I love having a selection of condiments in my refrigerator to add depth to my meals. One of the easiest things that you can prepare is a simple bottle of pickled red onions. I use them on salads, on top of chili or curry or in sandwiches. My grandkids devour them.
Ingredients
- 2 large red onions, sliced very thinly
- 250 ml (1 cup) cider or white wine vinegar
- 250 mL (1 cup) white sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard seed
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- ½ teaspoon turmeric (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Directions
Slice the onions very thinly. I use a mandoline, but you can use a knife or food processor. Drain, rinse under the cold tap and drain thoroughly.
Bring the remaining ingredients to the boil in a stainless steel saucepan. When the mixture is at a rolling boil, add the onions. Reduce the heat, bring just to the simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Pour hot into sterilized jars, making sure the liquid covers the onions.
And here is the finished product. They last for months in the refrigerator.
**Variation
This is a basic sweet pickle recipe, you can add lots of colour and texture by including other ingredients, a few slices of pepper (sweet or hot), cauliflower, thinly sliced carrot.
If you use cucumber, slice and cover with 1 tablespoon of salt, for about three hours. Rinse well, and follow the directions.
If you want to give them as a gift, or store them on a shelf, they need to be water bathed.
