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Chef Wes Bonner has been with the Aprons Cooking School for the past several years, where he instructs people on all levels of cooking, from simple basics to entire Thanksgiving meals.
See also:— Q&A with Chef Wes Bonner
Bonner was kind enough to share a favorite recipe: a pear and Maytag blue cheese frittata with Applewood bacon jam:
Pear Frittata with Maytag Blue Cheese and Applewood Bacon Jam
Ingredients:Serves 4 to 6
1 pound applewood bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces1 large sweet onion, diced small3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled½ cup cider vinegar½ cup packed dark-brown sugar¼ cup pure maple syrup¾ cup brewed coffee2 firm, ripe pears2 tablespoons butter or margarine6 large eggs1/3 cup milk¼ cup all purpose flour1 tablespoon sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract¼ teaspoon salt½ cup Maytag blue cheese, crumbled
Instructions:
1) In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned, about 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet (reserve for another use).
2) Add onions and garlic, and cook until onions are translucent, about six minutes. Add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, and coffee and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up browned bits from skillet with a wooden spoon, about two minutes. Add bacon and stir to combine.
3) Transfer mixture to a 6-quart saucepan and cook on low, uncovered, until liquid is syrupy, 3 1/2 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Let cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container.
4) Preheat oven to 425°F. Peel pears and cut them into ½-inch chunks. In a 9-10 inch, non-stick oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Add pears and saute until lightly browned. In a bowl, blend eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla and salt. Pour over pears. Bake for 8-12 minutes, cool slightly and slice. Spoon jam over serving portions. Sprinkle with cheese.
Pairing Suggestion: Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel
For more information on Publix Aprons Cooking School classes, or for more free recipes, visit the Publix website.
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