Apple Bacon Relish Recipes

APPLE BACON CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the vinegar, cider and brown sugar.
• Cook over high heat until bubbly, stir the first 30 seconds to dissolve sugar.
• Turn down heat to medium and continue to cook for 15 minutes. In a small skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain bacon. Add bacon, apples and orange juice to the vinegar mixture.
• Bring back to a boil and cook for 30 minutes more. Serve warm over waffles or pancakes, or scones.

CHEF JOHN'S BACON JAM

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and cook over medium heat until bacon is crispy and the rendered fat is foaming, about 10 minutes. Pour bacon and rendered fat into a strainer placed over a bowl to drain fat. When fat is drained and bacon is cool enough to handle, remove bacon to a cutting board and finely chop.
• Return pot to medium heat; drizzle 2 teaspoons reserved bacon fat and butter in pan. Saute onions and 1 teaspoon salt until soft and translucent, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Stir brown sugar, sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, black pepper, and cayenne into onion mixture; add bacon. Stir water into bacon mixture and cook until jam is a brick-brown bacon color and has a jam consistency, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme into jam; stir until shiny and heated through.

APPLE BACON CHEDDAR CROSTINI

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve drippings in skillet.
• Cook apples and gingerroot in bacon drippings over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and tender. Stir in brown sugar, thyme and salt. Cook 1 minute; stir in apple juice. Cook 1 minute; remove from heat. Cool completely.
• Heat oven to 450°F. Place baguette slices in single layer on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until toasted. Turn slices over; brush with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until toasted.
• In skillet, add cheese and bacon to apples; toss. Place about 1 tablespoon apple mixture on each baguette slice. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with thyme sprigs. Serve immediately.