The Key To Turning Any Jam Into A Savory Sauce
Jam is sweet. You make it from chopped or crushed fruit that is slowly cooked in sugar until it turns into a yummy gel. Many people spread it on bread or toast, or they use it in a dessert recipe. However, it is possible (and easy) to add a savory element that turns jam into a delicious sauce that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about this tasty treat.
The key to turning sweet into savory is adding an ingredient that creates a contrasting balance. For instance, a little minced onion and garlic work wonders. You can also add a dash of spice, like black pepper or paprika. Other options include sprinkling in some onion soup mix, adding some soy sauce, or even splashing in a judicious amount of salad dressing.
According to NoraTC on Reddit, your goal is to "build a balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors in a liquid that has a nice consistency." This user also suggests using other ingredients such as mustard powder, lemon juice, or red wine vinegar. However, the most important part is to sample your recipe to see if the balance is working as expected.
Where to use that savory sauce
Now that you know the key to turning jam into sauce, the burning question is... is it worth it? Is there enough to do with that savory new recipe to make it worth your while? The resounding answer is yes. Before getting into what you can do with the sauce, consider the variety. There are a lot of different types of jam. Whether you favor apricot, strawberry, apple, peach, raspberry, pineapple, plum, grape, or something else, each one of these can be the main ingredient or blended with another jam to create a new sauce that will present your protein in a dazzling new light.
With all these options, it's time to consider how to best use that savory sauce. You can slather it on pork, chicken, steak, rice, or even mix it in with meatballs. If you are looking to please a younger diner, or add some sophistication to comfort food, any of these combinations make an excellent dipping sauce for chicken fingers or fries.
Hopefully, it is now clear that using a sweet base to create a savory sauce is a culinary springboard that adds a fresh dimension to your dishes. As with any discovery, however, now that you know it exists, you must experiment to make it your own.