Bacon Jam And Gorgonzola Appetizer Recipes

BEEF BURGERS WITH BACON JAM & GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• To make the jam, fry the bacon and onions together until they start sticking to the bottom of the pot and start caramelising slightly. Add the garlic and bay leaf and fry for another minute.
• Add the smoked paprika, salt and balsamic vinegar and stir to combine.
• Add the sugar, apple juice and water.
• Stir until the sugar has dissolved and allow to simmer on high heat for 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat down and let the jam simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, uncovered, until the liquid has reduced and thickened slightly. (The liquid that remains in the post should be able to cover a spoon easily but not be too syrupy or thick)
• With a hand blender (or in a food processor), blend the jam until there are no big chunks of onion/bacon left.
• Carefully transfer the jam into a sterilised jam jar and allow to cool before placing in the fridge. (Best eaten at room temperature)
• To make the burgers, fry the onion and garlic in a little olive oil until soft and translucent. Then combine all the ingredients for the patties and mix well.
• Form 4 patties and fry in a large, cast-iron frying pan/skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until the patties are cooked to your liking.
• Serve the cooked patties on the fresh breadrolls with bacon jam, lettuce, red onion and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.

BACON JAM

Steps:

• Add the bacon to a skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon until it's just starting to brown slightly and render its fat, 3 to 4 minutes. Add in the chopped onions and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and almost melting into the bacon fat, 30 to 40 minutes. If the pan starts to look dry or is browning too much, add a splash of water to deglaze.
• Stir in the brown sugar, cayenne pepper and grated garlic, then add the balsamic vinegar. Cook until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor. Pulse until the bacon is chopped slightly finer, 5 to 6 pulses.
• To serve, top the toast with the bacon jam and garnish with chopped chives.

SIMPLE ONION AND BACON JAM

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until fat has rendered and bacon is evenly browned but not yet crisped, about 5 minutes.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. Add onions to the pan with the bacon and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until onions are soft and lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Lower heat to a simmer and add balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon water.
• Simmer until jam comes together, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in remaining tablespoon water and remove from heat.

BACON-APRICOT APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.
• Wrap 1/2 slice of bacon around an apricot half, secure with a toothpick.
• Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is brown & crisp.
• Turn once during baking.
• While the bacon is cooking mix the jam & soy sauce in a saucepan and cook over low heat until the jam has melted and mixed with the soy sauce.
• Remove bacon/apriots from oven and place on paper towels to remove excess grease.
• Serve dipping sauce with the bacon-apricot appetizers.