Are you ready for a savory taste sensation on your burger unlike any ketchup you’ve had? When I had the idea for a fermented “Caribbean” banana ketchup, it was just one of my weird ideas. But as with just about everything, it turned out that it IS a thing and […]
Recent Posts
Pineapple Kkakdugi (Kimchi) & Pineapple Kimchi Hot Sauce
That’s right! This post is for two – count ’em – two pineapple kimchi recipes. The cubed pineapple kimchi (kkakdugi) is so delicious, you’ll be lucky if you can resist eating it all before the blending stage to make it an epic sauce. Kkakdugi normally is the cubed, firm & […]
Pomegranate Syrup (Grenadine)
It doesn’t get much easier than this classic bar syrup. Mix equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar, bring to a boil, stir until the sugar is dissolved, then simmer down at a medium-low temp, uncovered, until it’s a syrup… about 30 minutes. That’s it! While still warm or hot, transfer […]
Phocumber: Sweet ‘n Sour Pho-Spiced Vinegar Pickles
I always had trouble coming up with a name for these, like my Phokra and Phomato. A mix of the word pho and pickles – Phockles – (pronounced “Fuckles” since pho is pronounced “fuh”) just never sat right. This is my update: Phocumber! Sure, it sounds like Fuck Umber, but […]
Fermented Baba Ganoush
Right now it is high season for eggplants in my garden. I mostly grill them to be on the healthy side, but I prefer the flavors and texture of tempura or panko-crusted fried eggplants, especially with a dip of ranch dressing mixed with my fermented sriracha sauce. Probably my favorite […]
Who Wants a Hot Date?! (Fermented Mole Sauce with Honey-Fermented Dates)
Like mole, this sauce relies heavily on dried peppers. They can indeed be used in fermentation, but you need sources of fresh produce in there – I advise roughly 50% – in order to provide the healthy bacteria that makes fermentation possible. Although the sweetness of traditional mole comes in […]
Homemade Celery Soda
As a kid growing up in south Florida surrounded by Jewish delis, my older brother introduced me early on to Dr. Brown’s sodas, including the unique “Cel-Ray” soda and I’ve enjoyed it since. This soda has been a staple in Jewish delicatessens for almost a hundred years, and was first […]
Cucumber + Lemon Balm + Lime Soda (Ginger Bug)
It’s the balm, yo! This ginger bug soda is delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day, but it might be even better as a mixer with my cucumber vodka and a touch of lemon balm syrup. This recipe just deals with making the ginger bug soda. Once you make […]
Cucumber Vodka / Ginger Bug Cocktail Recipe
Infusing your vodka or other spirits with fruit, veggie, and/or herbal flavors is about as easy as placing it in your vodka for a week. Just make sure to strain it after. Each summer, I’m on a mission to make as many cucumber pickles as I can from my garden […]
Pho Reuben Sandwich
Writing this post feels pretty cathartic for me. Although loading up a Reuben sandwich and frying it on a pan is pretty darn straightforward, this post is the culmination of many different pho-spiced Reuben components I developed over a month. If you want to see how I personally prepare & […]