Start by cooking the finely chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. The goal is to render out the fat and get the bacon pieces crispy. This usually takes around 10-15 minutes. I've found that stirring occasionally ensures even cooking.
Once the bacon is crisp, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the skillet and set it aside. Leave behind the rendered bacon fat in the skillet, as it's packed with flavor.
In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add the thinly sliced onions from Bowl 1. Cook them over medium heat until they start to caramelize. This process can take about 20 minutes. The transformation of the onions is magical; they become sweet, soft, and golden brown. I often stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the skillet.
Add the minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
Now, it's time to reintroduce the crispy bacon to the skillet. Mix it in with the caramelized onions and garlic.
In Bowl 2, whisk together brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, brewed coffee, maple syrup, and red chili flakes. Pour this mixture into the skillet, covering the bacon and onion mix.
Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. The liquid will reduce, thickening the mixture to a jam-like consistency. At this point, I often take a moment to relish the rich aroma filling my kitchen.
Once the desired consistency is achieved, remove the skillet from the heat. Let the bacon jam cool for a few minutes.
If you prefer a smoother consistency, transfer the cooled jam to a food processor and pulse a few times. I usually skip this step, as I love the chunky texture of the bacon pieces in every bite.
Transfer the bacon jam to sterilized glass jars and seal them tightly. It's now ready to be enjoyed!