Why? Because you can! And pickle, and jam, or otherwise celebrate the resurgence of the domestic arts our forebears held so dear. Put on your best apron and step into our kitchen, won't you?
1 part cherries, 0.5 part sugar and maple syrup, .5 parts rum, 3 parts kickbutt. One of several batches of macerated liquers we'll make this year... Taste will develop awesomeness over time as well.
We love a good pickled ramp (wild leek) but drying them adds another dimension to your pantry - pure leek flavour without the vinegar tang. These are great for cooking the rest of the year.
Drying chives, like most herbs, is an easy thing to do. The flavour is far superior of anything store bought - just the smell of these makes me crave sour cream and a potato (something I never crave).
I'm a sucker for sesame snaps - those hardened 'cookies' make from molasses and sesame seeds. This was an experiment that I share our successes and struggles - and some ideas for next time.
The best preserve we ate last year was a condiment I almost skipped over on my plate. This black radish relish is based on that evening and the amazing flavours we were presented. This relish is sweet, tart, soft and brash at the same time.
Don't have a vitamix? Tired of trying to create relish with your knife? Frustrated by turning your prooduct into pulp with your food processing blade? Here's our technique to make 'perfect' relish chunks...
Drying mushrooms is about as easy as it gets - it`s minimal effort and high reward. The texture changes delightfully - we rehydrate them and use on top of (and in) soups, sandwiches and more.