Ginger Pickled Garlic Food

HOMEMADE PICKLED GINGER (GARI)

Steps:

• Cut the ginger into chunks and place them into a bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt, stir to coat and let stand for about 30 minutes. Transfer the ginger to a clean jar.
• In a saucepan, stir together the rice vinegar and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, then pour the boiling liquid over the ginger root pieces in the jar.
• Allow the mixture to cool, then put the lid on the jar and store in the refrigerator for at least one week. You will see that the liquid will change to slightly pinkish in few minutes. Don't be alarmed because it's the reaction of rice vinegar that causes the change. Only quality rice vinegar can do that! Some commercial pickled ginger has red coloring added. Cut pieces of ginger into paper thin slices for serving.

PICKLED VEGETABLES WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup each cider vinegar and water, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 4 slices fresh ginger, 1 crushed garlic clove and 1 teaspoon peppercorns to a boil in a saucepan. Pour over 2 sliced Persian cucumbers, 1 sliced red bell pepper and 2 small sliced carrots. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.

GINGER-DILL PICKLES

Steps:

• Bring ginger, garlic, vinegar, sugar, salt, coriander seeds, and 2 cups water to a boil in a medium pot over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes.
• Place cucumbers and dill in a heatproof resealable container or jar (divide among several containers if necessary). Pour hot brining liquid over cucumbers and dill. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving.

PICKLED GINGER

Steps:

• Peel and thinly slice a 4-inch piece of ginger; put in a small jar. Pierce 1 or 2 Thai chiles with the tip of a knife; add to the jar. Bring 1/2 cup each rice vinegar and water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 star anise pods to a simmer in a saucepan; cook 5 minutes, then pour over the ginger and let cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 weeks.

GINGER PICKLED GARLIC

Steps:

• Peel the garlic and cut the larger cloves, so all the pieces are similar size.
• Combine all the ingredients in a pot, and bring them to boiling; cook for just 3 minutes.
• Scald the jars with boiling water.
• Put the garlic with ginger to the jars, and place them thickly.
• Pour some marinade into the jars, so it covers all the garlic.
• Close the jars tightly, and put them upside down for half an hour.
• Store at least two months before opening.

RED BRAISED GINGER PORK BELLY WITH PICKLED CHILLIES

Steps:

• Toss the pork with the soy and 1 tbsp of the rice wine. Leave for 1 hr or, even better, overnight in the fridge.
• Heat some of the oil in a medium heavy-based saucepan. Brown the meat, in batches, on both sides and set aside. Add a little more oil and cook the garlic, ginger and chilli for 2-3 mins until golden.
• Pour the vinegar, remaining rice wine, sugar and stock into the pan and bring to the boil. Add the pork, then turn down the heat, cover and simmer for 2 hrs or until the meat is tender. For the final 30 mins, remove the lid, increase the heat and let the liquid reduce until thick and syrupy. Serve scattered with the sesame seeds, spring onions and sliced chillies, with rice.