A little while ago the folks at The Siren Group invited me to an event featuring a new product called Skillet Bacon Spread. Given my love for bacon I was intrigued but unable to attend, so the folks at The Siren Group were kind enough to send some of the product over to me to try.
The product was created by Chef Josh Henderson from Seattle and features Niman Ranch bacon that has been rendered down and mixed with onion, spices, brown sugar and some balsamic. According to the press release it works well in grilled cheese, mixed into mashed potatoes, on top of a burgers and many other uses.
While the above uses all sounded great I wanted to try something a bit different. The jar arrived at my office on precisely the same day that I was explaining to some new employees how much I love bacon. Oddly enough, prior to this discussion they hadn’t pegged me as a bacon girl. I was shocked. As if on cue the bacon spread was delivered and all was right in the world again.
The first thing I realized with this spread is that it doesn’t so much work on its own. I grabbed a spoonful and the whole thing was interesting but definitely needed a vehicle to carry it. While there is that bacony taste I found that I got more of a sweet, smoky taste from it. I don’t think this would work on toast but is probably butter in applications where you want a hint or kick of bacon or smoke.
The other day found myself with a loaf of bread and some cream cheese in my fridge. That’s when I got the brilliant idea to make bacon cream cheese. I softened some of the cream cheese on the counter and then mixed in 1 part bacon spread to 3 parts cream cheese. I have to admit, this stuff was kind of addictive. I already love flavoured cream cheese. Some of my favourites are olive, chive, veggie, lox… and the list goes on and on. The bacon spread added the right amount of porky goodness and smokiness. After the cream cheese success I could see the bacon spread being added to an onion dip. Doesn’t that sound fab?
Bacon Cream Cheese
1 part Skillet Bacon Spread
3 parts cream cheese, room temperature
Mix the spread into the cream cheese. Spread as desired.
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This is such a brilliant idea! I bet it’s delicious. So simple too!
Seriously good! It also got me thinking about “making” other flavours of cream cheese.