Bacon and Caramelized Onion Jam Crostini with Whole Grain Mustard

Ingredients:

• 1 large French baguette, sliced into ½ inch rounds
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup butter, melted

• ½ lb bacon, diced
• 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup bourbon
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 oz creamy cheese (e.g., goat cheese, Brie, or fontina), sliced or crumbled
• ¼ cup Silver Spring Whole Grain Mustard
• Fresh thyme, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a skillet, cook diced bacon over medium heat until it crisps. Remove bacon and drain most fat, leaving 1 tablespoon.
2. Add onions to the skillet, cooking over medium-low heat until deeply caramelized.
3. Add bacon back, along with bourbon, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the mixture is thick and jam-like. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Preheat oven to 425°F. Brush baguette rounds with the butter and olive oil mixture and toast for 5-6 minutes.
5. Spread or crumble a small amount of cheese onto each crostini, then spoon a tablespoon of the bacon and onion jam over the cheese.
6. Top each with a dollop of Silver Spring Whole Grain Mustard and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Serve warm.