Chicago Style Hot Giardiniera Food

CHICAGO-STYLE HOT GIARDINIERA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss cauliflower, celery, carrot and peppers with salt. Add cold water to cover. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Drain vegetables; rinse with cold water and drain again. In a large nonreactive bowl, whisk vinegar, garlic, oregano and pepper flakes. Gradually whisk in oil until blended. Add olives and drained vegetables; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, overnight to allow flavors to blend., Transfer mixture to jars. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 weeks.

HOMEMADE HOT GIARDINIERA

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups water and the salt in a glass or non-reactive bowl. Mix until the salt is dissolved. Add the carrots, cauliflower, serranos, garlic, celery and bell pepper to the salt water and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Day 2, drain and rinse the vegetables. In a clean bowl, mix together the oil with the oregano and pepper. Add the vegetables and mix to combine. Allow to marinate overnight. Giardiniera will only get better with time. After 2 days at the most in the bowl, you can place in air-tight mason jars and keep in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 weeks.

GIARDINIERA RECIPE (CHICAGO STYLE)

Steps:

• Combine vegetables and salt in a large container. Add enough water to cover. Stir, cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours. I forgot about mine and left them in the fridge for 48 hours and they were just fine!
• Strain vegetables from brine, rinse and set aside.
• In the same bowl that you brined the vegetables in, add garlic and remaining seasonings.
• To that bowl, add the vinegars and stir until well whisked. Whisk the solution while adding the oils. (At this point you havea whole lot of very good Italian dressing!)
• Add back the strained vegetables and mix with the dressing until well coated.
• At this point the giardiniera can be transferred to clean jars. Refrigerate for 48 hours before serving so flavors have time to meld together.

HOT ITALIAN GIARDINIERA

Steps:

• Place into a bowl the green and red peppers, jalapenos, celery, carrots, onion, and cauliflower. Stir in salt, and fill with enough cold water to cover. Place plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the bowl, and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, drain salty water, and rinse vegetables. In a bowl, mix together garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and olives. Pour in vinegar and olive oil, and mix well. Combine with vegetable mixture, cover, and refrigerate for 2 days before using.

CHICAGO-STYLE HOT DOG GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• To make the giardiniera, combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt. Transfer to a heatproof bowl, let cool, and then let marinate in the liquid until serving. (The giardiniera will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.)
• To make the relish, combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped and incorporated.
• To cook the hot dogs, in a saucepan, combine the beer and hot dogs and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let the hot dogs cool in the beer. On a charcoal or gas grill or a stove-top grill pan, sear the hot dogs over high heat, turning as needed, until lightly charred.
• Line up half of the bread slices on a work surface. Top each slice with 1/8 of the cheese, 3 tablespoons pickle relish, 1/2 hot dog (2 pieces), 1/4 cup drained giardiniera, 2 tomato slices, and another 1/8 of the cheese. Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices.
• Line a large platter with paper towels. In a skillet over high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Turn down the heat to low, add 1 sandwich, and cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp on both sides and the cheese is melted. Transfer to the prepared platter to blot the excess grease. Repeat with the remaining butter and sandwiches.
• Cut the sandwiches in half, plate, and serve.

HOT ITALIAN GIARDINIERA

Steps:

• Place into a bowl the green and red peppers, jalapenos, celery, carrots, and onion.
• Stir in salt, and fill with enough cold water to cover.
• Place plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the bowl, and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, drain salty water, and rinse vegetables.
• In a bowl, mix together garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and olives.
• Pour in vinegar and olive oil, and mix well.
• Combine with vegetable mixture, cover, and refrigerate for 2 days before using.