Bourbon & Bacon Onion Jam

January 9, 2017 Greg Appetizers, Bacon, Canning, Castiron, Pork, Recently Added, Sauces, Video Recipes 0
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This is exactly what happens to me every time I am bored and want to try something new.  It started on New Years Eve.  I was planning my appetizers for the evening’s get together with our friends.  Of course I always over do it just a tad, but hey, who ever complains?

I had went to the market to get some bacon for a dip I was doing and saw that they had a 5 pound package marked down to a really low price.  How could I pass that up?  I mean Bacon?  Sale?  Bacon?  Heck, I would have probably grabbed it without the discount.  I am not one to pass up bacon.  So back to my idea.  I had made a beautiful ricotta spread  and needed something to top it with.  I was thinking my home made pepper jelly but now I am thinking how about a bacon jam?   So I grabbed the bacon (or maybe two of them) and headed to produce.  I found some beautiful sweet onions that would blend perfectly with the bacon and brown sugar I had planned.  I finished up my shopping and headed to the truck.

As I was loading my groceries into the truck I saw the liquor store next door and realized I better grab some more bubbly for tonight.  Once inside I of course was checking out the different rums for my rum cakes and then the bourbons.  Hmmmm…..how about some bourbon in my bacon jam?  Now that should just push it over the top.  So I grabbed some of Kentucky’s finest and my bubbly (and two more bottles of rum) and headed out.

I have to tell you all something.  I have never made or had bacon jam.  I have seen it many times on Pinterest and thought how cool.  I should try that.  Well I should be smacked upside my head for not trying it before now.  It is pure heaven.  I made enough to fill a small jelly jar and also a half pint jar.  I am not kidding you.  I had to force myself to stop eating this stuff once it was done.  I looked down and saw half the jelly jar empty.  It is just that good.  So I am now going to share with you my version of  Bourbon & Bacon Onion Jam.  You will NOT be disappointed.   (BTW, I doubled the recipe)

 


Ingredients

  • 1 lb. thick cut bacon, sliced into ½-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 large sweet onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup bourbon
Instructions
  1. In a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until nice and crisp. Then move the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Pour most of the bacon grease into a heatproof container to save for other wonderful dishes but leave about 1 tbsp in the skillet.
  2. Add the onion,  and light brown sugar to the skillet.  Cook just until tender and caramelized (about 10 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook an additional minute. Return the bacon to the skillet, along with the maple syrup, chili powder, ginger, and black pepper, cooking about 2 minutes.
  3. Now add the balsamic vinegar and bourbon and let the mixture come to a boil and cook for an additional minute.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the mixture to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 15 to 20 minutes.  About room temperature.
  5. Put the mixture into a  food processor and pulse the mixture a few times until you’ve reached the desired consistency. I like to leave a few chunks of bacon and onion visible.
  6. Store in clean glass jars in the refrigerator for up to a week if it actually lasts that long.

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