cooking essentials: andy’s devine pickle brine

How To Make cooking essentials: andy’s devine pickle brine

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  PREP/PREPARE
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  Storage of Homemade Condiments, Spices, and Brines Because homemade spices and condiments do not contain any preservatives, it is important to store them properly. Non-reactive (glass) containers with tight-fitting lids are a must. If I am making a dry spice, I love to use old spice bottles that I have run through the dishwasher. If I am doing homemade sauces, I love using Weck jars. They are all glass, come in all sizes and shapes, and have excellent leakproof lids. If you shop online, you can go to Amazon, and type in “Weck Jars” and you will find a ton of them. Dry spices should be kept in a cool space, away from sunlight (spice cabinet), and sauces/brines, in most cases, should be stored in the fridge. If properly stored in the fridge, this brine should last 7 – 10 days. If stored in the freezer, like frozen in an ice cube tray, it should last several months.
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  Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
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  Add the brine ingredients to a saucepan, over medium heat.
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  Simmer the ingredients (not boil) for about 15 minutes.
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  Remove from the heat and rest for about an hour or two.
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  Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, into non-reactive containers, and store in fridge or freezer until needed.
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  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Here are some ideas on how to use Pickle Brine:
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  Make Dill Pickles Well, it is a dill brine after all. Deviled Eggs Mix into potato salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, or macaroni salad to add moisture and a flavor boost. Sauces and Dressings. Replace some of the vinegar in a salad dressing, dress slaw with it, and tartar sauce could always use some. Brine Chicken or Pork Drizzle it on grilled fish. Marinate beef with it. Pickle juice tenderizes meat in a yummy, tasteful way. Boil Whole Potatoes It seasons them nicely but the acid in the juice keeps the surfaces intact over a longer simmer, while the insides gets nice and creamy. Pickle Pops Freeze the juice in ice cube trays (which can go into a Bloody Mary) or popsicle molds. Drink It Straight, or On The Rocks Sipping a cold PJ after a long run, or just on a hot day, or when hungover is an effective way to replace lost electrolytes and sodium. Throw It into a Bloody Mary Take a shot of pickle juice after a shot of whiskey. Picklebacks! Nothing de-whiskies the mouth like that salty, briny green juice. Kick up Store-Bought BBQ Sauce Liven it up by adding pickle juice to taste by the tablespoonful. Mac & Cheese Macaroni & cheese benefit from a dash of pickle juice. Kick Up Gazpacho Use it in place of vinegar in gazpacho (or anything, really). Use Over Fish If your fish or veggies need a lift, drizzle a bit of the brine over them. Poach Fish An easy and flavorful way to poach fish? Use pickle brine. Add a Bit to Meatloaf As if your meatloaf recipe didn't have enough condiments in it already, throw some pickle juice into the mix. Clean Copper Don't want to consume it? Copper pans are a. you-know-what to clean, but you can make them sparkle by cleaning them with pickle juice. In the Garden Weeds are a bummer, so banish them from your garden by dousing them with pickle juice. All that vinegar and salt does a job on them.
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  Post-Workout Drink Drinking pickle juice after an intense workout can help prevent muscle cramps. It also contains electrolytes (even more than most sports drinks!) that can help you stay hydrated. Heartburn Remedy Take a few sips of pickle juice to help reduce heartburn. Laxative Drink a small glass of pickle juice to help gently ease constipation. Upset Stomach Drink a small glass of pickle juice to help with general “upset tummy” symptoms. It can help with digestion, which usually clears up low-grade stomach discomfort. Hiccup Stopper Some people swear by drinking pickle juice as a cure for hiccups. How About Some Cheese Marinate soft white cheese in pickle juice for a tangy twist.
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  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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