Cuisine: Condiments
Pickled Red Onions
Pickled red onions are going to have permanent residency in my fridge. These vibrant onions happen to be Viva Magenta 18-1750, which is the Pantone color for 2023. If you, like me, are not a fan of the sharp and pungent taste of raw onion, this is the answer. Pickling them in white vinegar, sugar, and salt tones the harsh flavor way down. There are many uses for these onions - use them in salads, tacos, and sandwiches. They are particularly good in grilled cheese.
By - Prep: 10 mins
Caramelized Onion Jam
My daughter Zoe sent us a jar of onion jam from the east coast and it turns out it's not readily available on the west coast. We liked it so much, that I decided to make it myself. Here is my version of Caramelized Onion Jam. It's really good on grilled cheese, quesadillas, or just cheese.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Yields: Makes 1 cup
Fancy Cranberry Sauce
My daughter Zoe made this Fancy Cranberry Sauce. My father only likes the sliceable, jiggly retro canned stuff. This takes all that up a notch with deeper fruit flavor and more nuance. It’s subtly spiced with bay leaves and cardamom, then set in a gelatin mold and topped with sugary orange zest and cranberries.
- Yields: 8 - 10 Servings
Flo’s Hot Dog Relish
While recently in Maine, we were taken to Flo's Hot Dogs, which I was told was a must when in Maine. It's located on Rte. 1 in the seacoast area of Maine, in Cape Neddick. This little shack has been making Flo’s famous hot dogs since 1959. There is almost always a long line out the door from the time they open (11am), until the time they close (3pm). I will have to admit I was a bit dubious because the most popular hot dog is served with mayo, celery salt and Flo's special relish that looks very strange and really rather unappetizing. Here's the deal - THEY ARE SERIOUSLY GOOD! I know most of you are scoffing, but just stop! I found several recipes for the relish online. One of them said to simmer it stirring CONSTANTLY for 8 hours! Now I don't know about you, but I have a life! I actually made the relish in my Instant Pot / pressure cooker. (20 minutes at HIGH pressure, then quick release). You can also just simmer it on the stove for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally during commercials. This sounds like I watch daytime TV, which I don't...
The true test was last night my friend from Maine tried them and said I NAILED it! You have no idea how happy this makes me. I can now open a West Coast branch!
To serve a Flo's "House Special" dog - mayo, celery salt and Flo's relish!
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Yields: Makes aobut 2 cups of relish
Bourbon Soaked Cherries
We went to the farmer's market and found these beautiful fresh cherries and decided to preserve them. It's only 3 ingredients - cherries, sugar and bourbon. You can use these Bourbon Soaked Cherries in a Manhattan or spoon them with their syrup over ice cream for an adult dessert. They will last a year in the refrigerator.
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
Turkey Brie Avocado Sandwich with Cranberry Mayo
Turkey Brie Avocado Sandwich with Cranberry Mayo is the perfect turkey sandwich to serve your guests at a luncheon. The cranberry mayo adds a delicious tartness.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Cinnamon Honey Butter
My daughter, Grace made this Cinnamon Honey Butter. Its uses are endless. You can put it on toast, pancakes, waffles, muffins, bagels, cinnamon rolls, biscuits, popcorn, etc. I should have taken a picture before everyone descended on the jar!
- Prep: 10 mins
BLT with Basil Mayonnaise
BLT with Basil Mayonnaise - If you grow tomatoes, you end up with a "boat load". My husband decided that we would have BLTs for dinner, which is a very good idea. My daughter took a bite and said "Whoa, that's bomb!" I am assuming that "bomb" is a good thing. I think it was by the look on her face! FYI - Adding slices of avocado wouldn't be a bad idea. Then it would be called a BLAT with Basil Mayonnaise.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 1 sandwich
Lemon Tabasco Aioli
I went to happy hour at McCormick & Schmick’s, which is a seafood restaurant. I ordered the Crispy Shrimp Croutons with Lemon Tabasco Aioli. It was particularly delicious. Aioli is a Provençal traditional sauce made of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and usually egg yolks. It's basically garlicy mayo. There are many variations. It is usually served at room temperature. The name aioli comes from Provençal alh 'garlic' and òli 'oil'.
- Prep: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yields: Makes 1 1/3 Cups
Homemade Pickled Jalapeños
Homemade Pickled Jalapeños are very easy to make. You can use them for nachos and tacos, cheese omelets, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, etc. I recently needed one jalapeño and had to buy a whole bag of them. My jalapeño plant in the back yard is not doing very well at the moment.
- Prep: 5 mins
