Although my partner grumbles and complains to high heaven about the smell while I am making kimchi, he usually eats it up and wants more. I have taken out the chilis for this recipe of kimchi and added in burdock root, so it isn’t by any means an authentic Korean kimchi, but we like it. It also makes a quick salad when added to steamed broccoli and sunflower seeds, then tossed in olive oil.

Makes about 2 quart jars (depending on size of cabbage)

Brine:

• 1 litre filtered water
• 4 T himalayan or sea salt

Vegetables:

• 1 medium napa cabbage, shredded
• 6 medium organic carrots, grated
• 1 large daikon radish, julienned
• 3 medium burdock roots, julienned

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Many years ago while doing a study abroad program in Morocco, we spent a lot of time eating the best bread and apricot jam I have ever had. We ate it for breakfast, lunch and even just for a snack.

This last week our local farmers market was chock full of tasty sun-ripened apricots. I bought a bunch and made a delicious apricot jam. Unfortunately, it rained non-stop and I was unable to finish it in the sun, but if you have the opportunity to do so, your jam will be better than you imagine. Apricots are full of vitamin A and potassium among other things. BC Apricots are amazing!

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Rose hips can easily be made into a vitamin C rich tasty spread. I make this recipe with dates and apples to sweeten the rose hips. It is best to cook rose hips even though heat breaks down vitamin C. There is also an enzyme in rose hips that also breaks down vitamin C very quickly which is neutralized by heat. Therefore it is important to cook the rosehips long enough but not too long!

I like this method because it can take a really long time to clean rose hips individually and remove the hairs and seeds from them. Simmering them and then straining them through a moulie or sieve helps this process to go faster.

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This dip is generally served with Swedish gravad lax, but is good on crackers or as a dressing for salads.

• 6 T olive oil
• 4 t cider vinegar
• 3 t mustard (powdered)
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t honey
• pinch of pepper

Method: Mix mustard, salt and cider vinegar together. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking quickly, blend the oil into the mustard. Add honey and pepper to taste.

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Apple sauce! Everyone knows how to make it, I have found a way to do it with minimum processing and I love to add lots of spices to my apple sauce. This is great for Almond Pancakes or for Apple Sauce Souffle.

• 5 lb organic apples
• water to cover the bottom of the pan
• vanilla pod
• 1 inch ginger root, sliced
• 1 stick cinnamon bark
• 4-5 cloves, whole
• 4-5 cardamom pods, whole
• 4 black peppercorns
• 2 handfuls of pitted dates

Method: Cut the apples into quarters and core them. Add water to cover the bottom of the pan and the spices and vanilla pod. Allow to simmer covered until the apples are very soft (I let mine simmer on low for a few hours, the smell of apples cooking lowers blood pressure and smells fantastic). When the apples are nearly ready add the dates and cook until soft.

Let the apples cool and then peel the skin from the apples and remove all of the whole spices. Mash the apples with a potato masher or moulie. This combination of spices gives the apple sauce a chai flavor.

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I never knew I could like liver until I had paté! Fantastic stuff, especially if you have the right combination of spices and a touch of lime or something sour. This recipe uses the wonderful combination of onions, garlic and ginger that I love so much from Burmese and other Asian dishes. Mix and match spices to find your own favorite combinations, and don’t be afraid to use a heavy hand when flavoring it up!

• 1 lb liver
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/2 head garlic, pounded
• 2 inches ginger, pounded
• fat for frying (lard, olive oil, butter etc)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 Tablespoons ground coriander
• 1/2 – 1 c butter, soft
• 1 – 2 limes juice
• salt and pepper to taste

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This recipe has developed over the years from Sally Fallon’s recipe for raisin chutney in her wonderful cookbook Nourishing Traditions.

• 3 c organic raisins
• 1 t red chili flakes
• 1/2 head garlic, crushed
• 2 T coriander seeds
• 1 T cumin seeds
• 4-5 cloves
• 1 T fenugreek seeds
• 2-3 cardamom pods (remove shell)
• 1 T black mustard seeds
• 1 T black peppercorns
• 1 t ground turmeric
• 2 inches ginger, grated
• 2 t Himalayan salt (sea salt)
• 1/4 c whey
• 1/2 c non-chlorinated water

Method: Soak raisins in warm water for at least an hour. Peel and pound ginger and garlic in a mortar and pestle. Place the whole spices in a pan and dry roast until the aroma rises from the pan. Process until well ground.

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I am about to make another batch of this delicious mustard. I was surprised to find that I haven’t posted this recipe yet as it is one of my favorites. The cream cheese helps to preserve the pungency of the mustard, making a delicious condiment which is also a probiotic if made with home-made cream cheese as shown in this quick video.

Amounts are variable and according to personal taste. Warning! I like my mustard so pungent it clears out my sinuses with every taste, so you may want to start with less ground mustard and add more tasting it to decide how you like it as you go.

• 1T – 2T ground mustard (I like to use Colemans)
• 1/2 c (or more) home-made cream cheese
• 1 small handful dates (soaked in hot water and mashed)
• 1/2 t turmeric
• 1t ground coriander seeds
• 1/2 t ground cloves
• 1t ground fenugreek seeds
• 1t apple cider vinegar
• salt

Method: Put the mustard powder in little water and mix it around, let it sit about 5 minutes. Boil some water and pour over dates, cover and let sit about 5 minutes, then mash them up to a puree.

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Now here is a great alternative for cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, especially if you like the flavors of Asia this is modeled on Sally Fallon’s raisin chutney recipe in Nourishing Traditions.

• 1 lb (500g) fresh dates (pitted)
• 1 lb (500g) fresh cranberries
• 1 t red chili flakes
• 1/2 head garlic, crushed
• 2 T coriander seeds
• 1 T cumin seeds
• 1 T anise seeds
• 1 T fenugreek seeds
• 5 black peppercorns
• 2 inches ginger, grated
• 2 t sea salt
• 1/4 c whey
• 1/2 c water

Method: Cook cranberries with water until soft. Add dates and mash. Peel and pound ginger and garlic in a morter and pestle. Place the spices in a pan and dry roast until the aroma rises from the pan. Process until well ground.

Mix the date and cranberries with the spices, ginger and garlic, add the salt and whey. Place in jars, pour in enough whey to cover the top of the chutney. Let stand about 2 days in a warm spot in your kitchen. Transfer to fridge and eat within 2 months.

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Lacto-fermentation is actually safer than canning for the inexperienced beginner as there is less chance of contamination with unwanted bacteria and asparagus are high in inulin which lactobacilli love to eat.

• 1 kg asparagus
• 4 dried chili peppers (optional)
• 6 cloves garlic, sliced
• 10 black peppercorns, crushed
• 1/2 cup Himalayan crystal salt or kosher salt
• 2 liters water

Method Wash and trim asparagus, if the asparagus is fat and tough, peel the skin. Layer asparagus spears, chili peppers, garlic, peppercorns in a large glass jar (use canning jars with a good seal). Dissolve the salt in the water. Pour the brine over, being sure the asparagus is submerged. Add more water if necessary. Weigh everything down with a plate, stone or a zip-lock bag filled with water. Put in a cool place out of direct sunlight. I usually put a plate or muslin cloth over the top to keep out dust and other unwanted additions.

In a couple days you will see tiny bubbles rising. Skim off any scum that forms on top of the brine. The pickles will be ready in 10-14 days depending on the temperature. The bubbling will stop and the beans will taste sour. Remove the weight skim again, put the lid on and refrigerate or put into a cool cellar for storage.

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