![]() May 7th, 2014
05:00 PM ET
5@5 is a food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. Editor's note: Brothers Matt Lee and Ted Lee recently both hosted and cooked at the James Beard Book, Broadcast, and Journalism Awards ceremony. Their latest book, "The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen" won an International Association of Culinary Professionals award in the American cookbooks category, and the duo are about to launch Cookbook Boot Camp, a two-day intensive workshop for professional chefs and others eager to publish cookbooks of quality. Like many regions of the country, South Carolina's Lowcountry experienced a cold, hard winter that seemed like it would never end. And it wreaked more than a bit of havoc on the ingredients we forage for - and typically find abundant - come Spring. Something about their being less plentiful made us realize how much we love them and wish they had a bigger platform, a more prominent venue, leagues more supporters. It’s exciting to have farmers in the South digging deep into seed banks, finding heirloom grains and legumes that haven’t been tasted for decades. But we’d also like to shine a light on these five naturalized plant ingredients that already grow in abundance and are often overlooked. So this is a call to action to chefs in the South - and elsewhere - to get hip to the brilliance of FREE FOOD. 5 practically free ingredients we wish more Southern chefs would use: Matt Lee and Ted Lee 2. Chainey briar 3. Fresh bay leaves In the 19th century, rice was stored in barrels with bay leaf to drive off bugs - an aging process that these days results in a cooked grains with an otherworldly flavor. There are sweet applications as well—infused syrups that can add layers of flavor to cocktails. 4. Loquat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWr7ua7q3fI?w=425 Home cooks make sweet preserves out of the fruit of Eriobotrya japonica (also known as “Japanese plums”). Their fresh, tart, cherry-meets-Granny-Smith flavor is overshadowed by the almond-like character imparted by the pits, when used in recipes like “Loquat Wine” - a vodka infusion that shows off the whole fruit. 5. Glasswort (aka Salicornia, Sea Beans, Sea Kale, etc.) Previously: Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down. |
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About Loquat, I was suspicious but I've confirmed this fruit is used to make the Asian style dried salted plums called Li hing mui. These are a dried salted plum that puts all sour candy to shame. At first you get the salt, then the sour starts coming in and it has a sweet tart finish. This article has inspired me to incorporate these in to a main dish. Thanks for the article and inspiration.
I learned the tarp underneath/shake the Jesus out of a big branch method of picking mulberries last year. It saves your hands from the inevitable bleaching later. Also, they aren't very good left whole in preserves, they tend to be a bit dry, so using juice only and making jelly is better than a preserve, like with blackberries.
If at all possible, I'd like to give all these items at least a try! I believe I had mulberry years ago, and it would be great to find some around here.
Chainey briar? Oh please Mr Br'er Bear, don't throw me into that briar patch! I'm definitely going to give this a try. This briar was/is famously used to make Sarsaparilla.
I think I will be trying mulberry scones! Thanks for the thoughts.
Oh man, my Grandmother used to make mulberry pie right after we picked those suckers in the hot summer sun. Loved it and miss her. Thanks for the great read.
Can you describe what it tastes like? I've never had one.
I remember them having a very mild, berry flavor. If we picked them early partially ripe, they had a tart flavor as well. Good memories and great pie.
My neighbors mulberry has fruit that tastes like a subtle blackberry. Just sweet and tart enough to want to eat another but not so much to go on a berry frenzy. I've never tasted, but I see how they'd make nice pies and preserves. Thinking about it here, I can easily see them in sauces, with bay leaf, for poultry and pork.
I think I'll have to "raid" my neighbors tree this summer.
Interesting!