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.

Step 1: 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

Step 2: Preparing the Potato

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

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: 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.

Step 5: 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.

Step 6: 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.

Step 7: 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.

Step 8: 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