Bacon is the Duct Tape of the Kitchen

I read that quote in a breakfast joint the other day and boy does it resonate with me. I mean bacon works on anything from donuts to Brussel sprouts! But two other ingredients have become foundational in our house as well: Steak 'n Shake Seasoning and Chick-fil-A sauce (or it's cousin, the Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce). So when I was a little bit desperate for a quick dinner idea a few months ago, they all came to the rescue.

We were feverishly working to get our lodge in Blue Ridge ready for guests. One night I didn’t have a meal plan so I grabbed what we had left in the house: a bag of frozen potato wedges, ground beef, cheddar cheese, onion, bacon, and several packets of Chick-fil-A’s Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce. Any one of these ingredients has merit. I mean just that sauce could make an asphalt shingle taste good. But all these combined? Comfort food in the making! So without further ado, I give you Blue Ridge Hash. For the concise version, scroll to the bottom.

Blue Ridge Hash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together:

• 3 lbs  potatoes sliced into wedges or 1  bag frozen potatoes 
• 2-4 T olive oil
• ½-1 t Steak and Shake Seasoning or Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

Bake for 45 minutes or until done. (Follow instructions on package for frozen potatoes.)

In the meantime, slice:

• 1 sweet onion
• 1 green pepper
• 6 pieces bacon

Sauté bacon for 2-3 minutes then add onions and peppers. Cook until onions are transparent and bacon is cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.

In the same pan, brown:

• 2 lbs ground beef

Add:

• seasoning to taste

While the meat is browning, grate:

• 4-6 oz sharp cheddar cheese

When potatoes are finished, layer meat, then vegetables, followed by cheese. Return pan to oven to melt the cheese.

To serve, drizzle over hash:

• Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce

Serve with a side of sliced tomatoes.

This was supposed to serve five of us with lots of leftovers but we wiped it out in one sitting. Adding more potatoes would have helped it go further. Then again, maybe we just should have had more self-control. 

Make this your own by adding or subtracting veggies or exchanging the ground beef for chicken thighs. Just don't forget where the magic comes from: the bacon, seasoning, and sauce! Enjoy!

Blue Ridge Hash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together:

• 3 lbs  potatoes sliced into wedges  or 1  bag frozen potatoes 
• 2-4 T olive oil
• ½-1 t Steak and Shake Seasoning   or Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

Bake for 45 minutes or until done. (Follow instructions on package for frozen potatoes.)

In the meantime, slice:

• 1 sweet onion
• 1 green pepper
• 6 pieces bacon

Sauté bacon for 2-3 minutes then add onions and peppers. Cook until onions are transparent and bacon is cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.

In the same pan, brown:

• 2 lbs ground beef

Add:

• seasoning to taste

While the meat is browning, grate:

• 4-6 oz sharp cheddar cheese

When potatoes are finished, layer meat, then vegetables, followed by cheese. Return pan to oven to melt the cheese.

To serve, drizzle over hash:

• Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce