Bacon Jam

I've been planning on making this for a few weeks and finally had the time to! You start it in a pan then transfer it to the slow cooker. It's kind of time consuming but it's delicious so it's worth it!

Bacon Jam

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs thick cut bacon
2 medium onions, diced small
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup brewed coffee

Directions:

1. Cut bacon cross wise, into 1 inch pieces. Cook in skillet on medium for about 20 minutes until fat is rendered and bacon is slightly brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon from pan and transfer to a paper towel to help drain. Pour off bacon fat, except about 1 tablespoon.

2. Cook onions and garlic in bacon fat until onions are translucent.

3. Add in remaining ingredients and cook until boil. Stir in bacon.

4. Transfer to slow cooker and cook on HIGH, uncovered,  for about 4 hours.  Sauce with thicken like syrup.

5. Transfer mixture to food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
6. Allow to cool and transfer to jars or air tight containers.  Store in fridge for 4-6 weeks. (If it makes it that long! :) )

A few notes:
*Try this on an egg sandwich or on a pizza with fresh arugula.
*Delicious on mini baguettes and crackers, great for a party appetizer.
*Recipe makes about 3 1/2 half pint jars.

Hawaiian Kielbasa Bake

I am always looking for new and easy recipes and this is definitely one of them! It gives a great island-like flavor and is not a typical casserole.  The balance between the sweet pineapple and peppers is perfect!

Hawaiian Kielbasa Bake

Ingredients: 
1 lb cooked Kielbasa, sliced into bite sized pieces
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup pineapple preserve
1 (8oz) can pineapple chunks, undrained
1 (6.2 oz) box of whole grain and wild rice quick rice, with seasoning packet
1 1/4 cup water
2 tbsp butter

Directions:
1. About 1 hour before baking, combine kielbasa, peppers, and onions in bowl. Top with pineapple preserve and pineapple chunks. Let marinate in fridge until ready to cook.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine water and butter in sauce pan until boil.

3. Combine rice, seasoning packet, kielbasa mixture, and boiling water in bowl.

4. Pour into 2.5 quart casserole dish and cooked, covered, for about 40-45 minutes.  Enjoy!

A few notes:
*This would be equally delicious if you used 1 lb of cooked chicken breast instead of kielbasa.
*Make sure you scoop up the awesome sauce mixture made from the pineapple preserves!
 *This is a great hot casserole that has very summery like tastes! :)