To spice things up on Wednesdays between “Waiting On” posts and reviews, I am going to share ”Recipe and a Book Recommendation.” Today I am sharing Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews. Enjoy and let me know if you would like them.. Enjoy!
Recipes to delight your palate and books to feed your mind
Below is a recipe that I prepared for my daughter’s wedding as an appetizer and wow did guests go gaga over this. It was like a herd of zombies heading towards a platter of Brains! :snort: Since it’s football season, and indoor party weather these Bacon-wrapped smokies are easy to make and will keep your herd satisfied.
Bacon-wrapped Smokies
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (16 ounces) Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies®
1pkg. of thick sliced bacon
1 cup of packed brown sugar
toothpicks
large flat non-stick pan, or cookie sheet with sides, lined in foil and lightly coated in non-stick spray
preheat oven to 400*
The Bacon wrapped smokies recipe is really simple, and you can prep them for the oven the night before your party or game. Cut bacon into three pieces and wrap a section around each smokie. Secure with toothpick. (do not use colored toothpicks as the color will bleed) Lay them side by side in the pan leaving a little space between each. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over smokies once they are all wrapped and ready. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. I like to make them just before serving. Bake at 400*for approximately 15 to 20 mins. The bacon should be golden and the brown sugar melted. Carefully remove from pan and place on serving tray. *remember to set aside a few for yourself* Place on table and step back quickly before herd attacks. This recipe will make about 22 servings if each guest has two..I recommend doubling it for that many guests so brawls don’t break out…it involves bacon after all.
Book Recommendation
Series: Hidden Legacy #1
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire… Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire. Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive. Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.
Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews is the first in her Hidden Legacy urban fantasy series. I will be sharing my review next week but wanted to feature it since it was brilliant.
Now here is where I fangirl.*cue teen girls squealing over band entering on stage* Burn For Me has everything I love in an urban fantasy from a unique, well constructed world to kick-ass characters. I consumed this in one breathless sitting. Imagine me with this idiotic smile plastered on my face. My heart is racing and occasionally I burst out into fits of laughter. Yep, it was complete book nirvana folks. Nevanda is my kind of girl. She tackles thing head on, doesn’t cry when things go wrong and has a strong moral compass. The characters are likable and original. They each have their own unique voices and made me downright giddy. Even the secondary characters like Grandma and a geek named Bug are brilliantly portrayed. Mad Rogan is our reluctant hero. He seems like a brute, but as Andrews peels back his layers I just melted. From the banter to the chemistry Burn for Me delivered. Not since Reyes and Charley have I been this excited about two characters. Squee! *takes a breath* The case for this first story is fantastic, with action, danger and a little humor that I am finding is Andrews gift. The romance is remarkably clean, has a nice slow-build, and delicious banter giving it unlimited possibilities. Ooh baby I cannot wait for those possibilities. So in case you haven’t figured it out..I friggin’ loved Burn For Me.
My recommendation. Buy Burn For Me and make the bacon wrapped smokies for your family. While they are in a bacon induced bliss, lose yourself in Burn For Me.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Judith
Fun review! Gotta get the book now. I love her Kate Daniels series. Time to try this one. And great recipe. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
I am listening to Kate Daniels on audio and loving it! Thanks Judith
Terri M.
OKay, I’m bookmarking this. I’m making those for a Thanksgiving appetizer. Yummy!
kimbacaffeinate
I am making them for an upcoming baby shower.
Brooke B.
I’m total fangirl over this book, too. I loved every word of it!! The bacon smokies look yummy. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I am so glad you loved it too! I ordered the audio version as well since I loved it so much.
Lily B
Gah I love her writing and so very excited for this series, it does look swoon worthy.
kimbacaffeinate
They write such good stuff. I just got the second Kate Daniels audio and cannot wait to listen
Katherine
All I had to see was bacon wrapped and I was in! I love adding the brown sugar to counteract the saltiness of the smokies and bacon.
The book looks good as well and I’ve heard people rave about this author. With this review I’ll definitely have to add it to my TBR. Glad you enjoyed it! Book heaven is so nice on the rare occasions when we get there!
kimbacaffeinate
There is something about salty and sweet combos..lol
Cyn
Ooooh my! Bacon wrapped smokies sound fantastic! I love that they’re tiny smokies (I was expecting the big ones, haha). And the new series sounds really awesome too! Thanks for sharing the recipe and book!
kimbacaffeinate
These are perfect snacks for a crowd Cyn 🙂
Jess
I want the bacon wrapped smokies right now! They look so yummy. 🙂 Looks and sounds like a fun pairing.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Jess. They really are wonderful for parties or maybe a romantic night watching movies.
A Belle's Tales
Ooooo, Kimba! Pardon us while we wipe the drool from our chins!! Those look delicious!! Mckenzie is the “baconator” of the family, but we can all enjoy that fabulous recipe! Thank you for sharing! It was only recently that we learned of Ilona Andrews, and I’m very excited to give their work a read! Loved the fangirling!! Great review and recipe!!
~Michele and Mckenzie
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I hope you read this Michelle. McKenzie could totally make these and wow her friends
Berls
Oh the smokies look yummy and easy enough that even this non-cook could probably pull them off.
As for the book – gah! I haven’t made it to Illona Andrews yet – and I own some of her other books, but book nirvana, particularly in an urban fantasy, certainly calls to me! Yep, totally adding to my dying-to-read list!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, you could be Queen of the kitchen with these..peeps will adore you. You so need to get this book and start!
aurian
Hi Kimba, am I correct to think that Smokies are just little wiener sausages? We call them party knacks here in Holland. I understand the sausage and the bacon, but why the sugar? I do want to try it out.
