Kinda Sorta Sours Food

KINDA SORTA SOUR PICKLES

Steps:

• Combine onion and cucumber slices in a clean jar.
• Combine the remaining ingredients, with the exception of the garlic, in a non-reactive saucepan.
• Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 full minutes.
• Add the garlic cloves to the jar.
• Slowly pour the pickling liquid over the slices, filling to the top of the jar.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Top off the pickles with any remaining liquid and refrigerate at least overnight.

CLOTTED CREAM

Steps:

• Set a coffee filter basket, lined with a filter, in a strainer, over a bowl. Pour the cream almost to the top of the filter. Refrigerate for 2 hours. The whey will sink to the bottom passing through the filter leaving a ring of clotted cream. Scrape this down with a rubber spatula and repeat every couple of hours until the mass reaches the consistency of soft cream cheese.

CHRISTMAS TREE SOURS

Steps:

• Make the cordial: Bring 4 cups water, 1 1/2 cups superfine sugar, the zest of 2 lemons, the juice of 5 lemons and 7 ounces spruce or fir needles to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 2 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, repeating to remove all the needles; let cool. Make the drinks: Combine 1/3 cup each sparkling water and bourbon, 3 tablespoons of the cordial, the juice of 2 limes and 3 dashes bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into 2 ice-filled glasses and garnish with spruce or fir sprigs. Refrigerate the remaining cordial for up to 2 weeks.