Bourbon Bacon Bites
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bourbon
- For the crostini:
- ½ French baguette
- 1 container (5.2 oz) Boursin cheese
- Bourbon apple bacon jam (see recipe below)
- Fresh sage, for garnish
- For the bourbon bacon jam:
- 8 oz bacon strips, thick cut
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1½ Tbsp maple syrup
- ½ apple, peeled and diced
Directions:
Serves 4-6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
For the crostini: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the baguette into ¼-inch circles. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until lightly colored and crispy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Once cool, spread a tsp of Boursin cheese on each slice of baguette. Top with a spoonful of bacon jam and a sage leaf.
For the bourbon bacon jam: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place bacon strips on a parchment-lined baking tray. Cook bacon until nice and crispy, about 8-10 minutes, and allow to cool. Save any rendered fat in a small bowl.
Once cooled, finely chop the bacon, either by hand or in a food processor. Place the reserved rendered bacon fat in a saucepan and melt over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or until translucent and fragrant. Add the vinegar, sugar, bourbon, maple syrup and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chopped bacon, stir and cover for 5 minutes. Add the apples, stir in and return to a simmer. Once simmering, remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes, or until cool.
Store in a glass jar until ready to use.
