Delicious Condiment - Bacon Jam

For some of you, bacon and jam are words that just do not go together. Fear not though! Bacon jam is heaven on a spoon. We love to use it as a condiment on our burgers, but you can use it on grilled cheese or even for cracker dip. It's actually pretty simple, and this is what you'll need:

Photo bywww.rabbitholedistillery.com

Ingredients:

• 1, 16 oz package maple bacon
• 2 medium sized sweet yellow onions
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar*
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbl maple syrup, optional
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

First, cook / fry your bacon until crisp, then remove drain and cool, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the grease.

Next, chop your onions into thin strips of about 1/4 " wide. In a skillet or fry pan, coat with the reserved bacon grease and add the onion strips and stir to coat. Then cook over medium-low heat, stirring about every ten minutes to break up any bits.

While the onions are cooking, chop up your bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Once onions are soft and golden brown, add a few tablespoons of the balsamic vinegar and gently scrape the bottom to deglaze the pan. Once the vinegar has just about cooked out, add your bacon pieces and the remaining vinegar along with the brown sugar, syrup, salt, and pepper. Stir until a thick glaze forms (about 5 minutes).

At this point, make any adjustments that you would like. Depending on your brand of balsamic vinegar, you may need a little more brown sugar or a dash more pepper for your liking.

I like to use it from this point and straight from the pan, but for a less rustic, smoother jam, you can take it for a quick turn in a food processor. (This does make it easier to spread).

Serve as a condiment on hamburgers, grilled cheese, use with cream cheese for cracker spread... whatever suits your fancy!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Notes:

* Balsamic vinegar note: Please use a quality balsamic vinegar. You will have a drastically different outcome.

* I also prefer the maple bacon, but you really can use any brand or flavor. The maple syrup just helps enhance it all, in my opinion.