Sharp Dark Mustard Recipes

Steps:

• In a small, microwave-proof bowl whisk together the dry mustard, brown sugar, salt, turmeric, paprika and garlic powder. In a separate container, combine the pickle juice, water and cider vinegar and have standing by. Place the mustard seed into a spice grinder and grind for a minimum of 1 minute, stopping to pulse occasionally. Once ground, immediately add the mustard to the bowl with the dry ingredients and add the liquid mixture. Whisk to combine. Place the bowl into the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and puree with a stick blender for 1 minute. Pour into a glass jar or container and allow to cool uncovered. Once cool, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• Grind the mustard seeds to a powder, I use a coffee grinder.
• In a ceramic or glass bowl mix the mustard powder with the water and leave for half an hour.
• Then add the flour with the cayenne (if using) mix well.
• Add vinegar, whisky, honey, nutmeg, salt and mix until well blended.
• Cover and leave overnight.
• Next day: if it looks too dry add more honey, so far the times I made it it never looked too dry but sometimes too thin and I add another spoon of flour, the mustard will thicken a bit more the next weeks so keep that in mind.
• Pour into sterilized jars and seal, allow to mature/mellow for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool dark place.
• After opening keep in the fridge.

Steps:

• Slice the Cheddar in neat tablets slightly smaller than the saltines. Slice the onion into thin crescent moons (not half-moons), cutting from root to shoot ends so the ribs fall apart more easily, are shorter and, therefore, more manageable to chew and swallow.
• Heat the oil in a deep-sided sauté pan over medium-high to 350 degrees. Stick a wooden chopstick in the oil to see if it sizzles. If it does, it's ready. Fry the saltines in 3 quick batches, adjusting the heat as needed, using a spider or a slotted spoon to swirl them around a little and to make sure they cook evenly to golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Drain on a wire rack until cool. They keep for a week in an airtight container.
• Set the crackers, cheese and onion on a platter to serve with mustard in a ramekin.