This is my jam, yo!

I cannot even begin to tell you the magic that is this recipe.  It's one of the few things that will stop the Mr in his tracks.  Like given the choice between seeing the Force Awakens on opening day in an empty theater and never having this recipe again, he may actually struggle.  It's THAT good.  Have a foodie friend and you're wanting to make an awesome gift, this is the gift they will be raving about.  Everyone that has tasted this when I've made it (and not told them what it was ahead of time) has absolutely loved it.

Why didn't I put the name in the title?  Because I know it would get skipped if you saw the middle word in the recipe...

Wait!  Wait!  Where were you going!  I saw that nose crinkle.  Mine used to until I tried dates and they taste like pecan pie when you stuff a pecan in the middle.  Dates are used to sweeten all kinds of things and the sweetness isn't overwhelming.  You pair this sweet, creamy powerhouse with smoky pepper bacon and yummy, buttery caramelized onions and you have the best thing to go in your pie hole since...well, pie.

Here's what you'll need for about a 10-12 oz jars worth.

8 pieces of thick sliced pepper bacon
15 medjool dates, pitted
1 medium onion

One of our local health stores sells some awesome thick cut pepper bacon, if you can't find thick cut like that, you can get similar pre-packaged bacon at the grocery store.

Time to get the fat rendering in the skillet.  Cook on medium heat.

While the bacon is cooking, time to cut the onion.

Cut in 1/2" rings.

When the bacon reaches this stage, turn the heat down to simmer and move any fattier pieces (the the one on the far right) to the middle so the fat isn't under done.

Time to focus on the dates.

If your dates aren't pre-pitted, it takes 3 seconds per date to slice down the middle and pop the pit out.

When the dates are pitted, put them in a small saucepan and fill with water until the dates are just covered and cook over medium heat.

Grab the bacon from the skillet and put it on paper towels to drain.

Discard half the oil left and do NOT scrape out the brown bits left over.  Those are going to become part of the awesome.

Separate your onion rings and put in skillet over medium heat.

After about 10 minutes, flip the onions over.  See that delicious pepper stuck to the onions?  That's what makes it so much better than regular bacon.  Keep an eye on the onions and flip them about every 5 minutes and put a cover over it to seal in the moisture and help speed along caramelization.

Let's chop the bacon, shall we?

Add about 1-2 tablespoons of water to the skillet and it will loosen the brown bits of awesome on the pan and stir the onions to incorporate it.

When the dates are really boiling away, you'll see the skins starting to pull away from the date.  That means they're done.

Put the dates on a plate or cutting board but make sure you save the "date water."  You're gonna need that.

See how the date skins are peeling back?  That's what you want.

If the dates are straight out of the pan, use two forks to pull the skins off.

If you give them a few minutes to cool down to handle (but still be warm), you can pull the skin off with your fingers easily.

Put the date 'meat' into a bowl and give a quick stir.

Add the bacon to the onions over low heat.

Most onions will fall apart with a stir but if you have some longer pieces, break it up into a small dice with a fork or spatula.

Like so.

Add the dates to the party and fold together.

The mixture can be thick so add date water a tablespoon at a time and stir after each addition.  (I did about 4-5 tablespoons)

This is the consistency you're shooting for.

I like to sterilize old honey jars for just such occasions.

Not only can you keep this for yourself but if you have a true foodie friend that is hard to shop for, this gift (kept cold in transit) will be one that is raved about for years to come!

Put a pretty label on the front with the "made on" date

 This freezes beautifully and that's what I did with mine.  I'm doing one bag for an afternoon tea to make bacon date jam phyllo cups and the other will be to slather on leftover turkey sandwiches.  It's also amazing on burgers, stir a spoonful or two into your stuffing, with veggies and pretty much anything!

Makes 10 two tablespoon servings.

The nutrition data provided with each recipe are estimates and cannot be guaranteed. It should not be used in the treatment of medical conditions and you assume all risk should you choose to prepare the recipe.  

Linked up with The Heathered Nest, French Country Cottage, Home Stories A to Z, Sand and Sisal, The Crafty Blog Stalker, 

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