Thursday 3 December 2015

Ferment Your Vegetables

Apart from freezing things, making jam is the only other way I've preserved food so when I was asked if I'd like to review Ferment Your Vegetables by Amanda Fiefer and published by Fair Winds Press, I jumped at the chance.


The book is split up in to three sections. Part 1: Getting Started With Fermentation is an invaluable chapter for a newbie like me. It starts with the very basics of What Is Fermentation? through to The Safety Question, What to Expect When You're Fermenting and Troubleshooting and FAQs.


Part 2: Small-Batch Lactic Acid Fermentation covers recipes for pickles, kraut, kimchi, and more. I like how there's lots of tips given in the recipe notes and how the author makes the recipes more personal by sharing her own experiences throughout the book.


Part 3: Alternative Approaches To Vegetable Fermentation takes fermentation beyond what's been learned so far. This chapter deals with things such as Fermenting in Crocks, No-Salt-Added Ferments and Tsukemono, Sun Pickles, and Other Paths to Cultured Vegetables.


There's so many recipes in this book to try, anything from Pickled Peppers or Simple Salsa to things I've never heard of such as Nabak Kimchi or Mirepoix Kraut. It's a great guide for the beginner fermenter but I'm sure that some of the recipes would certainly appeal to those who are more experienced too.


There's some fabulous photography throughout the book, just look at the colours in this Pumpkin Spice Kimchi, it looks so appetising and inspires me to give it a go.


I've learnt that fermenting can be fun as well as providing tasty food. These are Sauerkraut Pickled Eggs, all different colours. A red kraut will turn the eggs purple and radish pickle brine will turn them pastel pink. I like the one with the marble effect in the bottom right hand corner.


To order Ferment Your Vegetables at the discounted price of £12.99 including p&p* (RRP: £15.99), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG388. 

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas. 

18 comments:

  1. That sounds like a fabulous book - I've been seeing fermentation pop up on so many blogs and I know that this is something that I will experiment with in the future. I too love when authors include personal experiences in a cookbook - I really enjoy "reading" those types of cookbooks, rather than simply looking up a recipe when I need it.

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    1. I've never tried anything like fermentation before so I'm looking forward to giving it a go. The book's written in such a friendly manner with the author's personal experiences referred to on lots of occasions.

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  2. There was I expecting a load of booze and it really is about food! Those eggs are astonishing!

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    1. It does make you think of booze when you hear fermentation, doesn't it? I couldn't get over the colour of those eggs.

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  3. I do agree ... that Pumpkin Spice Kimchi, looks great. I think when we eat, colour does play a part, our taste buds start working immediately !

    All the best Jan

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    1. You're right, the better looking the food, the more it appeals. I think the Pumpkin Spice Kimchi looks great.

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  4. It looks like a really good book Jo, I wonder if it's too late for me to stick it on my Christmas book list x

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    1. That would depend on whether Santa's done his Christmas shopping or not yet. I haven't even started.

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  5. My goodness, I had no idea that there was so much to it! Who knew! Well, obviously the author of this book. I hope that you enjoy experimenting and letting us know how you get on! xx

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    1. I'm always eager to learn something new and this is something which is completely new to me. There's some very appealing recipes in the book that I'm eager to try.

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  6. A good review on what looks like a fascinating subject, although it's not something that I would do.
    Have fun and happy fermenting! Flighty xx

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    1. It's all very interesting. I'm looking forward to settling down and reading more on this fascinating subject.

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  7. The pickled eggs look ridiculously pretty!

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    1. They do. I've never tried pickled eggs but I fancy having a go at making some pretty ones.

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  8. Oh that pumpkin dish looks rather appetising Jo. I've read a little bit about fermenting in Alys Fowler's 'Abundance' but have never experimented. Those eggs look rather special too and would make for an eye catching Easter decoration. Thanks for your review.

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    1. It does, my mouth waters every time I look at it. I shall have to see if I can find Alys Fowler's book and see what she has to say about fermenting.

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  9. This book is for me, Jo. Having Crohn's disease, I was advised to consume fermented foods and drinks for the probiotics in them. I drink Kombucha (fermented tea) and would love to try some of these recipes. Excellent review as always, my friend. P. x

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    1. I didn't realise that fermented foods are recommended for people with Crohn's disease. I'm sure you'd find lots of recipes you'd enjoy in this book, there's so many to choose from.

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