Fresh tomatillo green sauce with jalapenos, cumin, cilantro, and garlic sauteed in vegetable stock. A low-fat, bright salsa verde for tacos, enchiladas, and grilled meats.
Molasses barbecued ribs get a salt-vinegar brine soak, then a grill basting of dark molasses sauce loaded with onion, pepper, celery, tomato, cloves and allspice. Smoky, tangy, sticky, and built for summer.
Spicy black-eyed peas simmered with cumin, chili powder, dry mustard, canned tomatoes, and Tabasco. A quick Southern side dish served over rice or with grits.
Baked halibut with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, green pepper, and white wine. A low-calorie, veggie-loaded fish dinner that bakes in one dish with bright, savory flavor.
Vegetarian ginger snaps are rolled, cut-out spice cookies deep with molasses, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Egg-free and dairy-free, rolled thin and baked low for a proper crisp snap.
Glazed barbecued beef brisket simmered fork-tender then finished on the grill with your choice of three glazes: honey-spice, apple-mustard, or apricot. A two-stage method for smoky, glossy brisket.
Authentic Mexican chorizo made with pork, toasted ancho and pasilla chilies, whole spices, and vinegar. Cure it for 3 days and the flavor deepens into something store-bought can never touch.
Quick-pickled cucumbers tossed in vinegar, sugar and fresh ginger after a brief salt-draw. A 15-minute Japanese-style sunomono refrigerator pickle, ready to chill and serve.
A delicious and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for spring or summer.
Nuclear chicken wings: oven-baked wings glazed with a double-hot sauce of Tabasco and habanero, brown sugar, vinegar, and ground red pepper. For the chili-head crowd. Serve with blue cheese.
Grilled beef tenderloin gets seared hot then finished indirect, basted with a vinegar-and-ancho Western BBQ mop. Spicy Texas-style barbecue sauce with cumin and Tabasco for medium-rare results.
Tender beef chuck marinated overnight in a sweet-tangy sauce with apricot preserves, teriyaki, and red pepper flakes, then pressure cooked on a bed of onions until fall-apart tender. Big Texas flavor, minimal hands-on time.
A rustic Sicilian appetizer of pan-fried eggplant simmered in a sweet-and-sour sauce with olives, capers, pine nuts, and tomato. Served at room temperature for bold Mediterranean flavor.
Braised red cabbage with apple, a German-style side simmered with onion, cloves, and bay, finished with sugar and vinegar for the classic sweet-sour balance. Vegan and low calorie.
Crisp Japanese cucumber salad in sweet rice vinegar dressing with fresh ginger. A refreshing make-ahead side dish that pairs with sushi, teriyaki, or any Asian meal.
Thai grilled chicken with sweet-savory marinade and tangy dipping sauce. Marinate chicken in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic, then grill until crispy. Serves 4.
Roasted red potato salad with fresh corn, cucumber, tomato, and a cilantro vinaigrette. No mayo, just olive oil and vinegar for a light summer side.
Pickled pink eggs tinted with beet juice and brined in a vinegar-pickling-spice mix with garlic and bay leaf. Classic pub-snack or potluck appetizer that gets better the longer it sits. Just six ingredients.
Cold red beans and rice salad with cilantro, lime, cumin, and chili powder. Zesty Tex-Mex style make-ahead dish, great for picnics and meal prep.
Canned garlic dill pickles with pickling spices, dill seed heads, red chili peppers, and a sweet-salty vinegar brine. Water bath processed for shelf-stable storage that improves over two months.
Shucked oysters topped with fermented black beans and a savory sauce of soy, sesame oil, vinegar, and chicken broth, steamed for just 2 to 3 minutes. An elegant Chinese appetizer that's quick and impressive.
Tangy pico de gallo with a tropical twist, ripe Roma tomatoes, white onion, jalapeno, and cilantro brightened with sweet mango and creamy avocado. A fresh, no-cook salsa that doubles as a condiment.
Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, bean sprouts, and tofu tossed in a rich peanut-coconut milk dressing with red curry paste. A crunchy, creamy Thai salad topped with potato chips for fun.
Hot and sour soup: the authentic Chinese classic with shredded pork, tofu, shiitake, and bamboo shoots in a peppery, vinegar-sharp broth thickened to a silky body and finished with egg ribbons.
Bacon-wrapped chicken breasts marinated overnight in fresh orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and white vinegar. Grilled or oven-baked until juicy and firm with a citrus tang.
Deep-fried whole red snapper with a crispy flour coating, smothered in homemade sweet and sour sauce with pineapple, bell pepper, and onion. A showstopping Chinese-style centerpiece.
Slow-simmered corned beef brisket glazed with currant jelly, served alongside stir-fried cabbage with red pepper, vinegar, and caraway seeds. A stunning twist on the classic boiled dinner.
This dip is good on almost everything IF you like garlic. We dip unsalted pretzels as well as pita chips and or vegetable cudites. It also makes an excellent base for brushetta.
Classic cucumber sour cream salad with dill seed, chives, white vinegar, and a kick of Tabasco. Salt-drained slices stay crisp and cool under a tangy, creamy dressing.
Cantonese-style barbecued pork loin marinated overnight in soy, hoisin, honey, and sherry, then roasted hot and sliced thin for a glossy, sweet-savory platter with hot mustard alongside.
Easy homemade pie crust with a vinegar-and-egg dough that stays flaky and tender. Uses both margarine and shortening for a workable pastry that rolls out without cracking.
Rasgulla, the classic Bengali cheese ball dessert of spongy homemade chenna simmered in light sugar syrup until pillowy and sweet. Four ingredients, big payoff.
Light chocolate layer cake from Hershey's with cocoa, skim milk, margarine, and a splash of vinegar for tender crumb. An egg-free, reduced-fat layer cake that bakes up moist and fluffy.
Louisiana shrimp remoulade with Creole mustard, horseradish, and paprika in a sharp, herbaceous olive oil dressing. A classic New Orleans cold appetizer served over lettuce or as a chilled main.
Slow-baked beans sweetened with molasses and brown sugar, spiked with tangy apple cider and white vinegar. This old-school recipe bakes low and slow for 6 hours until creamy and rich.
New Orleans shrimp remoulade with chilled poached shrimp on lettuce, smothered in tangy Creole mustard-paprika sauce. A classic Louisiana appetizer or main course.
Fall-off-the-bone Southwestern pork ribs baked low and slow in a tangy homemade sauce with chili sauce, honey, brown sugar, and six cloves of garlic.
Pickled onions brined overnight in salt water, then packed in a hot vinegar brine with mustard seeds, horseradish, bay leaf, and hot peppers. Crunchy and tangy.
Green pepper jelly made with fresh bell peppers, vinegar, cayenne, and Certo pectin. A sweet-hot condiment that pairs with cream cheese and crackers, grilled meats, or barbecue.
Sweet onion pickles brined in a golden turmeric-spiced vinegar syrup with mustard seed, celery seed, cloves, and allspice. Crisp, tangy-sweet onions for burgers, charcuterie, and cheese boards.
Refrigerator pickles with sliced cucumbers, Vidalia onion, and red bell pepper in a sweet vinegar brine with celery seed. No canning, no cooking, just mix and chill.
Sweet zucchini pickles with cinnamon sticks and cloves in a vinegar-sugar syrup. Refrigerator pickles, no canning, perfect for summer's zucchini surplus.
Crispy double-fried flank steak tossed with fresh orange peel, jalapeños, and julienned carrots in a tangy soy-sherry glaze. Better than takeout orange beef at home.
Spiced carrot dip pureed smooth with olive oil, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic, and vinegar. A vegan, hummus-style dip served with peppers, olives, and bread.
Haring salade, a traditional Dutch marinated herring salad with beets, potatoes, apples, and dill cream dressing. A tangy, no-cook Northern European classic.
Homemade papaya chutney simmered with fresh and ground ginger, honey, cilantro, and warm spices. A sweet-tangy condiment for curries, grilled meats, and cheese boards.
Chinese dried and button mushrooms stuffed with seasoned pork shoulder filling, steamed and served with plum sauce and hot mustard dipping sauces. A classic dim sum appetizer with rich umami flavor.
Pit-master style Brunswick stew with smoked pulled pork, roasted chicken, okra, lima beans, and corn simmered in homemade stock. Low and slow for hours, packed with smoky, tangy heat.