And of course I want the Ilona Andrews book! So far I love everything they have written.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, they are basically the same. The brown sugar caramelizes them and oh yum
Angela Adams
I’m definitely sharing this recipe! Yum!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Angela 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh! I love the sound of the recipe and the book. I can totally see people heading to that place like zombies. Ever see people glaze over when bacon is mentioned? LOL
I swear this is the second glowing review for this book. I NEEDS it now. Yes, needs! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..I have witnessed that especially my son. Oh yes this book is a must!
Quinn's Book Nook
This is a fun feature!!!! I’m not much of a bacon fan (okay, actually I really dislike bacon) but I love this idea. I can’t wait to see what other recipes you share we us.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Quinn, I try to do this at least once a month. You can find more under events & features menu at top of blog 🙂
Amber Elise
OMG next time I have people over, I’m totally making that recipe. Looks scrumptious! Also I like the sound of Nevanda, sign me up! 🙂
Also MIND BLOWN. I did not know that Ilona Andrews was a writing team!
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
kimbacaffeinate
Isn’t that cool they write as a team. Amber if you make these your friends will love you.
Heidi
Yeah! I can’t wait to read this one, I have my copy ready to go after Wicked wraps and it is going to be my first Ilona Andrews book, I know can you believe that?
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo! I am so excited you are popping your Andrews cherry 🙂
Christy
I don’t know if I could eat those. I love bacon, but sausage products … I usually can’t. But yeah, these would be perfect for gatherings. Omg, and yes, Burn for Me was SOOO GOOD!
kimbacaffeinate
Try this with scallops instead..same thing and OMG..nom!
Stormi
What is this tempting me with bacon wrapped smokies!!!! 🙂 I love them things, of course I had to click on here and see your recipe..hehehe. I need to read that author also as I haven’t tried her yet. 🙂 Maybe I should start with this one..lol. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This is an excellent book to start with since it is the first in a new series Stormi!
Candace
I’m vegetarian so those bacon wrapped smokies kind of make me feel a bit sick to the stomach. I guess that’s good since they definitely aren’t healthy. I haven’t ate meat in years now, but I do remember the appeal of bacon so I’m sure I would have loved these back in the day!
As for the book- I wish the cover wasn’t so PNR looking but the story sounds wonderful!
kimbacaffeinate
Nothing in quantity is ever good for you..but once in a while is ok. My friend is vegan and she makes some great dishes without meat. I am a foodie and love food from all of the food groups. I just try to balance it.
Sarah
I LOVE to cook (except when forced to) and this recipe looks AMAZING. Seriously, I want to lick the computer screen… but I won’t, promise. I will definitely be making these. I *so* want to read this book, absolutely obsessed with Ilona Andrews – what an awesome writing team. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I just had an image of you linking the post..:snort: Love Andrews and agree Sarah!
Sarah
I wanted to so bad… but my family loves to put pictures of me doing stupid stuff on the interweb, so I best not. But know that I was drooling! And craving bacon wrapped weenies.
kindlemom1
I have seen some great things about the new Andrews book, makes me excited to read it!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo you must Ali 🙂
Megan McDade
Reading this is making me super hungry! And great pick for the book you sound like you really enjoyed it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Megan. I have been thinking about bacon all day..LOL
Nick
I don’t like bacon (I know, I know! I’m a weirdo and a picky eater!), but I’ve made these wrapped with puff pastries, so they are basically pigs in a blanket, but they are great! 😀
Now, I’m hungry!! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
:blinks: but its BACON. LOL It is all good Nick. Pigs in a blanket dunked in spicy mustard..nom.
Lupdilup
I can’t wait kimba 🙂 I’m getting more excited by the minute…LOL I better keep myself in check before my expectations get impossible to be met…LOL
I love bacon with everything!!!
Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, don’t ruin it for yourself. I own the paperback but fully intend to get the audio as well, since I loved it.
Bea
Oh, that recipe sounds delicious and so easy!
kimbacaffeinate
Nom, it is Bea.
Melanie Simmons
I have this book preordered on audio. Also, I’ll eat almost anything that is wrapped in bacon. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am hoping to snag an audio copy in addition to my paperback Melanie.
Celine
What a lovely recipe! It sounds delicious, and so easy to make. Though I don’t know if I’d be willing to share them, ha 😀
I really like the Kate Daniels books by Ilona Andrews, so I’m glad to hear Burn for Me is great as well! Can’t wait to read more of their books (:
kimbacaffeinate
I just started Kate Daniels and while book one was middle of the road for me, I am excited to dive back in. Yeah, you could eat a platter of these..so good.
Finley Jayne
I’ve made the bacon smokies before and they’re soooo good! Think I need to make these tonight now, lol. And I’m so excited to read Burn For Me! I’m already on the library’s wait list for it, even though it’s not out yet 🙂 I should get one of the first copies the library gets in 😀
kimbacaffeinate
They are yummy. Ooo I hope the library gets it soon Finley..loved it.
Jennifer Bielman
I’ve totally made the bacon wrapped smokies, sooooo good. OMG, I am so excited for Burn for Me. Ilona is just always spot on. They can do no wrong in the writing world.
kimbacaffeinate
I loved it hard jennifer 🙂
blodeuedd
I want burn, and I need to have it in print 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Right. I have a print copy but I think I want it in audio too 🙂
Melliane
I’m glad you you enjoyed this book that much, I’m impatient to read your review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melliane 🙂