Onion Jam With Bacon And Bourbon Recipes

BACON-ONION JAM

Steps:

• Set a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, and add the bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat is completely rendered and the bacon has started to crisp, approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
• Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pot, and add the onions, mustard seed, brown sugar, vinegar and 3 tablespoons of water. Stir to combine, then cover the pot, lower the heat and allow the mixture to cook undisturbed for 15 or 20 minutes. Remove the top, stir again and then partly cover the pot. Allow the mixture to cook until most of the liquid is gone and the onions have achieved a dark brown jamminess, approximately 60 to 70 minutes. (Add a little more water as needed.)
• Taste the jam, and add salt and pepper if necessary.
• Remove mixture from heat, and allow to cool slightly. Spoon the jam into a jar or bowl, then allow to cool completely. Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to a week.

BACON-BOURBON JAM

Steps:

• Divide bacon between two large skillets and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned and starting to crisp, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat and discard remainder. Add bacon fat, onions and garlic to one skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and translucent, about five minutes. Add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, coffee, and bourbon. Bring to a boil and cook for two minutes, stirring and scraping browned bits from bottom of skillet with wooden spoon. Add bacon and stir to combine.
• Transfer mixture to a six-quart slow-cooker and cook on high, uncovered, until liquid has reduced and thickened slightly and bacon is a deep burnished brown, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
• Transfer mixture to food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Let cool, then transfer to airtight jars. Store in refrigerator for up to one month.

BOURBON BACON CHEESEBURGERS

Steps:

• To a large skillet, saute bacon pieces over MED heat until crispy, about 8-12 minutes. I used center cut bacon, so there wasn't too much bacon grease, but if yours is particularly greasy, drain about half the grease. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft and tender, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add cider vinegar, brown sugar, bourbon, water, cayenne, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is mostly cooked off, about 10-15 minutes. Mixture will be thick and syrupy.
• Use immediately, or place into airtight container and refrigerate for 2-4 weeks.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over MED-HIGH heat. Add hamburger buns, cut side down, and toast until golden brown. Turn off heat and remove to a plate to cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Peel the onion and grate (using a hand grater or even a box grater) about 2 Tbsp of onion into the meat. Use the fine side of the grater, so you're getting very small pieces of onion. You'll get onion juice too, and that's good.
• Use your hands to mix gently until just combined. Form into 4 patties (for 1/3 lb burgers, make 6 patties, and for a 1/4 lb burger, make 8 patties). Make an indentation in the center of each burger with your thumbs to ensure even cooking.
• Heat a drizzle of oil in the same skillet over MED heat and cook burgers about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked to desired doneness.
• The last minute of cooking, place cheese slices on patties and cover pan with aluminum foil. Serve hamburgers on toasted buns with lettuce and bourbon bacon jam.