Last year my husband and I decided that our New Year's Resolution was going to be to make new friends. Coming from a large Italian family, friends don't exist. Every weekend is devoted to one of the million cousins' birthday parties, holidays, month long prep for the holidays, weekly dinners and favors for the family. It is really hard to make and keep friends when you have zero time for them! Not to mention my husband has a very dry sense of humor (it's the European in him) that you have to be a very confident and witty person in order to be around him. And let me tell you, the friends that have withstood my husband, my family and my lack of "friend" time, have proven to be assets in our lives.
So this year I am giving all of them a jar of this bacon jam, because it is (semi-chunky) liquid gold, and that is what their friendship means to me.
If you want to wow some people this year serve this as an appetizer at your next dinner party with whipped feta or brie. Better yet, grill some burgers and throw some delicious creamy cheese and a good old slab of this on. If you still have one of those "impossible to buy for" person on your xmas list, give them a jar of this. It can be refrigerated for up to three weeks!
- 1 pound of bacon , chopped into 1 inch squares
- 2 shallots , finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic , finely diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup strongly brewed coffee
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoon water
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In a heated skillet, cook bacon squares to a crisp, remove bacon from pan and reserve the grease.
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Saute the garlic and shallots in the bacon grease until soft.
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Add brown sugar, coffee, vinegar and syrup to the onions and garlic and simmer for 5 minutes. Add bacon chunks, pepper flakes and water and stir gently.
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Simmer, on low, for about 35 minutes stirring often, until the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is syrup-y.
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Place the entire mixture into a food processor and pulse a few times until it reaches the consistency of chunky jam.
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This recipe makes about 2 cups.
baking bohemian
This looks amazing and really delicious!
Karista
These look delish!
Jo Pomeroy
Oh, no. Just when I thought I was done in the kitchen today I have to read (and make!) this...
The Seaside Baker
It will change your life! Thanks for reading 🙂
Miranda
Got here through Pinterest - this looks delicious!!! Any suggestions on replacing the coffee? My hubby can't have caffeine. You think I could sub water or will that make it bland?
The Seaside Baker
Thanks for stopping by! Bacon Jam is an extremely forgiving recipe, so you can really play around with it. If you can use coffee I would try using a half a cup of apple juice and 1/4 cup of water. The end result may be a bit sweeter, but I am sure it would be delicious!
sarah
Just made your recipe and it is beyond delicious! My one comment would be that the jam takes a little longer to breakdown - I simmered mine for over an hour. Love the addition of the red pepper flakes! Adds the perfect amount of kick.
The Seaside Baker
I am so glad you liked it!