Sometimes two foods that are wonderful alone come together that make each other even better. There are classic pairings like spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese and milk and cookies. But there are also many lesser-known culinary matches that go incredibly well together. One of these under-the-radar combos is smoky, crispy bacon and sweet sautéed onions.
Culinary producer and TODAY Food's "Saucy" host Anthony Contrino shows us how to make a mouthwatering bacon and caramelized onion topping and use it to make three delicious dishes: a creamy bacon-infused onion dip, a fluffy bacon-and-onion frittata and hot dogs with cheese sauce and a bacon-onion topping.
Before Contrino got cooking, Sheinelle Jones talked about his latest project with TODAY food stylist Katie Stilo, The Quarantine Collective, a virtual community of food and beverage professionals that shares recipes and cooking tips and techniques to help unite and inspire people in the kitchen.
They recently released an e-cookbook with recipes and cooking advice from contributors including TODAY regulars like Matt Abdoo and Jet Tila. It was designed by Laura Bacon Zarn and illustrated by April Bartlett, two of TODAY's art directors. All proceeds benefit The James Beard Foundation's Open for Good, a campaign committed to helping independent restaurants survive the coronavirus pandemic, rebuild better and thrive for the long-term.
Growing up, whenever my parents had company, they would make onion dip. They always used a soup package mix — and, don't get me wrong, it's delicious in its own right — but I prefer this homemade version. The Bacon and Caramelized Onion Topping adds a subtle salty and sweet flavor that you just don't get from the packaged stuff. When I'm feeling extra bougie, I'll sprinkle some shredded mozzarella on top and throw it in the broiler until crispy.
I love me a frittata! It's one of the easiest meals you can make. It's also a great way to use up leftovers lurking in the fridge. This version uses leftover Bacon and Caramelized Onion Topping and is dotted with creamy ricotta. It's delicious right out of the oven, at room temperature or even cool, and makes a great breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack!
Does anything say "summer" more than hot dogs? I like to kick them up a notch, dressing them with gooey Dijon-cheddar sauce and a scattering of my salty and sweet Bacon and Caramelized Onion topping!
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