Bacon Wrapped Thanksgiving ... Gobble it up and wash it down with some gravy!

You ever have that hankering for a good holiday meal but A. It's not the holidays and B. You don't really have the time to make all that fanciness? Problem solved with Bacon Wrapped Thanksgiving. And, as usual, you probably didn't think Thanksgiving dinner could get any better but, as usual, you never thought to wrap bacon around it, did you?

Now, I'm not one to slave over a hot stove cooking up a Thanksgiving storm in the middle of a gorgeous summer afternoon so instead, we take the semi-homemade route. In the frozen food section of the neighborhood grocery store I found these great, seasoned, "grilled", thick potato slices. Snag some of those, boxed cornbread stuffing mix, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, turkey gravy, and a package of thick-sliced bacon. I contemplated turkey bacon since it is "Thanksgiving" but I ended up going with regular ... and I'm not looking back! These were seriously so amazing that I wouldn't make them any other way!

I probably don't need to say this but I will. It's like the warning on the hair dryer, someone out there needs things spelled out to them so .. cook your stuffing. Take the skin off the chicken and pull it apart. Cook the potato slices.

Like the Bacon Wrapped Breakfast, I went ahead and took one slice of bacon and cut it in half. I'm sure you'll notice in the picture below that some look a little bigger. I did make the intial one with two whole slices and just wasn't feeling it. I prefer my balls to be bite-sized. In the picture above, the potato slice is on the bottom. Switch that up too. Having the slice on the top provides a nice flat spot so the ends of the bacon meet there. Flip it to place it on the cooking rack. Then the flat spot makes it easier to keep the bacon from curling or it rolling when cooking.

Oven that all up on 400 for about 30 minutes.

My previous ventures were broiled. I've determined, if you have the patience to wait 30 minutes, baking is considerably better. No burnt spots, no cold food on the inside, and a lot less smoke from the grease in your oven!

Take a look at those babies! Little balls of perfection! When you take them out of the oven, let them cool down for a little bit. All those wonderful bacon juices and stuffing flavors need to meld together. I know, you had to wait 30 minutes for it to cook and now I'm asking you to wait 5 more before eating them but trust me. It's worth it! These are so good that I wouldn't be surprised if my taste tester starts stalking me! Just kidding Mr. Tester .. now stop knocking on my door.

Before you start eating, don't forget the one thing that brings all of Thanksgiving together. Gravy! Make sure you're sitting down before you try these cause they'll knock your socks off .. or flops off if it's the summer time and you're wearing summer appropriate footwear. Cut, dunk, and enjoy! :)

Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots ... Cause I haven't tried wrapping mashed potatoes, yet!

Fourth of July is near and who wants to be that friend that doesn't show up with some sort of side dish? Ok, I'm usually that friend but if you're a better person than me, here's something awesome! Bacon wrapped tater tots! Bet you didn't see that one coming, you know, unless you read the title.

I'm sure you're thinking, "Yes Bacon Me, that does sound awesome but what do I do? Frozen tots? Cooked tots? Whole slices of bacon? Half slices of bacon? I'm overwhelmed!" Here's the great part of all of my wrapping ... I do the trial run, and the trial tasting, and you reap the benefits!

Let's play 'just the tip(s)' ;)

* Cook your tots half way

* Full slice of regular bacon

* Flavored tots are best, like those onion ones

*Toothpicks are helpful .. or so I would imagine had I thought of it beforehand

I wrapped half of these bad boys frozen and the other half pre-partially-cooked. If you like your tots a little soft, go frozen. I like mine crunchy ... hence the tip above.

Thick bacon is too hard to wrap around such a tiny tot but, if you take a whole slice of regular, you still get the full flavor. No recommendation on skimping with half a slice as it's just not enough bacon. I shouldn't have to explain why. If I do, you shouldn't be reading this blog.

Broil. Take out of oven. Throw in a crock pot on warm.

Ladies: Remove the "Everyone's beautiful. I love being loved" crappy wallpaper from your phone.

Men: Remove the "Here's the hot chick and/or cool car I'm never going to obtain" wallpaper from your phone.

When you show up to the firework shindig with these tots from heaven, people will be taking your phone to make sure you get their number!

Ok, they probably won't but remove the wallpaper anyway. Look at that, bacon goodness and social tips all rolled into one! Can I wrap that roll in bacon?