The stockings are tacked up. The chimney is clean as a whistle. The Christmas tree is decorated. We’ve helped you make merry this Christmas with smashing gifts, supper ideas, and desserts; as you amp up that festive charm with these, we bring to you just the thing to take it to the next level – three #awesomesauce homemade spreads to top off that Christmas cheer.
Making your feast fancy, hangover-cure brekkie, or a chaser to ‘em alcohol shots at the next party, these preserves can do it all. Our top three versatile spreads are super easy to whip up and even more pleasing on the palate, so be it Christmas brunch or NYE bash, or any moment when you wish to relish something delish- here’s your knight in shining bottle!
Image: westernlivingmagazine.com
Bacon Jam
Bacon jam is the stuff dreams are made of, this sweet & savoury relish sauntered onto Delhi’s platter last year and made it to the top of our favourites’ list. While having a spoonful is our team’s go-to snack, this spreadable bacon is an ace accompaniment to almost any treat- add it to a BLT sandwich, layer it on a PB & J or avocado toast, give waffles a savoury twist with this jam, or have it as a chaser to alcohol shots – it’s basically love in a jar!
Make this difficult sounding but easy to make jam with this recipe.
Prep time: 45 minutes
Caters to: Makes one medium jar
Challenge level: Beginner
From The Pantry:
- 680 grams bacon, chopped
- 1 gram fresh thyme leaves
- 10 grams butter
- A pinch of ground black pepper
- 4 large yellow onions, diced
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 120 ml water
- 55 grams brown sugar
- 10 ml balsamic vinegar
- 60 ml sherry vinegar
- 10 ml extra virgin olive oil
Cook Away:
- Take a large heavy bottomed pan and cook bacon on medium heat, until it is crispy and the fat is foaming (approx. 10 minutes).
- Place a strainer over a bowl and put the bacon and rendered fat into it, let the fat drain.
- Once the fat has drained and bacon has cooled off, chop the bacon finely.
- Now pour 2 tablespoons bacon fat and the butter into the pot and put it on medium heat. Sauté the onions with 1 teaspoon salt until translucent.
- Add black pepper, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, sherry vinegar, and brown sugar into the onions. Add bacon to this mix.
- Add the water and cook until the mixture reaches the consistency of a jam and is a deep red-brown colour.
- Take the pot off the heat and add the remaining home, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar and stir until heated through.
Let it cool, refrigerate to preference and eat away!
Image: mariahspleasingplates.com
Pesto Sauce
From pastas to breads, you’ve had pesto the conventional way. But this rich basil spread has lots more to offer, use it as a topping for your morning eggs or a salad, as a pizza sauce, mix it into dips, garnish a soup, or sauce your meats with it. And if you want to go the DSSC HQ way, simply dip flatbread sticks into a pesto jar and chow away. If you didn’t believe it yet, you sure will now, that Pesto is the best-o!
Make a batch in no time using this recipe.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Caters to: Makes one large jar
Challenge level: Beginner
From The Pantry:
- 125 grams fresh basil leaves
- 20 grams grated parmesan cheese
- 175 grams chopped walnuts
- 235 ml olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Cook Away:
- Put the basil leaves, garlic, cheese, and nuts in a blender and mix together until smooth (maintain consistency as per preference).
- Now pour in olive oil as you continue mixing.
- Once mixed well, stir in salt & pepper.
Your pesto is ready to be relished!
Image: foodandwine.com
Strawberry & Cranberry Jam
We make no bones about being huge fans of these bite sized do-gooders. High on antioxidants and taste, they have what it takes to be a #DSSCFavourite. This season we decided to spread the love by getting the two together and- you guessed it- making a spread. This mix of sweetness of strawberries and the tartness of cranberries makes a regular appearance next to our hangover-pancakes. It also tastes super when put in smoothies & yogurt, with cheese & crackers, as a meat marinade, in baked goodies, with ice cream, and if you’re feeling adventurous then baked with brie- and will have you all set to have a berry merry Christmas!
Make this all-rounder using this recipe.
Prep time: 50 minutes
Caters to: Makes one large jar
Challenge level: Beginner
From The Pantry:
- 70 grams cranberries, chopped
- 320 grams strawberries, chopped
- 1 gram margarine or butter
- 25 grams powdered fruit pectin
- 475 grams white sugar
Cook Away:
- Take a large saucepan and add cranberries, strawberries, margarine/butter, and pectin to it. Bring these to a boil.
- Stir in sugar and let it boil again.
- Cook this mix for about 1 minute and remove from heat.
- Fill the jar with this jam, close the lid tightly and dip it in boiling water for about 5 minutes.
- Take it out and let it cool. Have it at room temperature or after refrigeration.
This sweet ’n’ tangy spread is ready to be feasted on!
So, how’re you getting your Christmas jam on this season?
Featured Image Courtesy: popsugar.com
