Bacon Jam

It sounds weird right?  Have you ever tried it?  OH.MY.GOODNESS.  I think I have found a new obsession!!!  Where has this stuff been all my life?  Sweet, salty, deliciousness.  What more can you ask for?!?!  The last couple of years I've gotten sick of making the same old holiday baking giveaways, so I decided this year I wanted to give something different.  I tried this jam at some country store this fall as a sample, and I knew right then that I had found something special.  I found a recipe and after I fooled with it a little I decided this is the homemade item I am giving away at Christmas.  More people need to have this goodie in their life.

The possibilities for what this incredible jam could be used on are endless.  Lots of people serve it on bread or crackers as an appetizer, but I've tried it on grilled cheese & meatloaf and both were amazing.  Next I want to try it on pizza and on a burger....my mouth is watering at the thought!  

Bacon Jam (adapted from Martha Stewart)

3 lbs applewood smoked bacon
4 onions, diced
6 cloves garlic, peeled & smashed with the side of your knife
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 cups brewed coffee
1 tsp Tabasco 

Cut bacon into 1 inch pieces and cook in a large skillet until it's lightly browned and fat is rendered off.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with paper towels and set aside.  Remove all but 2 tbsp of bacon fat from the pan, add the onions and garlic and cook for about 10 minutes or until onions are translucent.  Add the maple syrup, vinegar, sugar, coffee, dry mustard and Tabasco and bring to a boil while stirring for about 2 minutes.  Add the bacon back to the pan and stir to combine.

Transfer mixture to the bowl of your slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, for about 4-5 hours or until liquid becomes syrupy.  Transfer to the bowl of a food processor and pulse two times or until it's just slightly chopped up.  Cool completely, then refrigerate in an air tight container.  Stays good for about 4 weeks.  I like to warm mine a little in the microwave before using it, that way you can really taste all the yummy flavors going on!   Makes about 5-6 cups, depending on how long you let it cook down.