While it’s hot, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside to cool. Serve at room temperature.
Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten
This shows the triangle wedge you cut out to stuff the cheese inside.
Roasted Baby Peppers with Pepper Jack Cheese
Ingredients:
4 mini sweet pepper
2 thick slice of pepper jack cheese, cut into strips
olive oil
Directions:
Line a baking sheet with foil. Wash peppers and with a sharp knife cut a long triangle along the top of one side. Remove the triangle piece of pepper and gently wash out the inside of the pepper removing the seeds. Wedge pieces of pepper jack cheese into the opening. Break the cheese strips to get as much as you can in the pepper cavity. Place the triangle piece of pepper on top of the opening. Brush with olive oil. Place on the baking sheet and broil at 450 degrees for 5 minutes. Check the peppers. You want to have them slightly browned on top. Broil longer is needed.
So simple to grill. Just brush with olive oil and a little sprinkle of salt and pepper
Grilled Jumbo Shrimp
Ingredients:
4 large raw jumbo shrimp, cleaned and deveined
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Line a baking sheet with foil. Wash peppers and with a sharp knife cut a long triangle along the top of one side. Remove the triangle piece of pepper and gently wash out the inside of the pepper removing the seeds. Wedge pieces of pepper jack cheese into the opening. Break the cheese strips to get as much as you can in the pepper cavity. Place the triangle piece of pepper on top of the opening. Brush with olive oil. Place on the baking sheet and broil at 450 degrees for 5 minutes. Check the peppers. You want to have them slightly browned on top. Broil longer is needed.
Skewer shrimp, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Under a broiler or on the grill, grill shrimp on both sides brushing lightly with any olive oil left on the brush. About 3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
To assemble on the Bloody Mary lay a piece of the bacon across the top of the glass. Position a stuffed pepper on top of the bacon. Skewer the shrimp with a couple of green olives and add to side of the bacon strip. Drink and enjoy!