SMOKED BACON POTATO CHEDDAR

Using our Homemade Bacon, try this smoked bacon potato cheddar round for a yummy meal or snack!

At SmokinLicious®, we understand how much people love bacon, especially the smoked version.  That’s why we encourage you to make your own smoked bacon using a pork belly between 3-5 lbs.  This amount will provide for more than a few great recipes as well as enjoyment by the slice.  You can find our method of making smoked homemade bacon here.

For this recipe, I’ll be incorporating 1-1/2 pounds of my smoked bacon with potatoes, sharp white cheddar cheese for a simple, flavorful savory round that can be used for breakfast, as a dinner side dish, or an entrée on its own, as it certainly is hearty enough.

Just 3 Primary Ingredients

This is a super easy recipe from an ingredient standpoint.  It does, however, take a bit of preparation of the ingredients to make the round come out perfectly.

Start by taking your previously smoked pork belly which has become perfectly smoked bacon and make ½-inch thick slices that will be diced.  You’ll need a total of 1-1/2 pounds of diced smoked bacon.  Now take roughly 5 medium sized potatoes, wash them well and pat dry with paper towels.  Slice them by hand into thin slices or use a food processor equipped with a slicing disk or use a mandolin slicer.  Next, you’ll need approximately 1 pound of sharp cheddar cheese – I prefer white versus yellow – grated.

For making the round I use a large spring form pan which is 9 to 10-inch, with the bottom lined in parchment paper.  You can oil the parchment round and the sides of the pan to prevent sticking if your pan is not non-stick already.

Assembly

Begin with the sliced potatoes and start to layer them in a circular pattern in the pan.  Overlap slightly to ensure no leakage.  Now sprinkle a layer of grated cheddar cheese.  Sprinkle a layer of diced smoked bacon.  Then repeat this sequence until all the ingredients are used up, ending with the cheese bacon layer.

Bake or Grill Until Tender

I like to place my filled spring form pan onto a sheet pan to ensure if anything leaks out of the pan, it has a place to land.  Ideal cooking temperature is 350°F and can be done in the oven or on the grill.  If using the grill, be sure to cook using a two-zone setup that will put the pan on the unlit side of the grill.   Cooking time will range between 35-45 minutes.  You’ll know this is cooked, when the top browns nicely and the base potatoes are tender.  Use a knife tip to test for tenderness.

Let cool for just a few minutes, then release the spring form ring.  Move the cooked round to a platter and slice either in squares or pie slices.  Most definitely, this is hardy enough to fill you up and give you the great flavor of a meat pie but with the great flavor of smoked pork that elevates this for popularity!

Tasting Notes: Consider changing up the flavors of this round by including caramelized onions, diced peppers, mushrooms, etc.  I prefer not to add seasonings or herbs to allow the purse flavors of the smoked bacon to come through but certainly you can add as you like.

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