Bacon, Cheddar and Jalapeño Madeleines | Friday Night Bites

This week I am thrilled to share my savory madeleine recipe with all of you!  I have long been obsessed with madeleines.  You tend to never think of these small shell shaped french sponge cakes as a sweet treat but not often turning them upside down to make a savory version.  I have long wanted to share a savory version.  Hubby loved them.

Bacon, cheddar and jalapeno are a classic pairing - think jalapeno poppers.  This is a fancy french version I guess.  It could go perfectly with a cold beer or a glass of chardonnay.  The adult beverage choices are endless I must say.  Along with enjoying good food is being happy.  Lately I have been reading more and more about "mindfulness".  Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, aware of where we are and what we're doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what's going on around us.

With work, family, stress, what's going on in the world and around us, we can all use a bit of mindfulness each and everyday. Here are a few simple strategies that can help fight stress, find gratitude and feel happier.

Hold the door for someone - The next time you are feeling blue, try paying it forward with a positive act.  A small act of kindness can increase your own happiness while reducing stress.

Thank your spouse for doing the dishes - Expressing gratitude to your partner can strengthen your relationship and boost your health.

Buy yourself a bouquet - Turns out looking at flowers can help combat negativity and depression while increasing workplace productivity and creativity.

Sniff lavender or orange scents - Either scent helps to reduce anxiety and boost your mood.

Dine by candlelight - Illuminating your meal with a flickering flame can not only make you feel more peaceful and romantic, it may also help you to reduce your waistline by consuming fewer calories.

Put on a red dress - Or tie, or shirt or shoes. You will feel more confident and gain a slight energy boost.

Chew some gum - Studies show that gum chewers have lower levels of anxiety. It can help to increase alertness and attention levels.

Be grateful - Wake up each day and think about what you are grateful.  Before going to sleep, think about one thing that happened during the day that you are grateful for.

Having my food blog is a way for me to be mindful and express my creativity along with reducing stress from the week.  Let me know what techniques you use to be mindful!

BACON, CHEDDAR AND JALAPENO  MADELEINES  

Makes 18 madeleines

INGREDIENTS:

8 Tbs. (1 stick) butter, melted (reserve 2 Tbs. for brushing madeleine pan)

1 Cup Cake Flour

1 Medium Jalapeño , seeded and minced

6 Slices of crispy bacon, chopped fine

1/2  Cup White Cheddar Cheese, Grated and loosely packed

1 tsp. fleur de sel, plus more for sprinkling

4 eggs

1/4 tsp. Cream of tarter

2 Tbs. Sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Brush the molds of the two 12-well madeleine pans with 2 tablespoons of the butter and dust with flour.  Tap out excess.  If you have a non-stick madeleine pan, you can skip this step.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs on high speed until yellow, light and fluffy.  Add the cream of tarter and sugar and beat until the mixture forms ribbons - about 3 minutes.  Remove bowl from electric mixer.  Use a rubber spatula, very gently fold in the flour and salt.  Next fold in the remaining 6 tablespoons of cooled melted butter.  Gently fold in the cheese, Jalapeño and bacon.

Spoon the batter into the prepared molds so the batter is even with the rims.  Bake until the madeleines spring back when pressed lightly - about 15 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with a touch of fleur de sel.  Makes 18 madeleines.