Bacon Balsamic Mushrooms! #saucymama

A few years ago, I entered a recipe contest and won. I was shocked. Shocked because I don't do recipes. But in my willy-nilly fashion, I was inspired and created something delicious. This year I was invited back to create another recipe for Saucy Mama and Barhyte.

We had a few options since we were sent the following flavors:
* Jamaican Jerk Wing Sauce
* Orange Habanero Wing Sauce
* Honey BBQ Wing Sauce
* Hot Wing Sauce
* Four Leaf Balsamic Vinaigrette and Marinade
* Honey Dijon Dressing

I had no idea what to make because the choices are endless. I have been looking for quick and easy recipes that I can use for parties and get-togethers. I looked in the fridge and say I had a ton of mushrooms, bacon and Saucy Mama sauce. Well, I started thinking and came up with this easy and delicious dish. It can be used as a side dish or as a party appetizer!

Bacon Balsamic Mushrooms

Ingredients

24 oz. sliced Baby Bella mushrooms
3 strips bacon chopped into small pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1 shallot minced
1/4 cup red wine
3 tablespoons Saucy Mama Four Leaf Balsamic Vinaigrette & Marinade
1/4 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves

Directions

Heat the pan and add the olive oil and 1 table spoon butter. Add the chopped bacon and let it render until crisp. Once the bacon is browned, add the shallot and chopped garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the garlic and shallot become soft. Add the other table spoon of butter and the mushrooms. Saute for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme and mix. Saute another 3 minutes and add the red wine and the Saucy Four Leaf Balsamic Vinaigrette & Marinade. Mix. Cook for another 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are softened. Serve.

Here is how I made the recipe:

I sliced the mushrooms, shallots and garlic. 

I rendered the bacon in butter and olive oil. 

I added the garlic and shallots.

I added the mushrooms and the rest of the butter. 

I added a splash of wine.

I added the salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary. 

Then the mushrooms were softened, I added Saucy Mama Four Leaf Balsamic sauce and let cook. 

I loved this recipe. The Saucy Mama Four Leaf Balsamic Vinaigrette & Marinade gave the mushrooms an added pop of flavor. The Balsamic paired well with the wine and the fresh herbs. I sliced the mushrooms but I might leave them whole when I make them for a party. You an even marinade the mushrooms beforehand in the Saucy Mama Four Leaf Balsamic Vinaigrette & Marinade and then saute them. The bacon was the star here though because it gave the otherwise bland mushrooms a rich flavor. The bacon also paired well with the Saucy Mama Four Leaf Balsamic Vinaigrette & Marinade. There was a lusciousness to the mushrooms with bacon.

This is my entry into the 2014 Saucy Mama Recipe contest. I have no idea if I will win or not. But I now have a wonderful recipe that I can make. It is fast and easy and works well as a side dish or appetizer. Yum!