onion jam on a cracker with old cheddar

This jam is totally my jam. 😉  It’s a fantastic condiment with a never-ending list of uses.  I love it on a piece of cheese on a cracker. On a grilled cheese? D-lish. This recipe requires a few exclusive ingredients,  but aside from that, it is very straight forward and easy.  I’m a big fan of kicking up the flavour of dishes with the use of great quality condiments.  Makes a great hostess gift with a chunk of cheese and some artisinal crackers.

Red Onion Jam

adapted from a recipe by Rachel Allen

Makes about 3 cups

Ingredients:

1/3 cup of unsalted butter

6 cups of diced onions (I used red but use whatever you like)

1.5 tsp salt

1.5 tsp freshly ground pepper

3/4 cup (real) maple syrup (or granulated sugar)

1/2 cup sherry vinegar (or balsamic)

1 cup red wine (leftover from the night before is fine, or even if it’s been sitting around a few days)

3 tbsp creme de cassis (a blackberry flavoured liquer)

Directions:

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions, salt, pepper and maple syrup (or sugar). Stir. Cover and let cook on medium-low heat, stirring every few minutes to avoid it sticking (add more butter if it starts to stick). Cook for approximately 30 – 45 minutes until onions are quite soft and cooked down.

Add the red wine, sherry vinegar and creme de cassis. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and continue to cook, uncovered, until it thickens and becomes ‘jammy’.  (anywhere from 30- 60 minutes. If using maple syrup, it will take longer as there is more liquid).  Pour into sterilized jars. Refrigerate when cool. Will keep for months, in sterilized jars – refrigerated.  Caution: addictive.

dice up onions

add to saucepan and cook down slowly

red wine, creme de cassis and sherry vinegar

makes about 3 cups. Pour into sterilized jars.

YUM

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