Crunchy green beans go Japanese
when wasabi, soy sauce and ginger
are added to the pickling brine.
Photo: Rick's Picks
First, full disclosure: Rick Field is good friend who turned a passion for pickling into Rick’s Picks, a thriving –you guessed it—gourmet pickle business.
OK, that’s done. Now let me mention a few favorites: Phat Beets (pickled beets in rosemary-scented brine), Smokra (pickled okra with smoked paprika) and the new Heat Seekers (spicy pickled jalapenos with orange blossom honey). Not to mention his Dad’s amazing pickled green cherry tomatoes—they aren’t in the product line, but you can get the recipe right here on SpiceLines.
If you’re in a pickling mood, you can watch Rick make Windy City Wasabeans, a hugely popular variety which has twice won Best of Show at the International Pickle Festival in Rosendale, NY. Adding wasabi, soy sauce and ginger to the brine, Rick makes the whole pickling thing look easy on this video from Whole Foods Secret Ingredient, a weekly cooking “show” posted on the store’s blog. Go here to see the printed recipe.
A few serving suggestions: “…in a zesty Nicoise salad, as a Bloody Mary garnish, wrapped in salami as a appetizer, or chopped and mixed in tuna salad.” Rick says you can use the leftover brine to marinate chicken and tofu.
Or you could just eat them out of the jar.
if you like Rick, then you’ll want to see him making Spears of Influence (dill pickles in cumin-flavored brine) with Martha Stewart.
And to find authentic wasabi, go to Global Province’s Best of Class. Scroll down to item 402.
Comments (3)
I heartily recommend the phat beets and smokra! They're like nothing I've ever tasted. The phat beets have a great spice to them with just a hint of vinegar. I'm smacking my lips as I write this.
Posted by jason | March 4, 2009 10:12 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 22:12
Jasan is right. those are both winners. even if his smacking is a bit over the top. rick has made his mark with vegetables such as beans, okra, and beets
Posted by Global Province | March 5, 2009 9:44 AM
Posted on March 5, 2009 09:44
Of course lip smacking is a reflection of personal taste. Why just tonight, Domino was smacking her lips over a bowl of Moroccan harira. You just never know....
Posted by Courtenay | March 5, 2009 8:58 PM
Posted on March 5, 2009 20:58