Pickled: From Curing Lemons to Fermenting Cabbage, the Gourmand's Ultimate Guide to the World of Pickling
Authors: Kelly Carrolata
PICKLED
From CURING LEMONS to FERMENTING CABBAGE
the gourmand’s ultimate guide to the world of pickling
K
ELLY
C
ARROLATA
ONTENTS
Nasturtium
,
see
Part II
NTRODUCTION
Decadent, sophisticated, adventurous & are these really words that can be used to describe the humble pickle? Absolutely! Once a simple survival skill, pickling is now the trendiest food movement around, valued across the culinary world for its ability to take ordinary ingredients—vegetables, fruits, and even meats—and almost magically imbue them with remarkably vibrant flavor. But today’s upscale fermenting is not the exclusive domain of the four-star chef. With just a handful of simple, fresh ingredients and a few techniques, anyone can produce delicious amuse-bouches, entrées, and even pickled cocktails that push the envelope of epicurean innovation.
With creations that run the gamut from a sophisticated and quirky Prime Rib with Quick-Pickled Ramp Aioli to classic Heirloom Mustard Pickles, you can ease into the world of fermented foods by being as highbrow or as lowbrow as you like. There are no rules when it comes to enjoying your pickles! And since today’s hippest pickled foods are often as simple as they are sophisticated, it’s easy to start turning out easy recipes that still deliver an exciting culinary payoff.
In
Part I
of this book, you’ll learn the mechanics of pickling, including important concerns of preparation and safety, so that you’re ready to get down to the business of pickling in your own kitchen. You’ll see what separates pickles from other types of preserved foods, and what makes them such a culinary powerhouse. Then
Parts II
,
III
, and
IV
will broaden your home-cooking horizons as we dish out nearly a hundred upscale—yet accessible—recipes that take you from your first cucumber all the way to dinner party fare, and hyper-cool pickled cocktails for the truly adventurous gourmand.
From the picnic table to the pinnacle of haute cuisine, whether you’re cooking pub grub or setting up a once-in-a-lifetime soiree, you’ll find exactly what you need in the recipes and techniques contained here. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a DIY enthusiast or a member of the culinary elite, you should never be afraid to experiment with your pickles—great food is all about balancing unexpected contrasting flavors and textures, so be sure to have some fun with your cutting-edge creations and let the bold new ingredients here take center stage. It’s time to hit the farmers’ market, grab some glass jars, and jump in to the hip world of pickling!