For those of you who are regular followers of my blog, you know I’m a huge fan of Dorie Greenspan. I’ve always liked her recipes and I especially like the way they can be adapted – although they don’t ever need to be, to ingredients I happen to have on hand. This is inspired by one of her recipes and I’ve adapted it to accommodate ingredients I happen to have in my pantry. This is my Spicy Cheese, Bacon, Jalapeno, Prune and Basil loaf (a take on one of her recipes – Goat Cheese and Fig Quick Bread).

Again, I’m always inspired by recipes that can be adapted. For me, there are a few components that I look for before I even think of adapting a recipe. It must read well! I should be able to taste the components of the recipe and it must come from someone who has earned the reputation in the industry for being a great Chef. Not necessarily the “trendy” Chefs, but tried and true. I’ve made or can make their recipes without spending the day in the kitchen wondering if I’m using the ingredients correctly. I leave that kind of creativity to those that have that kind of creativity. I prefer all kinds of cooking, but my love is for simple no fuss recipes that use up pantry items, partly because the act of replenishing – especially these days, is so satisfying.

My changes to this recipe range from the type of cheese I used, to the flavorings and add-ins. Again, inspired by a classic recipe which after shopping next week, I will try the original recipe because I will have bought the ingredients. I also made the add-ins more fun – fitting more to a Superbowl weekend theme. Think nachos, jalapenos, bacon (I should have led with this one). I’m not a sports enthusiast, I go to baseball games for the fast food, drinks and atmosphere – Go Jays, Raptors, Leafs, TFC, Argos etc! So this is a great change up to your regular Superbowl food and I have listed a few ways to serve it in the “suggestions” section below.

We have been warned to stay at home this weekend to avoid making Superbowl a super-spreader event. I look at it this way – less people around me, the more I get to eat. So please stay home and watch the show. Wear a mask, wash your hands, socialize responsibly (stay at home this weekend with your bubble), eat all the food you want. You finally get the Monday after Superbowl off to recoup (extra breaks, more sleeping time – no commute remember). As always – enjoy!

Ingredients
4 oz habanero cheddar – or whatever cheese you have in the house (1/2 – 3/4 cup cheese) 
10 – 12 dried prunes or apricots, chopped – or 3/4 cup craisins, currants, dried blueberries, seeds, nuts
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 
1 large hot jalapeno, or be really daring and do the habanero thing
Optional – up to an additional ½ cup of any other add-ins you like
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 large eggs, at room temperature
⅓ cup whole milk
⅓ cup olive oil
1 tbsp honey
6 – 8 basil leaves, chiffonade, chopped, torn – your call
Zest of 1 lemon or orange

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350f – spray and line with parchment a 9” square pan – set aside
Fry the bacon slices until crisp – drain and crumble (reserve the bacon extract – fat)
Grate or crumble the cheese – set aside (if using any type of soft cheese, freeze it for about 20 minutes before cutting into cubes or slices – you’re welcome)
To the cheese bowl, add the chopped prunes, cheese, bacon, jalapeno (plus any other add-ins) – mix
In a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper – whisk, set aside
In a microwave safe 2 cup measuring cup or bowl, add the milk and honey – heat 30 seconds to bring to room temperature – warm slightly – stir to combine
Add the oil and eggs to the milk – whisk together
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir to mix
Just before the flour is completely mixed, add the cheese/bacon mixture and stir to spread the add-ins evenly throughout the batter
Empty the contents into the prepared pan and flatten the top
Sprinkle the basil and zest – lightly press into the batter with your finger or the back of a spoon
Sprinkle some sea salt over the top
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean
Gently paint the surface of the loaf with an additional 1 – 2 tbsp olive oil and some of the bacon extract – when hot out of the oven
Let cool and slice into finger size pieces or bigger
Enjoy at half time when you are watch the show (well that’s the part I watch)

Suggestions and/or Changes
The original calls for goat cheese, figs and fresh herbs – rosemary, thyme, parsley – try with this combo
Any type of cheese will be delicious – but real cheese please, if it is in a tube – it’s NOT cheese
Change up the flavoring by sprinkling on top some Middle Eastern spices – sumac, za ‘atar, fresh mint leaves
Spread the cut pieces of the cooked loaf with additional cheese, bacon and jalapeno – salsa if you like, toast under the broiler to melt the cheese and serve – but you will need a fork and for goodness sakes a plate and napkins
This is a savory loaf so really the combination of sweet fruit and savory bacon and peppers makes it the only snack you really need on game day
Make an open faced sandwich using smoked turkey, honey ham, spicy soppressata, prosciutto etc