The other day we had it on our grilled cheese sandwiches (pictured with the bacon jam) and my boys thought they had died and went to heaven! I just took two pieces of bread and placed two slices of cheese with some of this bacon jam spread in between. Then, the other day, we had eggs, toast and fruit for breakfast. My boys spread some of this jam on their toast and LOVED it!
Are you ready to see how to make this amazing “Condiment of the gods?” First, let’s gather our supplies.
Ingredients:
- 20 oz thick sliced peppered bacon cut into pieces (mine are about 3/4″)
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 shallot minced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 coffee (not instant, brewed coffee)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
- 1/2 tsp ground chipotle pepper (or an additional 1/2 tsp of cayenne)
Okay, have you gathered all your ingredients? Now let’s get cooking.
Directions:
In a ducth oven, cook your bacon over medium high heat until crispy, stirring occasionally. This will take approximately 15 – 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon. remove the bacon and drain on a paper towel. Leave the rendered fat in your pot.
Add the onions, shallots, and garlic to the reserved bacon fat and cook over medium high heat until softened.
Return the cooked bacon along with all the remaining ingredients (coffee, water, vinegar, maple syrup, brown sugar, chili powder, allspice, cayenne & chipotle) to your dutch oven. Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Cook until your jam has thickened and when you draw your spoon through, it leaves a trail. This will take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. (If you have a very wide pot, your jam will cook more quickly and if your pot is narrower, it will take longer).
Using a slotted spoon, transfer your bacon jam into a food processor (fitted with a large blade), leaving as much fat as you can behind. Pulse a few times to finely chop your mixture or until the desired consistency has been reached. I pulsed mine about 7 times.
Place your new bacon jam into a jar. This jam is not one that you can preserve through canning. It will keep in your refrigerator for approximately 2 weeks. Allow it to warm up to room temperature before using (it will bet quite stiff when cold).
I wish you could smell this. It is truly heavenly. Oh, and don’t think it’s super sweet. Yes, there is some maple syrup and brown sugar but there’s also vinegar and spices. It’s a wonderful combo!
So, now you have it! A bit of time = 2 weeks of bacon enjoyment. How would you enjoy your bacon jam?
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