Bacon-Corn Relish

A couple years ago I bought a pork loin roast.  At the time I was in a side dish rut and I was so tired of making the same old same old.  I googled "pork loin side dish" {I'm not kidding} and found Pork Loin with Corn Relish.  I made it and kept my fingers crossed. Mike and our friends Scott and Shaun freaked out.  They couldn't stop telling me how good it was.  Since Scott and Shaun are under no obligation to pander to my cooking ego, I knew it must be good. 

I love this relish and it has become my go to side dish whenever I need to bring something to a dinner or am in the mood for the best corn side dish in history!

Bacon-Corn Relish

Ingredients:
4 ears of corn, shucked
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Jack Daniel's or Jack Daniel's Honey
6 strips bacon, diced
1 onion, diced
1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried sage)
Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Place a small bowl upside down inside a large mixing bowl.  Stand the ear of corn on its end on top of the small bowl.  Using a sharp knife remove the kernels from the cob. 
2. Add corn kernels to a skillet over medium heat.  Add syrup and whiskey, stir to coat corn.  Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until corn is tender and syrup has caramelized.  Remove to bowl; set aside.
3. In the same skillet cook the bacon over medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes - bacon should should be almost crisped.  Add the onion and cook and additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until onions are slightly caramelized. Stir in the corn and cook 2 minutes more. 
4. Remove corn mixture from heat, add the sage and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Stir well and serve warm.

I like to make this relish all year round.  If corn is not in season, I use 1 can of whole kernel corn (drained) and squeeze 2 tablespoons of syrup right into the pan.  Otherwise, you cook the relish just like normal.  Dried sage is okay too, but the aroma of the fresh sage is so wonderful.

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