National Bacon Day 2013 is today, and we have some great food recipes to celebrate the holiday.  National Bacon Day 2013 gives you the opportunity to have bacon at every meal - from breakfast, lunch to dessert! 

Bacon Egg and Cheese Bagel Recipe

No National Bacon Day 2013 is complete without a National Bacon Day 2013 bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwich.  Food recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living.

Ingredients

• 1 everything bagel, or other bagel of choice
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for buttering bagel
• 2 large eggs
• 1 thin slice cheese, such as American or cheddar
• 2 to 3 slices cooked bacon
• Hot sauce and/or ketchup, for serving

Directions

1.     Step 1

Slice bagel in half. Butter cut sides of each half and toast in a toaster oven or on a griddle (if using a pop-up toaster, butter halves after they are toasted).

2.    Step 2

Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron or nonstick skillet. Add butter to skillet. Carefully crack both eggs into skillet. When whites begin to set, immediately puncture yolks.

3.    Step 3

Top one egg with cheese and bacon. Place remaining egg, yolk-side down on top of bacon (like an egg-on-egg sandwich). Transfer eggs onto one toasted half of the bagel; top with remaining bagel half and lightly press together. Serve immediately with hot sauce or ketchup, or wrap halfway in parchment paper or aluminum foil for a portable breakfast.

Bacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwich

Bacon isn't just a breakfast food on National Bacon Day 2013.  Why not make bacon a lunch food as well?  Tomatoes are ripe just in time for National Bacon Day 2013. Food recipe Courtesy of Food.com.

Ingredients:

1/2 lb bacon (approx. 12 slices)
8 slices white bread
8 leaves iceberg lettuce, fresh and full
8 slices of ripened tomatoes
8 tablespoons Hellmann's mayonnaise

Directions:

1
Cook bacon until crispy, then drain on paper towels.
2
Toast the 8 slices of bread.
3
Spread 1 tablespoon mayo on each slice of toasted bread. (More or less, to taste).
4
Add 1 slice of lettuce to 4 pieces of mayo-spreaded toast.
5
Add 2 slices of tomato on top of lettuce.
6
Arrange 3 slices of bacon evenly on top of tomato. (Break bacon slices in half to fit, if needed.).
7
Add 1 slice of lettuce on top of bacon.
8
Put the remaining 4 pieces of mayo-spreaded toast on top to finish the sandwiches.
9
Enjoy!

Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Dates

National Bacon Day 2013 is a great time to throw a party and make some bacon hors d'ouevres food recipes.  Food recipe Courtesy of Simple Girl at Home.

Ingredients

• 12 slices of bacon
• 24 large Medjool dates
• 3 ounces of Chevre (goat cheese)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup Pecans, chopped
• 24 wooden toothpicks
• Either 1/4 cup soy sauce plus 1/2 cup loosely packed brown sugar or 1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Slit the dates lengthwise along one side using a sharp paring knife.  Gently remove the pits and discard.

Combine the cheese, chopped nuts and honey.  Put 1 tsp of filling into the cavity of each date.

Cut the bacon slices in half, crosswise.  Place bacon on two sheet pans and bake for about 5 minutes until no longer sticks to the pan and releases easily.  cook until the edges just begin to brown and the slices are about half done.  Remove the bacon from the pan while still limp.  Drain on paper towels.

Wrap one slice around each date.  Secure the bacon with a toothpick to keep in in place.

Mix the soy sauce and brown sugar in a small bowl.  Place the wrapped dates on the rack of a broiling pan.  Using a pastry brush, lightly swab the wrapped dates with the soy sauce mixture.

**Note:  I used maple syrup instead of the soy sauce mixture, but they  both taste great!

Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.  Turn the appetizers and brush the soy mixture on the other side.  Continue to bake until your bacon wrapped date appetizers are golden brown and crispy, about 10 minutes more.

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bacon is a savory food, but it works well in any context for National Bacon Day 2013.  Dessert bacon is a big trend for National Bacon Day 2013.  Food recipe courtesy of Tablespoon.

Ingredients

• For the candied bacon:
• 8 slices center cut thick bacon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• For the cookies:
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place bacon in a single layer on a foil lined sheet.
3. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of bacon strips. Bake for 18-25 minutes or until crispy, making sure to turn bacon over after 10 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack for cooling. Once bacon has cooled chop it finely.
5. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
6. Sift flour and baking soda.
7. In a medium bowl, cream butter with the white and brown sugar.
8. Add vanilla, egg, and egg yolk to the bowl and beat until light and creamy.
9. Add flour mixture and mix well.
10. Add diced candied bacon and chocolate chips and stir until just combined.
11. Place golf ball sized balls of dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cookies sit on the pan for a couple of minutes before placing on a wire rack.

Rachael Ray's Late Night Bacon

Bacon is also great as a plain dish for National Bacon Day 2013.  This is Rachael Ray's famous Late Night Bacon food recipe.  Food recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray, Food Network.

Ingredients

8 slices bacon

Directions

Place 2 sheets of paper towel on a microwave safe plate, lay the bacon out on the paper towel not overlapping the slices. Place 2 more sheets of paper towel on top. Place in the microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes.

Watch National Bacon Day 2013 Food Recipe Video Here: