We opened the brown-paper wrapped parcel and felt a bit mystified at the contents: a small gray pot of "Skillet Bacon Spread," better known as "bacon jam." With its black plastic lid and mottled contents it looks a bit more like high-end French face mask than a condiment. Operating solely on faith that this birthday present from dear friends would neither explode nor poison us, we opened it up and spread a bit on toast. What a symphony of comfort flavors exploded in our mouths. This heady concoction of shredded non-cured belly pork, a hint of balsamic, and rich caramelized onions combines together for a perfect burger topping, scrambled egg enhancer, mashed potato addition, and of course, on toast. In fact, we found it excellent spooned straight out of the pot. On grilled cheese sandwiches, as a base for a vinaigrette, drizzled with butter over asparagus...the possibilities are dizzying. Tissues please--I'm getting verclempt. Sure it boasts a swirl of congealed pork fat that Americans are hesitant to fully appreciate, and the color would never make for sexy food shots in a culinary magazine, but the smell hits you like you just stepped into a farmhouse kitchen. It's like: slow-cooked meats, biscuits, and savory-sweet things bubbling in a pot.
What is more, this stuff has a fantastic story behind it. A businessman in Seattle played with the formula for bacon jam out of his Airstream trailer gourmet mobile restaurant, called Skillet (I'm not kidding). Shortly after contracting to supply Williams-Sonoma the product got a mention on the Today Show as one of the Top 10 Gourmet items of the year. Sales have skyrocketed, Seattle residents are queuing up for hours to eat Skillet's gourmet burgers smeared with bacon jam, and my life is changed forever. Only 8 more hours to go before breakfast and I can once again whisk a dollop into my scrambled eggs and spread a bit on my cream-cheese bagel. Oh, if morning could only come a bit sooner.
Find Skillet Mobile Restaurant and Skillet Bacon Spread at: skilletbaconjam.com
Tres Hatch is the author of : Miracle Pill 10 Truths to Healthy, Thin, & Sexy.
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