This year I decided to gift homemade bacon jam to friends and family for Christmas. I mean come one, it's a jam made with bacon! This recipe is very simple, so if you have any last minute gifts that you need to come up with, this would be something you could easily whip up.
I found this recipe last year in Martha Stewart Living and decided that I was going to make it this year for gifts. The one thing that I would have to say about this recipe is that you are going to need a ton of shallots. If you think you have enough, add another two bags. This jam is delicious with crackers (with or without cheese!), or just eaten right off the spoon! MSL suggests serving it with aged cheddar and crostini which sounds like heaven to me.
Bacon Jam Recipe, from Martha Stewart Living
What you need:
-1 1/2 lbs sliced bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
-2 cups finely chopped shallots (MSL says 3 large or 8 small shallots will do the trick, it's more like 5 large and 10 small)
-4 small cloves garlic, chopped (about 1 Tbs)
-1 tsp chili powder
-1/2 tsp ground ginger
-1/2 tsp ground mustard
-1/2 cup bourbon
-1/4 cup maple syrup
-1/3 cup sherry vinegar
-1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
What you do:
1. Spread half of bacon in a single layer in a large skillet, cook over medium heat, stir occasionally until browned. Transfer to paper towels to drain, remove fat and repeat with remaining bacon, reserving browned bits and 1 tablespoon fat in pan.
2. Add shallots and garlic to pan and cook over medium until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add chili powder, ginger, and mustard and cook, stirring together. Increase heat to high, added bourbon and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits. Add vinegar and brown sugar and return to a boil. Add bacon, reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally until liquid reduces to a thick glaze, about 1o minutes.
3. Transfer mixture to a food processor and pulse until it has the consistency of a chunky jam. Refrigerate in an airtight container at least 1 hour and up to 4 weeks.
I put the jam in these jars to give out to loved ones for gifts.