Brought to you by Always Fresh.
Pickled vegetables have the power to dial up the flavour factor in any meal. Sun-dried tomatoes bring delicious tanginess to Italian antipasto, while salty olives and capers make pasta puttanesca sing.
The method of pickling involves fermenting a fruit or vegetable in an acidic brine to bring out a distinctive savoury taste and extend its shelf life. If you’re ever in a culinary pickle (pun intended), jazz up your midweek meals with a dose of Always Fresh pickled veg — from peppers to cucumber, asparagus, artichokes and more.
For inspiration, we’ve rounded up a few recipes that can be spiced up with Always Fresh pickled vegetables.
01
Pumpkin, capsicum and fetta stuffed mushrooms
Bright and colourful, these vegetarian stuffed mushrooms taste just as good as they look. Crumbled fetta and a jar of Always Fresh Roasted Pepper Strips (drained and thinly sliced) diversify flavour and add saltiness. For a midweek dinner, serve with a simple garden salad to balance the intense flavours of the dish.
02
roast chicken lemon
Roast chicken with preserved lemon
Make this your go-to dinner recipe when feeding a large group, as it’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. The sweet zing of preserved lemons, a variety of spices and the added flavour of Sicilian olives take this roast chicken to the next level. Serve with steamed couscous tossed with parsley and roasted blanched almonds.
03
This simple spaghetti is a hallmark of Mediterranean cuisine. Originating in Naples in the mid-20th century, puttanesca is a rich and salty sauce made from anchovies, kalamata olives, chopped tomatoes and the surprising tang of capers. When you’re short on time, this tried-and-tested meal is easy to pull together using pantry staples in under 30 minutes.
04
Greek meatballs with fetta, oregano and risoni
Juicy lamb meatballs. Fragrant homemade tomato sauce. Creamy, tender risoni. This hearty Greek dish will satisfy the whole family with its perfect balance of sweet and salty flavours, featuring Always Fresh Kalamata Olives to bolster flavour. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, this recipe can be made on the stovetop.
05
More stuffed vegetables! This time around, capsicums are overflowing with tasty olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and couscous. Enhance the taste with Always Fresh Sundried Tomato Strips — which are combined with herbs and vegetable oil — as the recipe calls for both the tomatoes and the oil. Dish the bell peppers up with a homemade basil and rocket Greek-style yoghurt for a smooth finish.
06
Smoked salmon pasta with crispy capers
Pasta is synonymous with comfort food. And it’s even more enjoyable when salmon is involved. This light, family-friendly recipe sees smoked salmon paired with a delicious tomato mixture and casarecce pasta. Simply adorn with crispy capers (try Always Fresh Capers Vinegar) and freshly ground pepper for added crunch.
07
When you think of koftas, what comes to mind? Traditionally, koftas are meatballs or meat skewers created with minced meat, spices, and onions. Put a vegetarian spin on koftas with this seed and cauliflower recipe. The end result? Dark golden koftas served alongside green hummus and a deconstructed Greek salad featuring cucumber batons and delicious kalamata olives.
08
Antipasti is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal, making it a reliable recipe to whet your appetite. Chorizo sausage brings an unexpected smokiness to the plate, rounding out traditional ingredients like sliced eggplant, asparagus spears, olives and trimmed red radishes. Perfect for a delicious dinner.
Brought to you by Always Fresh. Flavour. Packed. The blandidote to boring midweek meals.
