Bacon Jam! I feel like not much more needs to be said. This is a smoky, savoury, caramelized treat. The appetizer we made from the bacon jam was inspired by a President’s Choice advertisement/recipe based on their Bacon Marmalade product. The appetizer construction was easy and delicious, but truly this bacon jam can be appreciated anywhere, on a sandwich, on crackers, with a spoon, with your fingers.

We made this for the party for Dad yesterday and it was a hit. I’ve been contracted to make a batch for one of our good friends, on the condition that he brings me the pound of bacon needed.

Bacon Jam

Recipe very slightly adapted from Dinner with Julie

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb (one package) good-quality bacon
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee (hot or cold)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. Roughly chop the bacon and cook it in a large pan; transfer to a bowl using a slotted spoon, draining off most of the drippings.
2. Saute the onion and garlic cloves in the remaining drippings for 5 minutes, until soft and starting to turn golden.
3. Return the bacon to the pan, add the brown sugar, coffee, maple syrup, and vinegar and cook over medium-low heat for half an hour, or until deep golden (mine was more bacon coloured… deep, rich browny red) and thickened to the consistency of jam.
4. Serve warm on toast, sandwiches, crackers, etc. Or, follow the directions below for a delicious appetizer.

Bacon Jam Appetizers

• a baguette
• two pears
• white cheddar
• fresh or dried thyme
• bowl of fresh bacon jam

1. Slice a baguette and lay the slices out on a baking sheet, drizzle lightly with olive oil.
2. Toast the slices in an oven set to 350°F for 10 minutes, or until crispy and slightly golden.
3. Thinly slice your cheddar and place on the baguette slices.
4. Put the tray back in the oven to melt the cheese and further toast the baguettes.
5. Dollop some bacon jam on each slice and top with a slice of pear and a sprinkle of thyme.

Step-by-step

1. Roughly chop the bacon and cook it in a large pan; transfer to a bowl using a slotted spoon, draining off most of the drippings.
   

   Not roughly chopped, so much as evenly chopped.

2. Saute the onion and garlic cloves in the remaining drippings for 5 minutes, until soft and starting to turn golden.
   

   Onions, bacon, garlic.

3. Return the bacon to the pan, add the brown sugar, coffee, maple syrup, and vinegar and cook over medium-low heat for half an hour, or until deep golden (mine was more bacon coloured… deep, rich browny red) and thickened to the consistency of jam.
   

   Jamming out!

4. Serve warm on toast, sandwiches, crackers, etc. Or, follow the directions below for a delicious appetizer
   

   Preliminary bacon jam testing.