Persian Sugar Pickled Garlic Food

PERSIAN SUGAR-PICKLED GARLIC

Steps:

• Separate garlic cloves, but do not peel.
• Place all ingredients in a large heavy-bottom saucepan.
• Bring to a boil; cook for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook 5 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Transfer to a large glass or ceramic jar large enough to hold garlic and the liquid.
• Tightly seal.
• Refrigerate at least 1 month before serving.
• The garlic improves with age for as long as 15 years.

LEMONGRASS PORK PICNIC SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the pork and marinade: Whisk together the oil, brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, shallot and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the pork chops and rub to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
• For the pickled vegetables: Meanwhile, combine the sugar, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over high heat. Remove from the heat and stir until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved. Add the vinegar and let cool for 10 minutes.
• Add the shallots, carrots and daikon to the saucepan and fully submerge, using a small plate to weigh them down if necessary, for at least 1 hour. (The pickled vegetables can be made up to a week in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container.)
• Heat a 2-burner cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat until evenly hot, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the pork chops from the marinade and discard any excess. Grill until dark brown, charred in spots and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• For the sandwich: Slice the boule in half horizontally. Remove some of the fluffy interior from both halves and reserve for breadcrumbs or another use. Spread the cut sides with the mayonnaise and sriracha. Layer the pork chops on the bottom half and sprinkle with the Maggi seasoning. Drain the pickled vegetables and layer them on top of the pork. Top with a layer of cucumbers, then jalapeños, then tomatoes. Fill the top half of the boule with the cilantro, then carefully flip to close the sandwich. Wrap the sandwich tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate with a cast-iron skillet on top. Add a few jars of whatever is already in your refrigerator to the skillet to help weigh it down. Let sit for at least 2 hours, up to overnight, for the flavors to marry.
• Unwrap the sandwich and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Cut into 8 wedges.

IRANIAN SUGAR PICKLED GARLIC

Steps:

• Place garlic cloves in a medium bowl, first cutting the large cloves in half. Mix in the red bell pepper.
• In a large saucepan over medium high heat, place the vinegar and white sugar. Place ground dry mustard and celery seed in the liquid mixture. Add salt and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and peppers. Continue boiling 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place garlic and peppers in sterile container to within 1 inch of the top. Fill with remaining liquid to within 1/4 inch from the top. Seal and store in the refrigerator approximately three weeks before serving.
• Note:.
• If you blanch the garlic you won't have to wait the whole three weeks.

LARA'S PERSIAN PICKLED GARLIC

Steps:

• Combine the water, vinegar, salt, peppercorns, coriander seed and ginger root in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil over high heat and then simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Place the garlic in a one quart glass jar and pour the slightly cooled brine over it. Cool to room temperature and cover tightly. Refrigerate for 3 days for a mildly pickled garlic or for up to 10 days for an intensely flavored one. Serve as a condiment with rich meat or as a selection in an assortment of mezes.