Local Western Bacon Sliders with Fried Cheese Curds

02/02/2021
- Mac Archibald

 

These are not healthy, but boy, are they a tasty time! Join me in my self-indulgent journey with these Local Western Bacon Sliders with fried cheese curds. 

 

Ingredients!

SLIDERS:

  • 6 Sliders from Triple S Farms

  • Seasoning Salt and Pepper

  • 6 toasted brioche buns from Central Illinois Bakehouse

  • 1 package of Marcoot Jersey White Cheddar

  • 6 slices of Triple S Farms bacon, cooked

  • Boothill’s BBQ sauce

CHEESE CURDS:

  • Ludwig Farms plain cheese curds

  • oil for frying (I used canola)

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup cornstarch

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 egg, beaten

FOR THE SLIDERS: 

Since it's winter, there are not a lot of options to grill. I used the oven instead. For the sliders, preheat your oven to 350. You can simultaneously cook the bacon as well. Cook the sliders for around 7 minutes, flip, cook for another 5, add cheese slices, or grate cheese on top. Cook until the cheese has melted (around 3-4 more minutes). 

Cook the bacon for 10 minutes, flip and cook for another 5. 

FOR THE CHEESE CURDS: 

  • In a large heavy-bottomed pot, pour oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil work great) so that it is 2 inches deep. Turn the heat onto medium-high, but do not go far; the oil will boil quickly, and we do not want that. 
  • Make your batter for frying. In a medium bowl add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. In another small bowl, whisk water and egg. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.

  • Test if your oil is ready by dropping a bit of batter into the pot. If it immediately starts to bubble and fry, you're good to go. If you have a cooking thermometer, the oil should be about 350 degrees.

  • Dip your cheese curds into the batter and then carefully drop them into the hot oil. I'd recommend cooking around 6 at a time so they don't stick together. Stir them around a bit, and when they have just turned golden brown, remove them from the oil with a metal slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel. Repeat with remaining cheese curds.

  • Some of your cheese curds may ooze out a little bit. Do not worry, they are still very tasty. 

  • Assemble burgers with BBQ sauce, bacon, and fried cheese curds.

NOM.

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