(Family Features) When planning a get-together with friends, finding the right playlist and inviting your favorite people over is easy, but planning the perfect menu can be daunting.

Whether it’s game day, the season premiere of your favorite show or just a casual night in, if you’re craving something satisfying and delicious, one simple solution is Mrs. T’s Pierogies.

You can easily add a creative twist to your menu by serving up bite-sized Bacon-Wrapped Pierogies, featuring Classic Cheddar Mini Pierogies, which are perfect for sharing. Or try adding some flare to your nachos by substituting chips with pierogies. Available in 15 tasty varieties, these potato-filled pasta shells are loaded with flavor and are the perfect canvas for all your favorite ingredients and spices.

Find more recipes to enjoy with your friends at MrsTsPierogies.com.

Bacon-Wrapped Pierogies

Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 32 minutes
Servings: 4

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 box (12.84 ounces) Mrs. T’s Mini Cheddar Seasoned with Bacon or Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies
• 14 slices bacon, sliced in half
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional)

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Defrost pierogies by placing in boiling water for 2 minutes or refrigerating overnight.
3. Wrap half slices of bacon around each pierogy. Arrange pierogies on baking sheet. Sprinkle with brown sugar, if desired. Bake 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown, turning once.
4. Optional: Saute wrapped pierogies 8 minutes, or grill 5 minutes until browned.

Pierogy Nachos

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Nachos:

• 2 boxes (16 ounces each) Mrs. T’s Classic Cheddar Pierogies
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Pico de Gallo (recipe below)
• guacamole (recipe below)
• sour cream (optional)
• pickled jalapeno peppers (optional)

Pico de Gallo:

• 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 small, diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Guacamole:

• 1 small, ripe avocado
• 1 seeded and minced jalapeno
• 1/2 Roma tomato, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

1. To make nachos: Saute pierogies in butter over medium heat, approximately 8 minutes on both sides.
2. Preheat broiler. On large, oven-safe plate, arrange hot pierogies; sprinkle with black beans and Monterey Jack cheese.
3. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with Pico de Gallo and guacamole, and sour cream or pickled jalapeno peppers, if desired.
4. To make Pico de Gallo: Mix together all ingredients and set aside. Serve on top of pierogies.
5. To make guacamole: Cut avocado in half and remove seed. With spoon, scoop out inside; place in bowl.
6. Mash avocado with fork until slightly chunky.
7. Mix in jalapeno, tomato, green onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Serve on top of pierogies.

Source: Mrs. T's Pierogies

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Add a delicious twist to entertaining

(Family Features) The holidays are the ultimate time for connecting with friends and family, so treat them to something special this year with your own mouthwatering take on a holiday feast. Add a new and delicious twist to entertaining this season with a festive bacon bar.

Mix things up with simple decorating tips and these easy-to-make – and even easier to eat – bacon recipes from Smithfield that can help create the perfect setting for your next holiday gathering. Whether drizzled with caramel and sea salt, twisted with puff pastry or baked with bourbon and maple syrup, your guests can enjoy bacon in a variety of ways. The classic cut and versatility of Smithfield Hometown Original Bacon is ideal for dishes you can include in your bacon bar like bacon cheddar biscuits, savory bacon jam and flavorful bacon salt. You can also incorporate different bacon flavors; with more than 10 different Smithfield varieties to choose from, there truly is something for everyone.

Complete your holiday spread with printed labels that festively identify the variety of bacon flavors, unique recipes and side dishes on display. Simply print templates onto thick card stock and cut to your desired shape. Use twine or holiday ribbon to tie the labels onto mason jars, bowls or baskets, or use a small clothespin to clip the labels onto your bacon creations. Garnish your display with garland, red berries and pine cones for added holiday cheer.

Visit Smithfield.com/BaconBar for printable labels, more decor ideas and recipe inspiration to give your own bacon bar a personal touch.

