Penang Shallot Relish Chung Gao Jai Recipes

GEORGIAN PICKLES

Steps:

• 1. Combine the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a nonreactive saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the garlic, cilantro, dill, and hot peppers. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Correct the seasoning, adding sugar to taste.2. Meanwhile, trim the lettuce and cut into 1-inch wedges. Rinse the tomatoes and cucumbers under cold running water, blot dry with paper towels, and prick 5 to 6 times with a fork. Cut the watermelon, both rind and flesh, into 1-inch wedges. Divide the vegetables and melon among three clean 1-quart jars. Add enough cooled pickling mixture to cover. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the mixture in each jar to keep the vegetables submerged.3. Cover the jars, placing another piece of plastic wrap between the mouth of the jar and the lid. (The second piece of plastic wrap will prevent the vinegar from corroding the metal lid.) Let the vegetables pickle, in the refrigerator, for at least 3 days. The pickles will keep, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for several weeks.Makes about 3 quarts enough to serve 10 to 12

HAITIAN SLAW / PIKLIZ

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the dressing. Combine the vinegar, sour orange juice, salt, pepper, and cloves in a 2-quart crock, jar, or large nonreactive bowl. Whisk until the salt dissolves.2. Stir in the cabbage, carrots, celery, onion, scallions, garlic, and chiles. Cover the crock with plastic wrap and let the slaw pickle in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving. Stir several times to ensure even curing. The slaw can be made up to a week in advance store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.Serves 8 to 10

LEMONGRASS SAMBAL

Steps:

• 1. Place the lemongrass, shallots, garlic, chile, tomato with its juices, the ginger, turmeric, and palm sugar in a food processor. Process to a coarse paste. Add the Tamarind Water, sweet soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Process to blend.2. Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan over medium heat. Add the lemongrass mixture. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and very fragrant, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature before serving. This delicious sambal will keep, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week.Makes about 1 1/4 cups enough to serve 4 to 6

DUA HANH (PICKLED SHALLOTS)

Steps:

• Put the shallots in a small heatproof bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes to loosen the skins. Pour out the hot water, then refill the bowl with cold water to quickly cool the shallots. Drain in a colander.
• Using a paring knife, cut off a bit of the stem end of a shallot. Working from the stem end, peel away the outer skin and dry-looking layers underneath. Separate any twin bulbs to fully remove the skin. Finally, cut away the root end, taking care to leave enough so the shallot won't fall apart. Repeat with the remaining shallots.
• In the bowl that held the shallots, stir the salt into 1 cup warm water until dissolved. Return the peeled shallots to the bowl. Let stand at room temperature, loosely covered, at least overnight or up to 24 hours to remove some of their harshness.
• Drain the shallots and rinse well under cold running water. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and vinegar and bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the shallots. When the liquid returns to a simmer, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shallots to a pint jar. Pour in the hot brine to the rim. Weigh down the shallots with a small dish if they bob up. Let cool completely, uncovered, then cap and refrigerate.
• Allow the shallots to mature for 5 days before serving (halve bigger ones, if you like). They will keep refrigerated for several weeks, though they are likely to be long gone by then.

MOROCCAN SHALLOT RELISH

Steps:

• Combine the shallots, parsley, oil, and lemon juice in a mixing bowl and toss to mix. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss again. Correct the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, and lemon juice, if desired. The relish is best served within 2 hours of preparing.Makes about 1 cup enough to serve 4