Make My Day Camp: Bacon Jam (re-run)

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Bacon Jam (re-run)

In yesterday’s post for fried green tomatoes I wrote that my mom liked to eat them with bacon jam, I totally forgot about amazing bacon jam! So I’m sharing that post again in memory of mom, and also because it’s SO good it deserves another look. Originally posted 12/17:

Bacon.

Jam.

(mic drop. really, do I need to say more?)

And if anyone's first thought is "why", I'm not sure we can be friends. 'Cause c'mon - bacon jam!

Ingredients:

2 pounds bacon, diced
4 medium onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup brewed coffee

Directions:

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon in 2 batches, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes per batch. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet. Add onions and garlic; cook, stirring, until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add thyme, vinegar, brown sugar and coffee to slow cooker. Chop bacon into small crumbles, add to slow cooker and stir. Cover and cook on hight for 2 1/2 hours. Uncover and cook until onions are caramelized, about 1 hour more. Jam will thicken as it cools.
Let cool. Refrigerate until ready to jar. The jam will keep in the fridge up to 4 weeks.

Note: if gifting - portion the jam into 4 1-cup jars. You could cut scraps of fabric with pinking shears and tie over lid with twine, or just wrap the jar with some ribbon. Attach a tag (include that it needs to be kept in the fridge and will last 4 weeks), and you could also tie on a pretty spreader if you want to add to the gift!

Serve on crackers and sandwiches (try it on grilled cheese).

Hands-on time: 1 hour

Total time: 4 1/2 hours

Yield: about 4 cups

found this recipe here.

PS: I cannot stop nibbling on this. A teaspoon at a time. Sweet and salty...bacon-y...sigh.