These are great for snacking, or as an unexpected side for your next barbecue.
Ingredients
1 lb red or green grapes
1 cup red wine vinegar
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup sugar – white or brown
1 shallot, cut into slivers
1-inch piece peeled ginger, chopped
1 tsp yellow mustard seeds
1 ½ tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 star anise pod
1 dried allspice berry
Directions
Make sure all the grapes you’re using are firm and unblemished. Leave whole or cut in half (for greater absorption of pickling liquid) and place in quart-size Mason jar.
Add all other ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until shallot is softened, about 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat, cool 15 minutes.
Pour liquid over grapes, gently swirling so spices incorporate. Let jar sit on counter until it reaches room temperature and then cover and refrigerate 2 hours to one day before serving. Should keep up to one month in refrigerator.
Use underripe avocados for this one, and you can use the brine more than once!
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups vinegar – distilled white, apple cider or rice wine
1 cup water
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp kosher salt
½ tsp brown mustard seeds
½ tsp coriander seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp chopped fresh dill
½ tsp black peppercorns
½ tsp chili flakes
2 cloves garlic, smashed and rough chopped
2 underripe avocados
Optional: Additional sliced hot chili peppers, like jalapenos
Directions
Add vinegar and water to a saucepan and stir in salt and sugar. Add spices and herbs and bring to a boil. Once salt and sugar have dissolved, remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Peel and slice each avocado into ½-inch wide slices.
Divide garlic, fresh chili slices (if using) and avocado slices between two wide-mouth pint-sized jars.
Stir vinegar mixture once more and pour into jars to cover avocados. Close jar lids and put into the refrigerator for 2 – 24 hours for flavors to combine.
This is one pungent pickle, great for topping Greek salads. Alternately, you can pickle feta or other soft white cheeses like mozzarella (fresh pearls or block) or gouda by submerging chunks into leftover pickle juice along with some fresh herbs like dill or rosemary.
Ingredients
8 oz. Feta cheese
5 sprigs thyme
2 basil leaves
1 small sprig rosemary
1 cup champagne vinegar
1 tsp honey
½ tsp chili flakes or several rings of fresh jalapeno pepper
½ tsp peppercorns – tricolor is great
Directions
Rinse and pat cheese dry. Cut into ½-inch cubes.
To a 1-pint jar, add a layer of cheese cubes and then a layer of thyme and a pinch of chili flakes. Repeat layers until jar is almost full.
Whisk champagne vinegar with honey and pour over cheese until jar is full.
Put lid on jar and store in refrigerator to marinate for 1-3 days before using.
The perfect balance of heartiness, cozy comfort and fresh flavors. Great for dinner with pasta and greens on the side, and also fab in sandwiches the day after. Baking instead of frying, and arrowroot starch instead of the usual all-purpose flour make it lighter.
Ingredients
2 lb Globe eggplant, sliced about ¼-1/3 inch thick
1 Tbsp salt
½ cup arrowroot starch
4 eggs
2 cups breadcrumbs
2 tsp each garlic and onion, powder, divided
½ tsp dried basil, oregano and thyme
2-4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup olive oil
Additional salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 425º. Line two sheet pans with paper towels.
Sprinkle salt on eggplant. Let sit 20 minutes, pat dry. Remove paper towels from sheet pans, line with parchment paper.
In three shallow bowls, put: (1) arrowroot starch, (2) eggs, (3) breadcrumbs, ¾ cup Parmesan, 1 tsp each garlic and onion powder. Whisk eggs, stir together breadcrumb mix.
Lay an eggplant slice in arrowroot starch so some sticks, then dip in egg. Coat/pat with breadcrumb mix. Place on prepared sheet pans. Repeat.
Drizzle with olive oil, bake about 20 minutes, flipping slices halfway.
Meanwhile, add tomatoes, remaining garlic/onion powder, dried herbs and pressed garlic to a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Adjust salt/pepper to taste.
Lower oven to 400º. Spread 1 cup tomato mixture in a 9” x 13” casserole dish. Layer with ½ of the eggplant, 2 Tbsp fresh basil, more crushed tomato mixture, half of remaining cheeses. Repeat layers, finishing with cheeses.
Bake about 25 minutes until golden. Serve garnished with fresh basil.
Channeling Ina here: So simple…yet so elegant. This four-ingredient wonder (yes, black pepper counts!) proves that less is more—especially when you’re showing off top-shelf flavors. Five minutes of prep, and you’re a culinary genius. Pair with a sturdy white or rosé, and let the compliments roll in.
Ingredients
4 fresh figs (your favorite variety, green or black)
6 pieces good quality prosciutto
12 fresh basil leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Remove stems from figs and cut into thirds. Place a basil leaf on top of fig and carefully wrap prosciutto piece around fig/basil firmly. Just before serving, crack a bit of pepper over them.
Rich, creamy and deeply comforting, these crème fraîche mashed potatoes take a classic side dish to the next level. The tangy richness of crème fraîche adds depth and silkiness, balancing buttery potatoes for a mash that’s smooth, savory and irresistibly spoonable. Simple to prepare and easy to love, they’re a natural fit alongside just about any main.
Read more about laying flavors in our The Union article.
Ingredients
3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled/quartered
1 cup crème fraîche
8 Tbsp unsalted butter
Salt/pepper, to taste
Directions
Boil potatoes in 6 qt. pot of salted water until very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes, mash with masher or pass through a food mill or ricer into a big bowl.
Bring crème fraiche and butter to a simmer in 2-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour over potatoes, stir to combine. Add salt/pepper to taste.
