Pages

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Block Print Blunders, and Tasty Food

IMG_3580
Here's a project that I've been working on. I just realized that I've made a goofy smiley face in the middle of it, so I'm considering a redesign...

I've been so busy today, working hard. The 20 lbs. of saurkraut was finished fermenting in my unheated front room, so I pulled out my huge crock and filled up every container I could find with lovely golden crunchy kraut. I didn't have anyone to take photos, so there's no photographic evidence, here and here are a couple of posts that show some of my fermenting adventures in the past.

And in case you're hankering to make your own here's my super simple recipe:

5lbs of cabbage, preferably local and fresh, sliced as thin as you can (a mandoline is perfect for this)

3 Tbs. pickling salt, sea salt, or fine kosher salt

Mix them in a container, an earthenware crock if you've got it, or a food grade plastic bucket, or even mason jars. Fill up a sturdy freezer ziploc bags with a brine made of 1 gallon of water to 3 Tbs. salt and stuff on top of the container to weigh down your saurkraut under the brine that will be pulled out of the cabbage and appear magically in your crock or container. put a cloth towel over the whole contraption to keep out dust, and if you're using mason jars, put them in a pan cause they could overflow. Set in a cool place, like a clean basement, or an unheated room and let it sit for a couple of weeks. Check it every couple of days for nasties, like mold and wash off your brine bags, clean off the mold and replace the brine bags. Once the cabbage stops stinkin (cause it does) and looks golden, feels crisp, and tastes divine, stuff it into smaller containers and hope that your friends and neighbors leave you some to eat yourself.

6 comments:

  1. I really love this design AND I love that it makes a hidden smiley face. I think it was meant to be :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your project looks very cool, even with the smiley face!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I didn't see the smiley face until you pointed it out, so I think you're safe if you just keep going on it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love getting a glimpse of your block print process! I didn't see the smiley either till you pointed it out... and if you do decide to redesign, that is one of the fun things about blocks like this -- can be fun and experimental to transform from "blunder" to "just right"!! I haven't tried cabbage this way, but I've done kale this way -- actually salt and plum vinegar -- soooooooooo incredibly yum-a-licious!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE this picture, hon. :)

    ReplyDelete