FOOD: SKILLET STREET BACON JAM

It's apparently all the rage down south right now and popular traveling diner Skillet Street Food is capitalizing off it very quickly.  Bacon Jam might sound either utterly disgusting or inversely, utterly amazing to you.  The savoury spread is a reduction of Onions,  Brown Sugar, Spices, and well, Bacon.... and it's apparently amazing.  The idea was spawned from an episode of Top Chef.  I respect that many faiths and ethnic groups shun the consumption of Pork, but I have no issue with "the other white meat" and I'm sorry if you do because you don't know what you're missing.

I placed my order online for an 8 oz. jar at $12 US, forking over another $12 for shipping.  Feeling adventurous, I tried my own spin on the recipe found on popular Foodie blog Not Quite Nigella.  I wound up substituting Hediard Vanilla White Wine Vinegar imported from Paris instead of Apple Cider Vinegar.  To cater to my sweet tooth, I added a couple extra spoons of Organic Cane Sugar to the mix, plus a couple Cinnamon Sticks. The results I'd say, were like a hybrid of Pâté, Pulled Pork and Cha Siu (Chinese Barbequed Pork).   Delish.  But how would my version stack up against the popular version available online?

In celebration of my culinary achievement, I held a Bacon Jam Brunch this past weekend.  Among the highlights were Organic Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes; Organic Apple Maple Chicken Sausages; Truffle Oil, Grape Tomato, Cheddar and Asparagus Frittata; and the marquee item - homemade Bacon Jam spread on toasted, buttered Baguettes.  Here are some of the reviews:

“Bacon Jam – the NEW Pâté! A creamy & dee-lish spread with a  long-lasting, lingering aftertaste.” - Tony

"I felt that the texture was odd as I could feel all the little bits of bacon and I think that my taste expectation was that this would be a sweet not savoury jam or jelly.” - Tracy

“I thought the Bacon Jam was very delicious although it was more of a spread than a jam.” - Josh

“For someone like myself, who does not eat bacon, I thought the Bacon Jam was great. I really enjoyed the flavour, not too overwhelming, and just the right amount of sweetness.” - Habeyah

"It has a nice mild taste. I think it would be really great in sandwiches. You could have so much fun thinking of different combinations! Could put it on a pizza, and create a southern style pizza!" - Aimee

"I think the Bacon Jam would be a great time saver in a BLT as well - no frying up the bacon, and you still get that nice smokey flavour." - Mary

“The Bacon Jam was yummy. It seems more like a spread rather than a jam per se... as someone who loves bacon, I wish it had a bit of a stronger bacon flavour - it was a like a nice, pleasantly savoury meat spread with hints of sweetness and spice. The spices make me feel like it would be a nice festive treat to have during the Christmas season. It would be great to also have it on hand for the times when you're craving meat but don't want to sit down and eat a big Pork Chop!” - Fran

"Okay, so the Bacon Jam was the best thing i have ever tasted... " - JoAnne

“Bacon Jam was not what I expected. Had a nice cinnamon/spice to it.” - Pam

After a week's wait, I finally got my Skillet Street Bacon Jam in the mail today and I must say, it is nothing like my caramelized recipe.  Not to say that it isn't equally delicious.  This version is smokey and savoury, like a creamy Pâté made of Beef Brisket or Pulled Pork. I spread some on Multigrain Crispbreads from Ikea, which was just perfect.   On Skillet Street's website, it is recommended that the jam be spread on a Burger and I imagine that being sinfully indulgent also.  Again though, the product is more a spread than a jam.  Its name may mislead some since the term "jam" would evoke thoughts of sweetness.  Perhaps I will have to have a second Bacon Jam Brunch to get a wider spectrum of reviews.  Who's in?