Pickled Vibrant Sandwich Slaw

Pickled Vibrant Sandwich Slaw

For the pickling brine:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
• 1 cup cold water

For the pickles:

• 5 cups of slivered or julienned mixed firm vegetables. use different colors for a more visually stunning final product. We recommend using a mix of carrot, radish, yellow and orange bell pepper, beet, fennel, and cucumber
• Optional: a few slices of jalapeño or other hot pepper

Other equipment:

• 3 pint jars or 2 1/2 liter jars
• Julienne Peeler or Mandoline with julienne function or a good sharp knife and a little practice
• a funnel, makes filling jars a little less messy

1. In a non-reactive pot over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt and mustard seeds and bring to a simmer. Stir only until sugar and salt dissolve.Turn off heat.
2. Add the water and allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm temperature.
3. Divide vegetables between jars layering them in to make a rainbow of colors.
4. If using, set the funnel over one of the jars and pour the brine over the vegetables. Repeat with remaining jars.
5. Refrigerate until ready to eat. The pickling process will start immediately. You will taste the difference within an hour but the real magic happens after a day or more.

Enjoy as a amazingly tasty and colorful addition to sandwiches or as a side to grilled foods. Try it in a grilled cheese sandwich the next time we have a rainy fall evening, you won't be disappointed.

Note: These are refrigerator pickles, no need to can. They should last for a month or more without any change in taste or appearance. Ensure that your vegetables are completely submerged in the brine to prevent premature spoilage.

Frisée Salad over Roasted Beet Purée

Frisée Salad over Roasted Beet Purée

For the beet purée:

• 2 medium beets, topped and scrubbed
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• sea salt to taste

For the salad:

• I head frisée, chopped 
• 1 granny smith apple, sliced into matchsticks*
• 1 firm but ripe pear, sliced into matchsticks*
• 2 tablespoons manchego cheese, finely grated
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• juice of 1 lime
• sea salt to taste

For the topping:

• 1/4 cup red onion, julienned
• 2 teaspoon size nub of ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon butter
• sea salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Wrap the beets in tin foil with the stem side up, leaving the cut stem exposed to the air. Place in a baking dish and roast for 90 minutes. 
3. Allow the beets to cool enough that they can be safely handled then cut into wedges. Combine with the rest of the purée ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until very smooth. Cover and let stand in the refrigerator.
4. Make the topping: melt the butter of medium high heat in a medium sized skillet. Add the red onion and minced ginger and stir gently until they start to loosen and release fragrance but before they turn translucent. Pull from heat and set aside. Stir in the walnuts.
5. Combine all ingredients for the salad in a large bowl and toss to even distribute.
6. To plate: spoon the purée onto serving plater or divide between plates. Use the back of the spoon to push the purée around and "paint" the surface almost to the edge. Pile the salad on top then sprinkle the topping over it. Garnish with edible flowers like bachelor buttons and marigolds. 

*Matchstick cuts can be achieved with a little practice and patience. Check out this video for step by step instructions. You can, however, make the whole process much faster and easier with a mandoline slicer. Mandoline slicers make short and consistent work of any cutting task and a good one will handle a matchstick or waffle cut with no problem. We recommend this one, the PL8, from Progressive International. Not only is it very feature rich it is also one of the safer ones on the market due to its larger hand guard and turn dial controls. Click here to see it in action on youtube.

Whole Braised Beets

Whole Braised Beets

• 3 whole beets with their greens (washed well and patted dry)
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• Salt to taste

1. Add the butter to a skillet over a medium heat until it begins to froth.
2. Carefully place the beets into the skillet so that all the root tips rest in one direction and the greens in the other. Sear them in the butter until the greens are wilted.
3. Pour in the broth, cover, and simmer until roots become tender, about ten minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and transfer the beets to a serving dish using tongs.
5. Drizzle with the cider vinegar and finish with the fresh chopped mint and a dash of salt.