condiment – My Whisk and I

Pickled Vegetables

March 21, 2024March 20, 2024by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This recipe is a guide with a few must-do steps and a whole lot of optionals where you get to choose according to your preference!!

vegetables of your choice e.g. cucumber, red onion, baby onion, carrot, cauliflower, green beans
flavourants such as fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, black or red pepper, mustard seeds, chilli flakes, pimento, all spice, garlic

Pickling liquid:
500ml white vinegar
500ml water
30ml salt
30ml sugar

Wash, rinse and dry your glass containers.
Clean and peel your vegetable of choice and cut it into pieces.
Tightly pack the vegetable into the jar and add your flavouring – I add about half a teaspoon of all the above spices as I like a punchy pickle.
Add the vinegar, water, salt and sugar to a small saucepan and place it on medium-high heat while stirring to dissolve the salt.
Remove from the heat as soon as tiny bubbles break the surface.
Pour the hot liquid onto the vegetables, covering it completely.
Secure the lid of the container and set aside to cool.
Place the container in the refrigerator for a minimum of three days.
Enjoy your pickles with a cheese/charcuterie board, on a sandwich, as a garnish/side with roasted meat or on its own as a snack.

Uncategorized

Tartare Sauce (and homemade mayonnaise)

February 20, 2023by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This is a delicious tartare sauce made from the easiest ever homemade mayonnaise!!

Mayonnaise:
250ml oil of your choice – I like a specific brand of olive oil but you may use any seed oil you like)
2 egg yolks
15ml English mustard
60ml lemon juice

Add the oil, yolks, mustard and lemon juice to a mixing bowl and blitz at high speed with a stick blender. Keep going until you have a thick and creamy sauce.
Season with salt.
You may keep the mayonnaise in a glass jar in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Tartare sauce:
250ml homemade mayonnaise
a handful of basil leaves
4 gherkins, chopped
15ml capers, chopped

Add the mayonnaise and basil leaves to a mixing bowl and blitz with a stick blender.
Add the chopped gherkins and capers and mix through.
Check the seasoning and serve with fish.

Uncategorized

Tomato and Plum Chutney

December 21, 2022by Karen Claassen3 Comments

This chutney is the perfect way to jar your favourite summer memories. Delicious on a sandwich, with meat or on a cheeseboard.

30ml olive oil
2 red onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
3cm fresh ginger, grated
2-3 red chillies, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
750g tomatoes, halved
750g plums, pitted and halved
a handful of parsley
190ml brown sugar
250ml apple cider vinegar
2,5ml salt

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the onion and fry until soft and translucent.
Add the garlic, ginger, chillies, cinnamon and star anise and cook until fragrant.
Add the tomato, plums, herbs, sugar, vinegar and salt and bring to a boil.
Turn the heat down to low and simmer for one and a half hours or until the chutney has thickened.
Remove the spices, adjust the seasoning and spoon the chutney into sterilised jars.
Serve as a condiment to leftover meat, a cheeseboard or simply on a sandwich.

Uncategorized

Caramelised Onions

February 22, 2022February 22, 2022by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

When onion is caramelised to perfection it has a rich flavour and makes a great accompaniment to cold meats, patés, terrines and even a base for savoury tarts. This recipe yields about 500ml of caramelised onions that will keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

30ml butter
15ml vegetable oil
5 large onions, sliced
a pinch of salt
30ml brown sugar
45ml balsamic vinegar

Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan over low heat.
Add the sliced onions and a generous pinch of salt and cook for 20 minutes. Stir the onions once or twice to prevent them from catching but not too often as it will prevent the caramelisation process.
Add the sugar and balsamic once the onions are soft and golden in colour.
Cook over a low heat for another 10-15 minutes.
Stir occasionally until the onions are sticky and caramelised.