Honey-Glazed Shallots with Crispy Bacon and Balsamic
Total Time:50 minutes
Ingredients
1.5 pounds fresh shallots, peeled and kept whole
4 strips turkey bacon, finely diced
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable broth
Instructions
Start by peeling your shallots and trimming the root ends, but be careful not to cut too deep or the shallots will fall apart during the cooking process. If they are particularly large, you can slice them in half lengthwise to ensure they cook at the same rate as the smaller ones.
Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the diced turkey bacon. Cook it until it is golden brown and crispy, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once finished, use a slotted spoon to remove the turkey bacon pieces and set them aside on a paper towel, leaving any rendered fat in the pan.
Add the olive oil to the same skillet and turn the heat up slightly. Place the shallots in the pan in a single layer and sear them for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until they develop a deep, golden-brown color on all sides. This step is crucial for building the base flavor of the dish.
Pour in the balsamic vinegar, honey, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine the liquids, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let the shallots simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. You want them to be tender all the way through and the liquid to reduce into a thick, syrupy glaze.
Remove the lid and increase the heat for a minute if the sauce needs further thickening. Once the glaze clings to the onions, stir the crispy turkey bacon back into the pan along with the fresh thyme leaves. Toss everything together one last time before transferring to a festive serving bowl.
