Pig Candy for Cocktails, Soup, Salad or a Bloody Mary

Bacon (strips of thick hickory or Applewood smoked)

Brown Sugar (enough to coat strips of bacon)

Dash chipotle powder

Dash cayenne pepper

Coat uncooked bacon in some brown sugar, add seasonings to taste. Place on wooden skewers which have been soaked in water. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 – 30 minutes or until crisp. If you have the time, they can be cooked on the grill for extra smoky flavor. Serve as a swizzle stick for a bloody mary or atop a bowl of roasted tomato or cheddar potato soup. They make a popular appetizer with cocktails – just stand them in a glass or vase or pass on a tray. Who could resist if a skewer were presented with a salad of mixed greens, crumbled eggs, homemade croutons, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing?

Bloody Mary

The perfect mid morning elixir, especially during the holidays. Perfect for a brunch.

4 ounces clamato juice and tomato juice (equal portions)

3 ounces vodka

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

2 drops Tabasco® sauce

1/8 tsp horseradish

Shake all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a highball glass over crushed ice. Rim the glass with fresh ground pepper and salt. Garnish with a celery stalk, pickled okra, dilly green beans, or a skewer of bacon. For fun, serve in the Tabasco stemmed Bloody Mary glass! Your drink is only as good as the ingredients, so get a good vodka and not watered down tomato juice or bottled lemon juice - if you want and deserve the best.