Steve’s Eats: Festive Pickled Grapes- Not just for Christmas

Christmas is a time where people debate the best cheeseboard, but for me its also about the accompaniments, that’s why I have developed this recipe for pickled grapes. Not only is it great with cheese, but with some salted nuts or great olives its the perfect snacking or addition to a cheeky aperitivo.

Ingredients

1½kg mixed seedless grapes, washed
600ml water
150ml cider vinegar
50ml chardonnay vinegar
100g jam sugar
7 cinnamon stick
7 star anise
7 bay leaves
56g (8) cloves garlic, peeled, finely sliced
40g ginger, peeled, finely diced
20 cloves
40g mustard seeds
40g coriander seeds
150g (2) small red onions, peeled, finely sliced
20g mixed peppercorns
Salt
Pepper

Method

Bring all the following ingredients to the boil and reduce by a third, taste for acid / sweetness, you don’t want it too sweet as the grapes will sweeten it.

Leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Bring back to the boil and add the grapes, simmer for one minute. Transfer to sterilised jars, cool and store.

Serve with cheese or as an accompaniment to a nice chilled glass of wine.