Sage Mustard

Recently one of the Down to Earth Simple Living Forum members mentioned that she had just made Sage Mustard. I was intrigued so asked for the recipe which looked quite simple and easy to make so I thought I would give it a try.

This recipe is based on one in Digby Law's Pickle and Chutney Cookbook and calls for both yellow and brown mustard seeds. I had never seen brown mustard seeds before but was told that they were available at Indian grocery stores so I was able to buy some there. However, they had no yellow mustard seeds.  Yellow mustard seeds are normally readily available in the supermarkets but, you wouldn't believe it, I couldn't find any in the shops when I went looking. The CEO checked out a few supermarkets for me as well when he was out and about but couldn't find any either. Finally, after roaming around five supermarkets and three Indian grocery stores I finally found some in an Asian food shop. Unbelievable!

 

So, armed with my mustard seeds and the rest of the ingredients I set to work.

SAGE MUSTARD

200g yellow mustard seeds
100g brown mustard seeds
20 whole cloves
2 tbsp. chopped fresh sage (or whatever herb you want)
3/4 cup parsley sprigs
5 cm piece of ginger, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/3 cup honey (I used 1/3 cup Rice Malt Syrup)
2 tsp salt
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup olive oil

In a blender or small food processor, combine the mustard seeds and blend until well chopped. Put in a bowl. In the blender, combine the cloves, herbs, ginger, garlic, honey and salt, and blend until finely chopped. While blending, slowly add the vinegar and oil. Mix with the mustard seeds, stir until well combined, and cover and leave overnight.

Next day, pour into small jars. (You can add more oil and vinegar if the mix is dry). This mixture filled three Masterfoods bottles and two slightly larger bottles.

The mixture won't taste good when you first make it - don't give up and toss it out. It needs to mature so leave it for a month or so before opening.  

Here in Australia, Anzac Day was commemorated yesterday.  On that day we remember those who  fought so bravely so that we can have peace in our country. It is a very sad day for many families who lost loved ones while fighting on foreign soil. My grandfather almost ended up at Gallipoli but the troop ship he was on, which was on its way there, was diverted elsewhere for some reason. He survived the war thankfully but he never spoke about it...like a lot of other men.

I bought a tin of ANZAC biscuits as it was the 100 year anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli but wasn't going to eat any as I have pretty well cut out sugar. However, it has been suggested on the I Quit Sugar website to have something sugary and see how it tastes so I ate two and was just amazed at how sweet the biscuits were so obviously one's taste buds do change over time.  I am happy for the menfolk to finish them off and I can add the tin to my collection.

I will leave you with another of my photo experiments. I have no idea why, when I take a photo of a flower which is in the centre of the screen, that it ends up being on the side when I look at it later and then I have to crop it. I guess I will find out eventually.

Have a great week everyone!