Sweet Bay Peppercorn Shrub Recipes

Steps:

• Place the citrus peels in a medium bowl or a large jar. Add the sugar, peppercorns, salt, thyme, cloves and bay leaves.
• Use a muddler or the end of a rolling pin to muddle the mixture together, working the sugar mixture into the peels until the peels begin to express their oils and start to turn slightly translucent. Set aside at room temperature for at least 6 hours or overnight. Much of the sugar should be dissolved, and the citrus peels will be mostly translucent.
• Juice the reserved lemons and grapefruit. (You should have about 1¼ cups juice.) Add the juice to the mixture and stir (or cover and shake the jar) until the sugar and salt dissolve. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the solids and transfer to an airtight container. The shrub can be stored, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the Sweet Bay-Peppercorn Shrub, lemon juice and bitters, if using. Cover and shake until well chilled. Strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass, and top with soda water and tonic. Finish with the lemon twist.

Steps:

• Core and vein the peppers. Cut the flesh into very thin strips about 1 1/2 inches in length. There should be about 2 cups.
• Set aside. Scrape the kernels from the corn. There should be about one cup.
• Set aside.
• Heat the oil and butter in a skillet and add the scallions, peppers and corn. Sprinkle with cumin, salt, pepper and garlic. Cook, shaking the skillet and stirring, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Spoon the mixture into a warm serving dish.