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Stressing over what wine to pair with holiday food? Relax and check out these wines pairing ideas featuring sweet potatoes served with bacon jam and wine that can be shipped to your door.
I had my first sip of wine when I started working at a restaurant over a decade ago. I was immediately fascinated with the taste, the process, and the idea of pairing it with food. I learned how to breathe in with wine in my mouth to enhance and help identify the subtle flavors. And I discovered that the world of wine included a much longer list of choices than I ever expected. It can all be very overwhelming, especially when you are in charge of choosing wine for someone else to drink with their meal. Yes, there are many things to consider. In the end, the most important thing is that the food and wine taste good to you. It doesn’t always matter how much the wine costs or how many fancy ingredients are in your food. It can be as simple as something being good (or not). So if you’re starting to panic a bit about choosing the perfect wine to pair with the most impressive meal this holiday season, take a deep breath and just try a few different combinations. Don’t overthink it. Enjoy it. Close your eyes and mindfully taste everything and you are sure to find what you’re looking for.
Of course, I have to offer a little assistance in this area so you aren’t completely alone. Today I bring you: sweet potato medallions with bacon jam! They are the PERFECT holiday appetizer and are sure to wow your guests. I made them for a rehearsal dinner a few weeks ago for some dear friends who got married and wow, were they a crowd pleaser! Plus, they are gluten free, so you can rest easy serving this to friends with that particular dietary restriction. (Just make sure you purchase gluten free bacon.) 
For the wine choices, I am featuring a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir from Sonoma-Cutrer. They ship their wines, so it is crazy easy to order enough for your holiday parties without setting foot in a liquor store. Wine! I mean…WIN! I’m always happy to have fewer errands to run this time of year.
Lets break this down for a moment: you cannot go wrong with sweet potatoes and bacon. You also cannot go wrong with a good Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. These are my go-to wines for parties because they please most people. The key? Keep the Chardonnay on the bright side rather than the buttery side. Sonoma-Cutrer’s Russian River Ranches Chardonnay is a lovely choice that has the substance to stand up to flavorful food, but enough effervescence to be refreshing and drinkable. For Pinot Noir, I like to keep things smooth. Reds can be tough to pair with food (and people) but Pinot Noir tends to be one of the more palatable choices for the widest range of people. The Vine Hill Pinot Noir from Sonoma-Cutrer was the perfect choice for this appetizer. It has a smoothness and depth that is perfect for a chilly night and words beautifully with the smoky flavor of the bacon jam in this particular recipe.
When it comes right down to it, the best thing you can do when you are entertaining is to breathe and enjoy your guests. Regardless of whether you pair this with that or the other thing, you will all have a memorable experience filled with all the warmth the holidays bring. Cheers to that. You got this.
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The Perfect Appetizer with Wine: Sweet Potatoes and Bacon Jam
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Omnivore, Gluten-Free
Description
Sweet and savory come together in this elegant appetizer. Perfect with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
Ingredients
- 2 large or 3 medium sweet potatoes (youll want enough to make 30 medallions)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lbs (454 g) bacon (gluten free if needed, otherwise just look for thick cut, meaty bacon)
- 1 head of garlic (sliced in half across its equator, drizzled with olive oil and wrapped in foil))
- 1 medium red onion (sliced)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Noir both taste great)
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- creme fraîche or sour cream
- thyme (rosemary or chives for garnish (thyme is my favorite))
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick medallions.
- Arrange sweet potato medallions on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush medallions with olive oil on both sides.
- Bake until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and set aside.
- Arrange bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Arrange onion slices and garlic head on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place bacon on a rack in the top third of the 400°F (204°C) oven; place onions and garlic in the bottom third.
- Bake for 25 minutes, switching pans halfway through.
- If onions brown too much, remove them; leave garlic until soft and cloves easily pop out.
- Combine cooked bacon and onions in a blender.
- Squeeze garlic cloves into the blender.
- Pulse until mixture is nearly spreadable.
- Add black pepper, maple syrup, and wine to the blender; pulse to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Spoon 1 teaspoon of bacon jam onto each sweet potato medallion.
- Place medallions on a serving platter.
- Top with a teaspoon of crème fraîche or sour cream.
- Garnish with herbs.
- Grind additional black pepper over medallions, if desired.
Notes
- For easier blending, cook the bacon until slightly crispier than usual.
- If you don’t have creme fraiche, plain Greek yogurt makes a good substitute.
- Store leftover bacon jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 medallions
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 40
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of wine pairs best with sweet potatoes and bacon jam?
A medium-bodied white wine, such as Chardonnay, complements the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and the savory notes of the bacon jam.
How can I achieve the right consistency for the bacon jam?
Cook the bacon until crispy, then simmer it with onions and brown sugar until it thickens to a jam-like consistency, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Can I use a different type of potato instead of sweet potatoes?
While sweet potatoes provide a unique flavor, you can substitute with Yukon Gold or red potatoes, but adjust the seasoning to balance their less sweet profile.
