If you are looking for a delicious and unique spread to add to your breakfast, sandwiches, or burgers, you might want to try making tomato bacon jam. This versatile condiment offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, thanks to the combination of ripe tomatoes, smoky bacon, caramelized onions, and a touch of brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. Here is a simple recipe that you can customize to your taste.
— Ingredients :
▢2 pounds Roma tomatoes*, about 10 tomatoes
▢1 pound thick-cut bacon, about 10 slices, cut into pieces
▢1 yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
▢½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
▢1 cup light brown sugar, packed
▢1 teaspoon kosher salt
▢1 teaspoon ground mustard
▢1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
— Directions :
Blanching Tomatoes:
Bring a pot of water to a boil. To a large bowl, add cold water and plenty of ice for an ice bath.
Thoroughly wash your tomatoes. Remove the core from the tops of the tomatoes and use a very sharp knife to cut a shallow “x” at the bottom of each tomato.
Blanch the tomatoes in the boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Then, immediately place them in the prepared ice water for about a minute.
After the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, transfer them to a cutting board. Peel the skins using either your hands or a paring knife.
Seed and dice the tomatoes. You will have about 3 cups of diced tomatoes.
Tomato Bacon Jam:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry the bacon pieces for 6-8 minutes, or until crispy. Once the bacon is crispy, remove from heat and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease. To the bacon grease, add the chopped onion and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until softened.
Once the onion is cooked, add the crumbled bacon, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, salt, ground mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
Mix together and bring to a gentle boil.
Continue to boil for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens with very little liquid remaining.
Remove from heat and serve warm or cold.
— Notes:
- You can use any type of tomato for this recipe, but cherry or grape tomatoes work particularly well as they tend to be sweeter and less watery than larger tomatoes.
- If you want a spicier jam, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño pepper to the skillet with the onion and garlic.
- This recipe makes about 2 cups of jam, but you can easily double or triple the ingredients if you want to make a larger batch.
— Nutrition Facts:
One serving (2 tablespoons) of tomato bacon jam contains approximately:
70 calories
3.5 grams of fat
8 grams of carbohydrates
4 grams of sugar
2 grams of protein
While tomato bacon jam is not exactly a health food, it can be enjoyed in moderation as a flavorful addition to your meals. You can use it as a topping for eggs, toast, or grilled cheese sandwiches, or as a condiment for burgers, hot dogs, or grilled meats. It also makes a great gift or party favor when packed in small jars with a label and ribbon. So go ahead and give this delicious recipe a try!
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