Cranberry Bacon Jam

 

    Welcome to this months Improv Cooking Challenge where we are combining Cranberries and Meat. Which is such a fun theme, pumpkin spice and then peppermint are usually the flavors of the holidays. I think cranberry doesn't get as much attention as they should. They are tart but work great with sweet or savory things equally as well. Which is great, this jam is sweet and savory. And that pairs so deliciously with the goat cheese. 

 Improv Cooking Challenge

Cranberries & Meat

• Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Chops by Palatable Pastime
• Cranberry Bacon Jam by Pandemonium Noshery
• Fragrant Cranberry Chicken Pulao with Cashew Nuts by Sneha's Recipes
• Pork Tenderloin with Dried Cranberry stuffing by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Cranberry Glazed Sticky Wings by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Vegan Cranberry Soy Spring Rolls by Magical Ingredients 

Cranberry Bacon Jam recipe

1 (12 oz.) bag cranberries

2 strips bacon

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

2 1 sprig fresh thyme or rosemary

1/4 c. sugar

dahs black pepper

Goat cheese

Crackers or sliced baguette 

    Cook the bacon until crisp. Remove from the pan and crumble. Remove all but a teaspoon of the bacon drippings from the pan. Add the remaining ingredients to the can and simmer. At first it will be cranberries boiling in liquid, then they will burst open, keep simmering. Eventually they will break down and become jammy, this is is what you want. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Taste for seasoning and add more sugar, salt, or vinegar as needed. 

Serve with cheese and crackers.