Appetizer Idea~ Guacamole and Bacon Canapés

I haven’t rounded up all the fun things there are to celebrate in September yet, but when I do, I’ll make sure I include International Bacon Day on the list. Today I have a delicious appetizer idea featuring bacon.

You can use this recipe to celebrate Bacon Day, or for any of your other fall celebrations. I think it would be a wonderful recipe for a football party. You could switch it up and serve it on some homemade corn chips.

Guacamole and Bacon Canapés

• 8 slices lean slab bacon
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and seeded
• 1⁄2 small ripe tomato, chopped
• 3 tablespoons scallions, minced (white parts only)
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• 1 small jalapeño chile pepper, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 12 thin slices pumpernickel bread, crusts removed
• Softened butter for spreading

Cooking Directions

In a large skillet, fry the bacon over moderate heat until crisp, drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside.

In a bowl, mash the avocado with a wooden spoon until lumpy, add the bacon, tomato, scallions, coriander, jalapeño chile pepper, lime juice, and salt and pepper, and mix until well blended.

Lightly butter the bread slices, spread the guacamole equally on the slices, and cut into thirds.

Makes 36 Canapés

Recipe Courtesy of James Villas, author of The Bacon Cookbook

Serving Ideas and Tips

• Traditionally, guacamole is prepared in a three-legged stone mortar (molcajete) and served with tortillas or corn chips, but it’s also very good when spread on thin, buttered pumpernickel slices as a canapé.
• Guacamole should always be more chunky than smooth.
• If you need to chill the mixture more than 20 minutes, add the avocado seed to the mixture to prevent darkening.

If you decide to celebrate International Bacon Day here are a couple more recipes featuring bacon I’ve posted at Food and Nutrition:

• For dessert~ Bacon and Peanut Butter Cookies
• Make it a brunch with an Overnight Bacon Casserole

Or visit the National Pork Board for even more bacon recipes.