Penang Shallot Relish Chung Gao Jai Recipes

GRILLED SAUSAGES WITH GRILLED SHALLOT RELISH WITH FRESH RICOTTA AND TOASTED BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high for direct grilling. Brush the sausages with some of the canola oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill, with the cover closed, until golden brown, slightly charred and just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• While the sausages are grilling, halve the shallots, leaving the skin on, and toss with a few tablespoons each of the canola oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put them on the grill and cook until charred and slightly softened. Cool slightly, remove the skins and chop.
• Heat the remaining canola oil in a saute pan on the grates of the grill until it begins to shimmer. Add the chopped shallots, remaining vinegar, honey, thyme and red pepper flakes and simmer, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the parsley.
• Arrange the cut sausage on a platter with a bowl of the fresh ricotta, the shallot relish and toasted bread. Serve the bread topped with a dollop of the ricotta, a few pieces of sausage and a spoonful of the relish, drizzled with honey and olive oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MOROCCAN SHALLOT RELISH

Steps:

• Combine the shallots, parsley, oil, and lemon juice in a mixing bowl and toss to mix. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss again. Correct the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, and lemon juice, if desired. The relish is best served within 2 hours of preparing.Makes about 1 cup enough to serve 4

MOROCCAN SHALLOT RELISH

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except salt and pepper in a bowl and toss to mix.
• Add salt and pepper and toss again.
• Best served within 2 hours of being made.

LEMONGRASS SAMBAL

Steps:

• 1. Place the lemongrass, shallots, garlic, chile, tomato with its juices, the ginger, turmeric, and palm sugar in a food processor. Process to a coarse paste. Add the Tamarind Water, sweet soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Process to blend.2. Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan over medium heat. Add the lemongrass mixture. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and very fragrant, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature before serving. This delicious sambal will keep, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week.Makes about 1 1/4 cups enough to serve 4 to 6

HAITIAN SLAW / PIKLIZ

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the dressing. Combine the vinegar, sour orange juice, salt, pepper, and cloves in a 2-quart crock, jar, or large nonreactive bowl. Whisk until the salt dissolves.2. Stir in the cabbage, carrots, celery, onion, scallions, garlic, and chiles. Cover the crock with plastic wrap and let the slaw pickle in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving. Stir several times to ensure even curing. The slaw can be made up to a week in advance store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.Serves 8 to 10

GEORGIAN PICKLES

Steps:

• 1. Combine the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a nonreactive saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the garlic, cilantro, dill, and hot peppers. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Correct the seasoning, adding sugar to taste.2. Meanwhile, trim the lettuce and cut into 1-inch wedges. Rinse the tomatoes and cucumbers under cold running water, blot dry with paper towels, and prick 5 to 6 times with a fork. Cut the watermelon, both rind and flesh, into 1-inch wedges. Divide the vegetables and melon among three clean 1-quart jars. Add enough cooled pickling mixture to cover. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the mixture in each jar to keep the vegetables submerged.3. Cover the jars, placing another piece of plastic wrap between the mouth of the jar and the lid. (The second piece of plastic wrap will prevent the vinegar from corroding the metal lid.) Let the vegetables pickle, in the refrigerator, for at least 3 days. The pickles will keep, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for several weeks.Makes about 3 quarts enough to serve 10 to 12

PINEAPPLE ACHAR

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon each fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar in an attractive bowl and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the pineapple and chile. Taste for seasoning, adding more fish sauce, lime juice, or sugar as necessary the mixture should be sweet, fruity, tart, and a little salty. Serve immediately.Makes about 3 cups enough to serve 6