No Fail Bacon and Potato Rose

My mother used to make miniature dough roses when I was a child, using flour and Elmer's glue if I recall . She was an artist at heart. I decided to try my hand at making a bacon rose "for the bacon contest" using my mom's dough rose method. They turned out better than I had expected. These roses could be a unique thing to do this time of year with Easter, Mother's day, and summer just around the corner. I am not an artist, although I am creative. I rely on methods like these when I can't draw or shape things like roses. So if you are like I am, this instructable might interest you. Follow through and I will show you how to make a beautiful bacon rose potato to use as a garnish or side dish.

Ingredients and Utensils

Ingredients:

Large potato ( I think almost any kind will work.)
Seasonings fresh dried or both
Bacon
Butter
Food coloring (optional)
Cheese (optional)

Basic utensils and :

Microwave
Oven
Cookie sheet
Muffin pan
Cutting board
Cupcake baking cups
Tooth picks

Preparing the Potato

Wash the potato.
Slice into thin slices.
Cut out leaves.

Coloring

I wanted to add color to the rose so I used food coloring. I thought the leaves were pretty enough without coloring the bacon and the potato but I did both so you can make your rose the way you like it. I tried to color the potato's in colored water but they did not turn out very well, so instead I put a dot of food coloring on a plate and used my finger to color the bacon, leaves and potato. The next time I make these I will just color the leaves. I think the leaves will be enough color to compliment the rose.

Assembly

I tried boiling the colored potato in water to soften it. It did not work very well. I then tried to microwave it thinking my idea was not going to work and to my surprise it was perfect!

Microwave the potato slices for 1 minute in the microwave, if it is not soft enough to roll then add a few seconds and try again.
Arrange the potatoes like the picture.
Season with spices and cheese, garlic or whatever you like.

Roll

Roll the potato's like the picture.
Secure with toothpicks.
Slightly pull the petals to shape the rose.
Place the rose in a baking cup.
Then put it in a muffin pan.

Bake

Bake at 350 Degrees F for about 20 minutes.
Check to see how the rose is forming and adjust as needed.
Estimate how much longer to bake and bake until done, usually 25- 30 minutes.
Top with butter or cheese optional.
Place the leaves on the cookie sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes, watching closely as not to burn.

Add Leaves

Remove the baking cup and place the potato in a new baking cup and remove the tooth picks if you can, otherwise leave them there but be sure to tell your guest to be careful, optional and serve on a plate.
Arrange the baked leaves around the rose.
Season how ever you like and serve.

Sunshiine's Final Thoughts

The contests challenges us to think outside the box. I will be making these different ways using the purple and gold potato's! I think they would be very pretty! I am not sure how the smaller potato's will work though. I think they would taste good with sweet potato and a maple syrup! I enjoy playing with food to create something that is pretty on a plate. It is my way of being artistic like my mother. She painted with oils and I play with food!

I wish to thank instructables, our sponsors, authors, and readers for making this a great place to share! thanks for stopping by and do have a scrumptious day!

sunshiine