Caramelized Nectarines with Bacon

Summer is a time where magical things happen. It’s warm, the sun actually shines, people leave the couch and actually do things, and I’m convinced it’s socially acceptable to partake in what I call “grillin ‘n’ chillin” as often as desired. These things are cool, but there are a few things I consider to be even more magical: summer fruits and bacon (duh).

I literally live for peaches and nectarines. I am so obsessed I even bought them before they were totally in season to make this recipe because I just couldn’t wait any longer. Stone fruits are so incredible because when you sprinkle a little sugar on top and thrown them in the oven (or on the grill!) they completely transform into a high-quality dessert in less than fifteen minutes.

And while I was on the caramelized peaches kick, I figured it couldn’t hurt to throw in some caramelized bacon, too. Predictable.

Level: Easy

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients:
2 slices bacon
2 nectarines or peaches
approximately 1/4 cup sugar (I used coconut sugar)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Slice bacon in half length-wise, so the strip is half as wide. Then dice from there. This is the ideal dice for this dish.
3. In a medium frying pan over medium-low heat, add diced bacon and sauté for about 4 minutes, or until nearly cooked but not cooked all the way.
4. Remove bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the grease. Pat as dry as possible.

   

5. Once dried from the grease, chop bacon into very small pieces. Set aside.
6. Slice your nectarines or peaches in half and remove the pit.
7. Place in a medium-sized oven-safe pan or dish.
8. Sprinkle sugar onto nectarines/peaches.

   

9. Put in oven for one minute.
10. Take pan out of the oven, sprinkle bacon onto each nectarine, and top with more sugar (this is the caramelized bacon part!!)

    

11. Place back in oven for about 5 minutes or until sugar is melted and bacon is fully cooked.
12. Top with ice cream and cry tears of joy.