British Picalilli Recipes

Steps:

• Combine cauliflower, onion, carrots, cucumber, beans, and salt in a large bowl and toss well. Leave for 24 hours.
• The next day, rinse vegetables thoroughly in several changes of cold water. Drain well in a colander for 30 minutes.
• Inspect eight 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until picalilli is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine flour, curry powder, turmeric, mustard powder, and ginger in a large pot. Gradually stir in 1/2 the vinegar, blending well until a smooth paste without lumps forms. Add remaining vinegar and sugar, mix well, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously. Cook until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Add vegetable mixture and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Pack picalilli into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 5 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all).
• Leave for 1 month, to allow picalilli to mature, before eating.

Steps:

• Dissolve the salt in the water, and add the cucumber, onions and cauliflower. Cover and leave for 24 hours. Drain the vegetables.
• In a large pan, blend the sugar, mustard and ginger with 5 cups of vinegar. Stir in salt and vegetable mixture, bring to the boil, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Blend the flour and turmeric with the remaining 1 cup of vinegar and stir into the cooked vegetables. Bring to the boil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour into sterilized canning jars.
• In a large stock pot, pour water half way to top with boiling water. Using a holder, carefully lower jars into pot. Leave a 2-inch space between jars. Add more boiling water to cover them, about 2 inches above the tops. Bring to a boil and cover, processing for 15 minutes. Remove jars from pot. Put jars on a wood or cloth surface, several inches apart and allow to cool. Jars will be sealed.

Steps:

• Put the veg in a bowl and toss with 2 tbsp sea salt. Leave, covered at room temperature, for 4 hrs. Drain the veg and wash well under cold water. Drain well.
• Put 100ml of the vinegar in a bowl with the mustard powder, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric and flour. Mix well to make a paste.
• Heat the remaining 500ml vinegar, sugar, bay leaves and a pinch of salt until the sugar dissolves, then pour in the mustard vinegar mix, simmering and stirring for 5 mins until the mixture thickens. Fold in the drained veg, heat for 1 min taking the edge off the veg, but still retaining a bite, then remove from the heat, and pack into three 500ml warm sterilised jars. Seal and leave in a cool dark spot for six weeks or up to three months before opening. Once open, keep in the fridge and use within four weeks.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line each hole of a 12-hole muffin tin with a thin strip of baking parchment across the middle that's long enough so the ends stick out a centimetre or two - use a dab of butter to stick in place. Roll out two thirds of the pastry on a lightly floured surface and stamp out 12 x 10cm circles (you may need to re-roll trimmings). Press a circle into each hole to line.
• Sprinkle 1 tsp of breadcrumbs into the base of each pie. Tip the rest of the crumbs into a mixing bowl. Squeeze in the sausage meat, discarding the skins, along with the bacon, mace, pepper, sage and just a little salt. Get your hands in and mash and squish everything together until the breadcrumbs have just about disappeared. Divide mixture between the holes, packing in firmly and shaping to a dome in the middle.
• Roll out the remaining pastry and stamp out 12 x 7cm circles. Brush with a little egg and add a top to each pie, egg-side down to stick, carefully pressing pastry edges together to seal. Brush with more egg (don't throw away leftovers) and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 30 mins until golden then carefully remove the pies from the tin, using the parchment ends to help you lift them out. Sit on a parchment lined baking tray, brush all round the sides with more egg and put back in the oven for 8 mins. Cool completely then eat with piccalilli, or your favourite pickle.

Steps:

• First you need to make a salt brine.
• In a bowl large enough to hold the water and all the vegetables, dissolve the salt in the water.
• Add all the vegetables and capers.
• Put a plate onto the vegetables to make sure they stayed submerged in the brine.
• Cover and keep in the fridge for 24 hours.
• Place the two vinegars, pickling spice and sugar into a large stainless steel pan.
• Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and cook for 15 minutes.
• Leave to cool.
• The next day: remove the brine and vegetables from the fridge, drain and rinse the vegetables well.
• Place the rinsed vegetables into a pan, cover with cold water.
• Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
• Cook for 10 minutes, reduce the heat and simmer for ten minutes, drain and leave to one side.
• In another pan, melt the butter, add the flour and stir thoroughly.
• Cook gently for 5 minutes taking care not to burn the flour.
• Strain the spiced vinegar and slowly add to the butter and flour, cook for 2 - 3 minutes or until thickened.
• Add the turmeric, mustard powder and black pepper stir well.
• You should now have a brightly colored, thick sauce.
• Pour the thick sauce over the drained vegetables and stir well making sure all the vegetables are coated in the sauce.
• Pour into sterilized jars and seal.
• Keep for at least one week before opening (preferably longer but the temptation to try it may be too strong).
• Once opened the jars must be kept in the refrigerator, unopened the jars will keep for at least six months in a dark, cool place.