Saturday 20 June 2015

Something to Relish!

Panini con Camembert, Cetriolo & Marmalata Piccante di Ciliege & Balsamico
Camembert & Cucumber Rolls, with Savory Cherry-Balsamic Relish


You could make yourself a cheese and cucumber sandwich, which is always a nice thing on a summers day... Or if it is a typical summers day in Frankfurt, when it is cold, windy and rainy... You could make a little something like this to try and make things better!

Literally feeling a bit "under the weather" , I decided to liven up my little toasted sandwiches, by whipping up this savory, tangy, sweet and sour relish- such a great combination with the creamy cheese and the crispy cucumber!


 

It's always nice to have a little fruit to accompany cheese and grapes, pear or figs are always a favorite on any cheese platter after a good meal. That element of sweetness and freshness compliment and elevate the flavor of almost any cheese. Add a savory and spicy touch and a good splash of balsamic vinegar... And oh wow! You've suddenly got some deliciously good eating on your hands!

 

So, my supper was 2 of my favorite rye bread rolls, with obviously the cheese and cucumber... But all I needed to transform them into something special was the "relish" I made from just 1 handful of cherries, 1 spring onion, a little fresh ginger, honey, oregano, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and less then 10 minutes in the pot cooking!


Are you ready for something different and delicious? I sure hope so... Because I am about to start telling you how to go about making these things!

I say... Try them and see!


 

The cherries need to be pitted and halved, the spring onion and ginger very finely chopped... Your saucepan needs to go onto your stovetop yo get hot... And your fruity little adventure can begin!

 

Start off by frying the onion and ginger in a tiny bit of olive oil with plenty of pepper and a little salt. Fry until the white part of the onion begins to turn translucent.

 

Next, add the cherries, a good sprinkle of dried oregano and some honey, about 1 teaspoon for this small amount (1 good handful of cherries).

 

Once the honey begins to bubble, deglaze the saucepan with a good splash of balsamic vinegar- don't wait too long to do so either, because if the honey gets too hot it will soon become burned tasting a bitter.


Allow to simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly so that the honey and balsamic vinegar reduce down nicely and then set aside to cool... That's it! Your work is done!

 

All I needed to do then was to toast the rolls and to slice up the cheese and cucumber whilst the relish cooled down.

 

A little sprinkle of onion greens made sure that the flavor remained distinctly savory, along with the vinegar, ginger, salt and pepper... And of course the oregano... Of which a little more was yet to come...


Such a great, alternative to an ordinary cheese sandwich!

 

And with a last generous sprinkle of dried oregano... Perfection! Sweet and sour and tangy and spicy... Simply terrific! Try it and see!

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