Blueberry Butter Maple Bacon

And why the heck not? I probably should have run this recipe a few more times for better shots, but I think the flavors speak for themselves. I stumbled across this PRIMO Maple syrup called Trees Knees Butter Maple and WOW, it's fantastic! The company's name is Bushwick Kitchen LLC. and they carry a barrage of other delicious and intriguing flavor combinations featuring honey, maple and even a 'hot line' with Sriracha and Gochujang!   They are whimsically marketed as "Bees Knees, Trees Knees and Weak Knees", very befitting of such elevated condiments!  Next on my list is the Honey/Meyer Lemon blend, it sounds Amazeballs.  

This quick and simple recipe is a melodious fraternization of fresh spring flavor, with familiar and classic staples, bacon and maple syrup, to bring a modern elevation to your next sandwich or breakfast/ brunch table.  Frozen thawed blueberries will do just fine, as only the juice will be used to marinate the thick cut, smoked protein, imparting its color and subtle nuance.  The results are an upbeat tinted, smoky, not too  sticky treat, hitting the high notes and satisfying your bacon cravings and hankering for  something a bit sweet at the same time, and that's pretty sweet!  

Recipe:

1 lb. thick cut Apple or Cherrywood smoked bacon

1/4 c. blueberry juice, plain nothing added

Trees Knees Butter Maple for brushing

Directions:

Arrange bacon on parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush with the blueberry juice.

Let stand for about 10 minutes to absorb the colors and place in a 400*F oven to roast or under a broiler.

Cook until desired crispness is reached, brushing with the Butter Maple during the last 5 minutes.

Let stand for several minutes to set the Maple coating and serve as desired.  

 

Blueberry/Ginger/Bacardi Rum Jam: We Be Jammin'!

Today's feature is brought to you by an awesome sale on blueberries at our local Walmart. 12 oz. containers were on sale for $1 each.  This afforded me the opportunity to make a plethora of fruited goodies, namely jam.  I'd never made blueberry jam before and figured it was high time.  Following a successful venture with strawberries, creating a Mixed Berry Sake Jam w/Cardamom, a big hit with me and my family.  The recipe is super easy and relatively maintenance free, using my Ninja Foodi® and I was able to gift some of my family and friends their own special homemade goodies, it makes me feel good!  It pays to catch these impressive sales at local supermarkets and maximize on its benefits by canning and preserving for later.  With times as unpredictable as they are these days, every little bit helps, every deliciously sweet, fruity and spreadable bite!  I used Bacardi Rum for this recipe, but feel free to choose the brand of your own personal desire, I like to stick with the classics when cooking with alcohol. Don't worry, only the subtle spiced notes remain, not the booziness, so you can create memories that you can share with your kids after eating, unabashed and without the shame that sometimes comes along with a story starting with Bacardi Rum! Cheers!

 I'm by no means opposed to sugar and I know and respect its place in canning. I do however, feel that wonderful canned jams and jellies can be achieved with optimal yet reduced amounts.  This recipe provides a delightful and fruit forward spread and you will never miss the extra sugar! Try a heaping spoonful in your cottage cheese for a real treat or with the usual suspects like toast, English muffins or yeast rolls.  Breakfast, lunch or dinner, this JAM ROCKS!

Recipe:

8 -12 oz. containers of fresh blueberries, rinsed, picked through and examined for defectives

5 3/4 c. pure cane sugar

8 whole green cardamom pods

Juice and peel (without pith or white part) of 1 lemon

1 tsp. kosher salt or to taste

1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

1 shot bottle of Bacardi Rum 1 1/2 oz.

2 boxes fruit pectin, optional

Instructions:

Place all ingredients except vanilla extract in the Foodi on the warm setting and allow the fruit to macerate and marry for 5 hours.  Doing so will break the berries down slowly and help them keep their form, concentrating the delicious flavors and 'becoming' with little effort.  Stir periodically.

Once the berries have given up their liquids and are fragrance forward, turn the setting to  sear/saute and bring the berries up to gentle simmer.

Remove the cardamom pods!

Once the berries have reached your desired consistency, turn off the heat and add the pectin mixed with a little water.  

If you choose not to use the pectin, simply simmer the berries down until visibly reduced and it is a bit thicker in the vessel.  It will continue to thicken naturally as it cools and sets.

Stir until fully dissolved and transfer to hot sterilized jars.

Add the lids and place the jars on the counter to seal naturally over the course of the next day.

You will be able to tell if they have sealed, by the indentation in the top lid, it will be concave. 

Label and date your finished gems, I like to adorn the gifting ones with butcher's twine for a personal touch, but feel free to omit or decorate as desired.   

Your jam is ready to be stored or gifted, I did both.

Makes 12 -1/2 pint jars, plus some to enjoy now, just place the remainder in a clean and airtight jar with a lid.

Refrigerate for longest shelf life and best flavor.  Keep in mind, this version has about half the sugar as the regular versions, so it may be more susceptible to losing freshness faster after opening, not that it will hang around though, as my young teens say "It's Bussin"!, which translates to delicious!