Yogurt is milk that has undergone fermentation by certain strains of bacteria. Making yogurt at home from scratch is very simple and only requires milk (pasteurised is fine) and a yogurt culture which is available in many store-bought natural yogurts already. Once you have a yogurt made you can then reuse a little from your first batch …
When preserving food in jars it is important to maintain a high level of cleanliness. Sterilizing jars is important to ensure not only there is no bacteria in the jar that could potentially spoil the contents but also the heat of the jar is also needed to maintain a good seal. Here is the lowdown …
Cheese and apple chutney, this is a classic food pairing. Whether it is in a sandwich or with biscuits and crackers, chutney cuts through the richness of the cheese and provides a tangy, sweet counterbalance. This apple and onion chutney is my go-to choice for a cheese sandwich and it is so easy to make …
Vinegar plays a big role in not only preserving but also in all types of cooking. Acidity is a vital part of balancing a dish. It is something we all take for granted, picking up a bottle of vinegar and adding a splash over a salad or a glug into a pan after sweating down …
Many of the preserve recipes that you find here and elsewhere call for an ingredient called “pickling spice”. Whether it is in a brine for curing corned beef, fermenting vegetables or pickles and chutneys, there are so many recipes that say to add pickling spice. The question is, however, what is pickling spice? In this …
Making your own corned beef or salt beef is so easy, it’s fascinating how something so simple as soaking a piece of beef in brine can completely transform it. Curing your own corned beef is something you really should try, it is a firm favourite in my house year round. Corned Beef or Salt Beef …
There are many foods that can be preserved by dehydration. The method in which you dehydrate food isn’t going to alter the flavour or the shelf life of the food (if done properly) so does it matter what method you use to dry the food out? In this post, we will cover some of the …
If you have ever made jam before you may have had the problem of getting it to set properly. You might have seen jam sugar or gelling sugar at the supermarket and wondered whether you should be using that instead of normal sugar. The simple answer is that jam sugar will make your jams set …
Jams and Jellies are one of the simplest ways to preserve fruit as well as some vegetables. Almost any fruit is ripe for making a jam or jelly and the good thing about it is you don’t need a lot of equipment or supplies to get started. You can make store quality jams and jellies, …
Sweet, salty and tart combine in these addictive pickled cucumbers. These pickles are great on top of burgers, with bread, butter and cheese or served with cold meats. The origins of the name bread and butter pickle isn’t completely agreed upon. There are sources that say the name come about because at some point the …