

JOHANN’S BACON JAM
This is a delicious condiment over roasted or fried veggies, savoury salads, with biscuits and cheese – anything!
500 g thick-cut bacon, cut into 1 cm pieces
2 small sweet onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 stalks of green onion, very thinly sliced
½ cup smooth apricot jam
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
Set a large pan or heavy skillet over medium-high to high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Keep all the bacon fat in the pan; do not discard.
Lower the heat to medium. Stir in the onions and spring onions, and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the jam, vinegar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in 1/2 cup of water and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally if necessary. Cook until the the jam has a glossy appearance and syrup-like consistency, about 1 hour.
Allow the mixture to cool for 20 to 30 minutes. If it’s too coarse, you can pulse in a blender – personal taste prevails!
Transfer to an airtight container. Bacon jam can be refrigerated for up to one month. Serve at room temperature.
Recipe and photo: Johann Viljoen