OMG...........Bacon Jam

BACON JAM !!!!!! Its my family's new ketchup

So one of my friends gave me her Bacon Jam recipe and then I played with it until I got this.....

1 pound of bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
1 med.size sweet onion   chopped small
1/2 a small Thai chili   minced small
2 cups of chicken stock
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

in a large skillet pan fry up the bacon
when bacon starts rendering down add onion, cook until onions are turning brown.
don't drain the fat, add the balsamic vinegar, 3/4 c of chicken stock bring to a boil and cook down. When
the stock has reduced to almost nothing add the honey and 3/4 c of chicken stock. boil again until it reduces to a sticky jam consistency.
let cool for 5 mins then  put into the blender with remaining stock. I add the peppers now.
Put into a small pot and serve warm. I boil for about a minute.

Enjoy

After taking a day or two off.....

I am going to add a few more recipes to try and get caught up on my list of recipes.



SWEET AND SPICY CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

10 drumsticks
olive oil
salt
pepper
1/2 cayenne

Toss the drumsticks in olive oil and then sprinkle salt pepper and cayenne on them.

GLAZE

5 tbsp honey
2 tbsp fish sauce
4 tsp dark soy sauce
juice from 1 lemon
juice from 1/2 lime
3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp sesame oil

Mix all together

HEAT the oven for 400 degrees and lay drumsticks in a baking dish and bake for 18 mins
after 18 mins, take chicken out and brush the drumsticks with the glaze.
cook for another 20 mins and remember to turn the drumsticks during that time.

My family enjoys these drumsticks with pasta or potato salad.

YUM YUM

MANGO, AVOCADO SALAD 

serves 4

2 ripe mangoes slice

2 ripe avocados  slice

juice from 1/2 lemon ( use to keep avocado from browning) remember you need some for dressing

2 cups of baby greens

2 tbsp sweet/spicy toasted pine nuts

I layer the mango and avocado on the bottom then put the greens and pine nuts, drizzle with dressing.

I have also just tossed it all in a bowl and lightly dressed and sprinkled pine nuts on the top.

DRESSING

2 tbsp of orange juice

2 tbsp lemon juice\

1 tbsp whole grain mustard

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp avocado oil

sea salt 

ground pepper

sweet/spicy pine nuts

1/2 cup of pine nuts in a non stick pan ( toast for a minute)

add 1 tsp of butter, mix around till melted,

1/2 tsp of cayenne and 1 tbsp of brown sugar to the mix

I mix until sugar is forming bubble and then pour on to a piece of parchment paper.

Let cool.

My daughter and I have to make a double batch because we eat these like chips.

Enjoy

A few salsa recipes

FRESH CORN SALSA

2 cobs of corn  (roasted on the bbq) take off the cob

1 red pepper (roasted on the bbq) remove skin dice

1 mango (chopped small)

1 avocado small pieces

2 green onions ( minced)

1 lime (juice)

1/2 red chili or jalapeno (finely chopped)

fresh cilantro finely chopped 

sea salt

fresh ground pepper

add all fruit and veg to a bowl, add lime juice,salt,pepper  mix together and refrigerate. I like to let it sit for 4 or 5 hours.

This is the salsa that we put on my butternut squash soup.

PINEAPPLE SALSA

2 pineapples peeled and cored (chopped bite size pieces)

1/4 of a large red onion finely chopped

1 red thai bird chili  finely chopped

1/2 bag of frozen mango (I chop the pieces up )

4 stems of cilantro (just the leaves) chopped finely

1/4 tsp cayenne

mix together and allow to sit for a few hours

we use this like a slaw or condiment

Dressings

Saskatoon dressing

1 1/2 cups of saskatoons
1 tbsp of honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp of red wine vinegar
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
zest from 1/2 lemon
juice from 1/2 a lemon
1/2 a shallot minced

sweat down shallots in a bit of oil, add in saskatoons, simmer for a 5-8 minutes (until starting to break down)
add honey, vinegars, lemon zest
cook down for 5 minutes
put mixture in the blender (I use pulse setting)
slowly add in the olive oil and lemon juice.
salt/pepper to taste.

I use this like a sandwich spread, you can use a little more oil if adding to a salad

Rhubarb Dressing

1 cup of rhubarb cooked down
1/4 olive oil
2 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tbsp honey grain mustard
2 tbsp of honey

blend in blender for a smoother texture

great on summer greens

Well I did it!!!

So I just got home from my Master chef audition and I got as far as I could today.....Now we wait and see. I will be posting 2-3 recipes a day to get caught up.

24 hours to go.........

So I leave for Winnipeg today and 24 hours from now I will be waiting for my turn to impress the judges. Masterchef Canada here I come. With all my attitude, and an amazing dish!
I want to make my little home town of Rivers Manitoba proud.