Italian Relish Food

GIARDINIERA - ITALIAN PICKLED VEGETABLE RELISH

Steps:

• Mix all the vegetables together and place in a glass bowl or jar.
• Pour in the salt.
• Add enough water to cover the vegetables and salt.
• Stir to combine.
• Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or overnight.
• After the soaking period is over, pour off the water and rinse the vegetables to remove any excess salt.
• Place vegetables in a clean glass bowl or jar.
• In a separate bowl whisk the spices, vinegar, and olive oil together.
• Pour vinegar, spices, and oil mixture over the vegetables.
• Seal tight.
• Invert the jar a few times to mix everything together.
• Store in the refrigerator for 48 hours.
• This will keep for 3 weeks if it lasts that long.

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.

CAPONATA (ITALIAN EGGPLANT RELISH)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the pine nuts on a baking sheet and place in the oven to toast for 3-4 minutes. Watch closely as they can burn quickly. Remove from oven and set aside. Place the cubed eggplant in a colander and sprinkle generously with salt. Let stand at least 1/2 hour. Rinse well under cold water, drain, and pat dry with paper towels. Heat the oil in a deep heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and cook until tender, stirring as needed, until light golden brown. Remove the eggplant and set aside. Add the garlic and onions to the pan and cook until soft. Add the peppers, celery, tomatoes, and browned eggplant and let cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, uncovered. Mix the sugar and red wine vinegar together (the sugar may not fully dissolve). Add it to the vegetable mixture and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until thick. Stir in the capers, olives, and anchovies and let cook 3-5 more minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the basil, parsley, and toasted pine nuts. Serve hot, cold, or at room temperature.

ITALIAN RELISH TRAY

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, chili powder, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Slice fennel into wedges, Roll salami into batons. Arrange all itenms on a large platted. Drizzle with olive oil mixture.
• Serve with artisan crackers or loaf of Italian bread.

ITALIAN RELISH

Steps:

• Finely chop first 5 ingredients.
• Bring remaining ingredients to a boil. Pour boiling liquid over chopped ingredients.
• Refrigerate. Best if made at least 24 hours before serving.
• Will keep for a month in tightly covered jar.

RED PEPPER TRIANGLES WITH ITALIAN RELISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Cut tops and bottoms from peppers, then half lengthwise. Use a chef's knife to remove ribs and seeds. Cut peppers into rectangular planks, each about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide, then cut diagonally into 24 triangles.
• On prepared sheet, toss bell pepper with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange skin-side down in a single layer and bake until just tender, 15 to 20 minutes; set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine prosciutto, parsley, olives, remaining tablespoon oil, lemon zest and juice, and red-pepper flakes. Top each pepper triangle with relish.

HOMEMADE GIARDINIERA

Steps:

• Mix 2 c water with the salt and stir until dissolved. Add the carrot slices, cauliflower, celery, bell peppers, and serranos. Mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Drain and rinse the vegetables.
• In a clean bowl, mix oil and vinegar with the garlic and oregano. Add the vegetables to the seasoned oil and mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 3 days to marinate.
• After 3 days in the bowl, transfer the vegetables to a quart jar, pour as much of the seasoned oil/vinegar mixture in as you need to cover the vegetables.
• The mixture will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.

ITALIAN ROASTED RED PEPPER RELISH

Steps:

• To a small saucepan, add the olive oil over medium low heat. Add the whole garlic clove and cook until it is evenly brown. Remove the garlic from the oil, keep 1 tablespoon of the oil. Save the rest for salad dressing.
• To a blender or food processor, add the red peppers, garlic, pepper rings, basil, pulse until chopped. Mix the vinegar and sugar together and add to the blender along with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil from the browning of the garlic. Blend until combined, but not smooth.
• Transfer to well sealed containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the giardiniera: Combine the carrots, pepperoncini, jalapeños, roasted red peppers, olive oil, pepperoncini liquid, garlic powder and pepper in a bowl. Toss well, then set aside.
• For the beef: Remove the sirloin from the freezer and, using a mandoline or a sharp knife, cut into very thin strips against the grain. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saute pan. Add the beef and sauté until starting to brown, but still pink, about 2 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and garlic, then cook for 30 seconds. Add the broth and vinegar, then bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat.
• Place 3 slices of provolone on each roll. Top with the hot beef. Sprinkle with some of the giardiniera. Serve with extra broth on the side for dipping.

GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH ITALIAN RELISH

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
• Prepare barbeque (medium heat). Arrange pork chops in 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Drain liquid from relish; spoon liquid over pork. Let pork marinate at least 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Grill pork until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
• Transfer pork to plates. Spoon relish over and serve.

ITALIAN RELISH TRAY

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil. sherry vinegar, chili powder and parsley and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Slice fennel into wedges and wash cherry tomatoes. Roll salami slices into batons.
• Drain all jarred ingredients well. Arrange all items as desired on a large platter. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature with bread and/or crackers.