51 COOKING WITH PAULA DEEN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
SMOKY BACON HASSELBACK
POTATOES
Makes 6 servings
8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
6 medium russet potatoes (about
12 ounces each)
Garnish: chopped fresh parsley
- Preheat oven to 425°. Line a large
rimmed baking sheet with parchment
paper. - In a large skillet, cook bacon over
medium heat, stirring occasionally,
until crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove
bacon using a slotted spoon, and let
drain on paper towels, reserving ¼ cup
drippings in pan. - Add garlic to pan; cook until
fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from
heat; stir in salt, paprika, and pepper
until combined.
4. Cut ⅛- to ¼-inch-thick slits
crosswise into potatoes, being careful
not to cut all the way through.
(Potatoes should remain intact at least
¼ inch from bottom.) Place potatoes
on prepared pan. Brush with bacon
drippings mixture.
5. Bake until fork-tender, about 1 hour.
Sprinkle with bacon. Garnish with
parsley, if desired.
NO-BAKE EGGNOG
CHEESECAKE
Makes 1 (9-inch) cheesecake
1½ cups fi nely crushed gingersnap
cookies (about 30 cookies)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter,
melted
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
3 (8-ounce) packages cream
cheese, softened
1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup prepared eggnog
¾ cup sour cream
1½ teaspoons ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Garnish: grated fresh nutmeg
- Line bottom of a 9-inch springform
pan with parchment paper; spray with
cooking spray. - In a medium bowl, stir together
crushed gingersnaps, melted butter,
and granulated sugar. Firmly press
mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
Refrigerate while preparing fi lling. - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese,
confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla with a
mixer at medium speed until smooth
and creamy, about 2 minutes, stopping
to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggnog,
sour cream, nutmeg, and salt, and
beat until thickened, about 5 minutes,
stopping to scrape sides of bowl.
Spread mixture onto prepared crust. - Cover and freeze until set, at least
4 hours or overnight. Let stand at
room temperature for 30 minutes
before serving. Garnish with nutmeg,
if desired.