Crispy Bacon Twists with Gouda and Apricot Preserves

Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 15

• Nonstick spray
• flour, for dusting
• 1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup (12 ounces) apricot preserves
• 2 cups (about 7 ounces) Gouda cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 2 pounds (about 25-30 slices) Smithfield Hometown Original Bacon

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line two rimmed baking pans with foil, set baking racks in pans and lightly spray racks with nonstick spray.
2. On lightly floured surface, roll out one puff pastry sheet to roughly 8-by-12 inches. Brush top with egg and thinly spread 1/2 cup preserves over dough. Sprinkle evenly with 1 cup shredded cheese and 1 tablespoon rosemary, lightly pressing cheese mixture into dough. Fold short end of dough over to enclose cheese mixture and lightly roll to seal. Cut into 15 1/2-inch strips. Repeat with remaining puff pastry and ingredients.
3. Lay one slice bacon diagonally. Grab one strip of prepared dough by ends and place one end of dough strip horizontally at top end of bacon and roll bacon with dough downward, stretching dough strip while rolling. Place spiral-wrapped bacon twist on prepared rack and repeat.
4. Bake twists 35-45 minutes, or until pastry is browned and bacon crisp, rotating pans as needed for even cooking.
5. Let cool 5 minutes and gently use spatula to remove twists from racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tip: For a different flavor, try smoked or aged Gouda or fresh thyme instead of rosemary.

Caramelized Bourbon Bacon

Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 12

• 2 packages (16 ounces each) Smithfield Thick Cut Bacon
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line two baking pans with parchment paper.
2. Remove bacon from package and space evenly on pans without overlapping slices.
   Place pans in oven and bake 15 minutes. Rotate pans halfway through baking time. Meanwhile, combine honey, bourbon and syrup.
3. Remove bacon from oven. Carefully drain grease from pans. Brush bacon with bourbon mixture. Return to oven and bake 3-5 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve.

Sea Salt Caramel Bacon

Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves: 12

• 2 packages (12 ounces each) Smithfield Thick Cut Bacon
• 4 tablespoons caramel topping
• 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line two baking pans with nonstick foil.
2. Remove bacon from package and space evenly on pans without overlapping slices.
3. Place pans in oven and bake 10 minutes. Rotate pans and continue baking until crisp, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Using tongs, place bacon slices on clean parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let cool slightly.
4. Heat caramel in microwave 10 seconds. Drizzle bacon with caramel. Sprinkle with sea salt. Return to oven and bake 2 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes. Using tongs, remove to cooling rack. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Bacon Cheddar Biscuits

Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 12

• 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup cooked Smithfield Hometown Original Bacon, diced
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon and extra for rolling, divided
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 3/4 cup milk

1. Heat oven to 450° F.
2. In small bowl, toss together cheese, green onions and bacon with 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Use pastry cutter or two forks to cut in butter.
3. Add milk and stir just enough to bring ingredients together. Gently fold in cheese mixture.
4. Turn dough onto floured surface and knead about 1 minute. Pat or roll out dough to 1/2- or 3/4-inch thickness. Cut into rounds with 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter.
5. Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Source: Smithfield

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Ingredients

• 4 ounces bacon, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 small leeks, trimmed and chopped
• 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 large carrot, diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups Wolfgang Puck Organic Free Range Chicken Broth
• 3 large Russet potatoes, cut into cubes (about 4 cups)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh chives

Preparation

1. Cook bacon in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from saucepan. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings. Add butter to saucepan and cook and stir until melted.
2. Add leeks, onion, carrot and garlic to saucepan and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Add flour and cook and stir for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in broth.
3. Add potatoes and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and the broth mixture is thickened.
4. Stir cream and cheese in saucepan and cook until cheese is melted. Season with black pepper. Crumble bacon. Sprinkle soup with bacon and chives before serving.

Preparation Time

35 minutes

Cook Time

40 minutes

Serves

Makes 6 servings

Source Wolfgang Puck Soup, Stock, Broth