This spicy bacon jam is sweet, sticky, smoky and delicious.Use chipotle bacon jam as a spread on a burger or a breakfast sandwich, or mix it into your favorite recipe for a sweet-hot-smoky flavor.For the best flavor, make sure to use the best quality bacon you can find.
1Tablespoongarlic in fermented honey sauceor use 3 cloves fresh garlic
½teaspoonkosher saltmore or less, to taste
½teaspoonfreshly ground black peppersmoked if you have it, but it's not a deal-breaker if you don't
2-3chipotles in adobochopped
½cuphoneymaple syrup, or sorghum syrup
¼cupvinegarI used cane vinegar. Balsamic is a good choice as well
1Tablespooninstant coffee
Instructions
Chop the bacon into 1" pieces and cook until about halfway done.
Pour off all the fat that has accumulated in the pan. Save it--good stuff!
Add the chopped onion, garlic in fermented honey, salt, and smoked (or regular) pepper.
Continue cooking until the bacon is mostly cooked and the onions are soft and beginning to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes over medium heat.
Pour off as much of the rest of the fat as you can. Save it!
Add the chipotles in adobo, honey, vinegar, and instant coffee.
Continue cooking over medium heat until it has a jammy texture and is dark in color and the onions are brown and soft all the way through, an additional 20-30 minutes.
Spoon off as much additional fat as you can (if there is any left), and scrape all the jam into the bowl of your food processor.
Pulse until you like the texture.
Taste and adjust seasonings if it needs it.
Pack into a clean jar or other lidded container and keep in the fridge.
RFor best flavor and to make sure the jam is spreadable, reheat portions for a few seconds in the microwave.
Notes
Jam will keep up to 4 weeks in the fridge.Spoon into portions and freeze for longer storage. Once frozen, keep your portioned jam in a zip-top freezer bag. It will stay good for a good 3 months or so.
Variations
Feel free to leave out the chipotles if you don't like spicy jam. You can also add extra if you like it super spicy.Make a chocolate bacon jam by melting in some milk or bittersweet chocolate to taste. Make sure you do this after the jam is completely cooked so you don't burn the chocolate.